Drivetrain Malfunction and misfire issues in BMW's part 2 

We drive them like we stole them 😂😂😂 I appreciate the warning lights actually Thank you for the explanation

Awesome video Bob, thanks for the insight and putting my mind at ease a bit. "We drive them like we stole them" is a line I will use again!

Bob Thank you for posting such a great video. Infact i was scared to hell when i had this issue as Dealers are hungry to exploit such issues. Thank you so much

Hi Bob i find your videos very interesting i am a big BMW fan and thanks for sharing valuble info

My drivetrain malfunction was caused by two things.. a broken ceramic on a stuck spark plug, AND a bad vacuum pump. My vacuum pump leaked oil into the pier berg valve. (Boost controller). I have the X3 with a vacuum actuated boost controller. So nice to finally have a reliable X3!!

Thank you so much! Please keep these videos on BMW issues coming! I love my 750 Li but must admit it’s quite scary when you see drivetrain malfunction on the screen! You’ve talked me down from the ledge… Thanks again!

Thank you so much for calm my nervous about this warning light!!!! I am more confident about these errors....

This is perfect explanation to what I thought is going on as I managed to find someone with a ODB2 and got a free look. BMW wanted to charge about $150 just to read a few codes!

Hey Bob Mac, your really informative , I've learned a lot watching your videos. TFS your knowledge 👍😉🙂

Thank you Bob from Bulgaria. Thank you for the insight I have the same problem on F01 750 IL I took it to the dealership waiting for the results.

Hey! Super liked your video. Got a BMW 318 F30, mileage less then 9,000 and got the drivetrain malfunction today. Still under warranty, will take it to the dealer tomorrow. However, was very relaxed after watching your video. Super informative. Thanks mate!

We appreciate your assistance Brother.

Bob, I remember the day that your 435i's fuel pump went out... (graduation day I believe). I really miss picking your brain on a daily basis so thanks a lot for your videos :-)

On my 530d f10 n57 the error went away after spraying egr cleaner down the intake and pouring some dpf regenerator fluid into the tank. Took it for a long drive in manual and in a low gear after clearing the codes. Till date the problem has gone away. No more drive train error or mode mode I knew it wasnt timing chain as one would assume with drive train error because timing change issues had recently been fixed. The only error I had was increase in back pressure (which I assumed it being dpf issues as the car is diesel and I had not been driving it much due to lockdown and all my journeys were cold short journeys which is not a good thing for diesels

This is really helpful...thanks!

thank you for the info i definitely subscribed

Cheers Bob. Good vid

Hey this is incredibly insightful. I think my BMW dealership robbed me. I had the same drivetrain malfunction issue and I got the misfire and it choked and shutdown in traffic. BMW got it & charged me $4700 for repairs then my car broke down on me the same way 3 weeks later while I was out of town.

Great video with explanation. My X5 sport the 4x4 light came on and the engine skipping and the check engine light came on. I couldn’t believe it. Ignition coil #2 was bad. Every time I would accelerate everything would come on and engine skipping. Once changed all fixed.

Thanks Bob, just got my 2014 328i XDrive back.... My mechanic found that my #4 fuel injector was bad/failed. It was dumping raw fuel into the c-chamber and the fuel got into the oil. So, I (we) agreed to replace the injector, as well as the spark plugs and coils; and a couple of other service items. Ran ($) me 1.3 "boxes of ziti" all in. I agree, that the warning (Drivetrain Malfunction), even early, gives the owner a call to action. I do not have scan tools, so relied on my local shop. The cost of the injector is pretty pricey, but nonetheless, all sorted.

Very informative

I was getting it once in awhile on my 535i xdrive, but no codes. Than one cool MN night got on it to merge into freeway traffic and BAM! The loudest squeal and sound of every gear inside the front Diff exploding. This also nearly sheared both front axles, after this there was not a single malfunction for the drivetrain. Drove it on serious limp off the freeway to a KwikTrip. Repair was $6,000 to replace with all new BMW parts. Only 2,000miles later having drivetrain Mal. Indications and some serious slippage feeling under acceleration...Hmmm🤔??? My 96 doesn't act like this at all...Drive safe!

Excellent

Thanks for video.. Can Drivetrain malfunction happens as a reset of coolant leakage inside the engine and/or the fuel system ?! Please advise.. Many thanks

My 2010 750li I did this it was spark plugs paid $2200 to replace them and the car is running great. Great video.

Hello very useful video I bought a car in America Bmw X5 Xdr40E I have the same transmission problem Do the same problems described in your video apply to my car?

Aloha Bob, Greetings from Hawaii, and many thanks for your video! Quick question: any particular OBD scanner you would recommend for a 2009 750li? There are so many on the markets, I don't know where to start from. Thanks again!

Thank you so much for these videos Bob. You did an awesome job. i drive BMW X3 2013 (xdrive 28i). My car has around 103K miles and did not had any major issue so far(fingers crossed). Because of covid-19 i am not driving it regularly. May be putting 200-250 miles per week. I did got drive train malfunction error few weeks back when i was driving in sport mode and hit the gas pedal a lil harder. This error goes away every time i switch off the car. Since then i have seen this error 3-4 times when i accelerate harder. I don't get this error if i keep driving under 2000 rpm. After watching your video today, i read the code using hidden menu and the DTC code is "E114A6". Could not find a lot of info about this error code. The complete error code line read like "01 E114A6 002799 38684691 0". The last value is 0 under Active. Not sure if i need to re-read the hidden menu again when drive train error is active. Any help/guidance is appreciated. Thanks a lot again.

hey supper Thanks Bob

in my case, it was the EGR valve. cost me about $380 for the valve, diagnostic test, and the fitting.

Thank you for the info. Our 2024 X5 BMW gave this code last Tuesday and again today. It has 2206 miles on it. This codes started after I had a message that app updates were available !! (And Downloaded) ???

Hey sir, I just recently deleted the resonators and put catless down pipes on the car, after I put the downpipes on it drove fine for about a week, I was getting in it the other day and it went into limp mode and gave me the drivetrain malfunction code… when I would start and stop it and restart the car it would go away it only came back when I got on it from 1st, then 2nd above 5000 rpms, I feel like if it was the plugs the problem should stay no matter how many times you turn off the car… That being said, it only does it when I jump on that hard… And I got the kids read I got to drive from my function with the code UO200-lost communication ecm/pcm “A”… I did a hard reset on the car… Then got on it that day and I never did it but I’ve been driving the car pretty little what a pretty low without gunning it and it drives fine… any ideas… I have a JB4 tune to install but before adding that much torque and hp I would like to see if it fixes the issues… I’ve find it may fix it… any advice?

I have a 2011 535i with 108k miles and the code that I’m getting is p112f. However, I often get the drive train malfunction but I’m not sure if the 2 are related . Any suggestions ?

Helloo BOB THANK FOR REPLYING BACK TO ME I HAVE THE XTOOLTECH OBD SCANNER

My F12 gave me that message along with a misfire. Next day drove like it never happened. The message came up on Sport + mode down shifting to pass someone. It hesitated as if not getting gas then misfired the whole way home. I thought it was the tranny but now I think maybe it was starving for gas

Hey, I've watched several of your videos. My 2018 330i just won't start. The Drivetrain Malfunction codes P2089 and P0456. Could you tell me what parts I may need?

Limp mode in my case (F10,F90 M5) was always the coil pak.

Hi mate what about in the diesel engines??? F21 1 SERIES??

Hi! I have same warning as drivetrain, the car did cut off power and start being shaky! After some time the warning dissapeared and it still driving well, i went to Check with service operators and said its thermostat but i am not sure of that as i ddnt allow them to change it! My warning came as i was overtaking on a steep! Should i change thermostat?

I just had this happen to me last night. Turned car off for 5 min and back to normal. This morning the car tried to start but didn't until the second time. Taking it in to my mechanic soon and will try to follow up on this post in case it helps anyone else out in the future. I'm hoping it's the sparkplugs/coils. Just spent 3k on engine, radiator hose, and alternator! UGH.

Popular Topic! Hi Bob thanks for anwering so many questions, wow! My 2013 BMW 3xi28 drive train malfunction light came on but went of when it was turned off and restarted. Usually it happens during heavy exceleration or climbing a hill. There have only been a few times where I could tell it wasn't allowing full performance, so I took it to my local repair shop not a BMW shop and the guy ran diagnostic testing $90 but could not find a reason it was showing drive train malfunction, So, I took it to the BMW shop; it was reprogramed , they drove it 20 miles the light did not appear until I drove off happy : ) that it wasn't the worse case and about that time the light appeared : ( . So i called them and they said usually when this happens it needs a new TURBO! $4000 plus change. How can they know that since it didn't give them a code for a new turbo? Also, on about four occasions upon start up I have seen blue-black smoke that had an unusual smell a rich smell is the only way i can describe it , not like burned oil but I did put 100% gasoline in it a few times but have not done that since. One other thing, while its idoling it is a little noisey, not bad but someone asked me if it was a diesel. Its going in another shop this week, Btw- BMW charged me $466 to reprogram and change my oil. I barely had 3000 miles on the last oil change but they required I have it changed to do the reprogram. So, basically I paid $466 to have my oil changed becasue nothing was fixed and they are guessing. The shop its going to is local import shop that is recommended but Im sure they will be guessing as well since it isn't showing codes for the problem. Does this sound like a spark plug change could help this ? Im really tired of paying diagnostic fees. Thank you !

Hey I have Bmw f10 2013 65K this is the first time I get this message, what should I do. Help please

Hey Bob, I got a F20 116i, spark plugs replaced and coil pack too however the car struggles to turn on, usually it only turns on when the car is cold but if its warmed up forget about turning it on, it wont even try to ignite, and also the engine has been replaced so it only has around 10k miles

I was driving my Bmw520i at 110km and little more acceleration caused drivetrain malfunction. What to do

this was kina sexi how hes so knowledgeable. I have a BMW X3 2o21 . This drivetrain malfunction shit came on .2 days later it started that tremble n shake I couldnt ignore. Its brand new .only had it abt 4 months now. Pissed me off honestly. BMW is coming pick it up from my house tomorrow to get in their expensive ass shop. really makes u wonder , for a foreign that is supposed to be made w impeccable excellence

Ima explain my story. I got a 2015 BMW 428i for 58,000 miles just 5 days ago from a dealership. They gave me full warranty on the car like a 3 year 50k miles. I was driving the car the 3rd day I got it and I was leaving a Sheetz and the car bogged or shook like crazy and it said a drivetrain malfunction occurred, and then it said the transmission temp was overheating so I parked it at a pediatrics place and I had to wait for a tow truck for awhile to come pick me up but the car wouldn’t go into reverse and was in limp mode or in neutral while in reverse, a check engine light came on later and it arrived at the dealer and they told me the next day that the car was throwing a bunch of codes for improper gear ratios and such. I just wanted to know how that happened and how can I prevent this from happening again and even if it was my fault or if i did something?

My bmw m235i was driving fine but one night I put it on sports mode plus and I hit the gas, I press the brake a little hard to make sure i don’t hit a stop sign then I do a 180 degree drift. After that “drivetrain malfunction” pops up but it says I can drive moderately. What do you guys think is wrong?

I get about 200 times that message and the car still runs fine

Hi all, could drivetrain fault be caused by a Dpf malfunction? Any help appreciated 🙏

My 2013 bmw x5 4.4 m5 reduce power comes on with this code 2b2b or 2b2d what does this mean ?

PCV valve or any vacuum hose leakage will cause it to, but then again you’d know by the scanner that there’s a leak , also a dirty MAF, and other small annoying things like VANOS solenoids dirty as well , in my case it was a cracked down pipe , good maintenance has kept my 146000 mile 8 cylinder X5 (F15). Problem free though , changed voila and sparks a couple of times , one tensioner and the serpentine belt , all else is just fine , oil change every 5k religiously and air filters every 20,000 miles as well ;)😊

So I took to advanced auto parts and they ran a diagnostics test and 4 I believe cylinders were miss firing and an o2 sensor malfunctioning and also a tcm issue do u think it could be a tune up issue also i did get a lean bank code 1

Based on your probable issues what is the cost average to get these fixed at the dealership. This is my 3rd 7series and the dm indicator came on. I think I may have put a little bad gas but not sure. My car drives perfect and I hardly drive my car over 70 :((( I trust my service advisor but kinda freaking out on what it cost to fix these things?

Hey Bob my bmw 750idrive train when I start it it idle then turn off I put Lucas in and it stayed on when I put it in drive it turns off it's shaking what do u think

I've been driving BMWs since 2005, I now have a 2015 X5 Diesel which was not cheap to buy and as soon as I hit 85K the Amber engine light started to come on. Then I got the Drive Train Malfunction twice. I would scan it. All scans pointed to Fuel Injectors 5 and 6 mechanic said "but it's cleared so you should be ok" Then 3 mos later engine light would come on and again Fuel Injector 5 and 6. Scanned it myself, this last time, and same two fuel injectors (Fuel injector 6 completely rusted out) I thought that was strange. I went on the BMW forums and apparently it's an issue with the X5s and should be a design recall as those last two fuel injectors are exposed to rain/moisture) I changed out both 5 and 6 fuel injectors and car has been running like a dream and then two mornings ago and just three weeks after putting in new fuel injectors. Drive Train Malfunction and Engine light amber, which has now cleared and not come back on for two days. Car is running fine but now I have to scan it again and who knows what it will be. I guess my issue is... In a $100K+ car I don't expect to get this many warnings and this many issues and potentially engine issues when the car is very well maintained. Mostly highway driven. You buy a BMW for the security and confidence you can drive it and not end up with thousands of dollars in repairs every year. My old 2005 325i Bimmer, never had an issue and that straight six engine was fabulous. Much as I love Bimmers. This will probably be my last BMW. They just don't seem to be the same car anymore. It seems to be a racket to have the car end up with major issues once you are over 85k. A five year old car that is well maintained should not be continuously firing off error codes related to the engine. All to say, your video was very helpful and hopefully this next scan shows something simple like a spark plug and not another fuel injector or worse.

Hey I’m not sure if you’ll see this or not but I have some really thick white smoke coming from the exhaust, and from the passenger side of the car with rough idle and misfires on my F10 m5 along with a drive train malfunction and some kinda sweet smelling coming thru vents, what do you think it could be?

Hey Bob What if my 2015 335i never had any issues. Then I changed all my spark plugs and received misfire cylinder 5, injection switched off? Code 140501

Hi Bob just bought an X3 2021 Hybrid. Got the Drive Train Malfunction message on last Tuesday and it’s still at the service center they can’t seem to find what’s wrong. Deeply concerned this won’t be a recurring thing and I get a Lemon Is this normal for a new car.? Any suggestions Regards

Thank u for the info. I have f30 320i also misfiring. Plugged obd in and gave me errors on cylinder 1 & 3 so i changed out all spark plugs and coil pack for 1 & 3. Issue still persists but only on cylinder 3 so i now swapped coil pack 3 with 4 and still cylinder 3 is an issue. Went a little further to check the injector on 3 and that also is working fine. Furthermore we checked if the injectors r getting power with a voltage meter and they r. Now im totally lost & not sure where else to look. Mac seems to think the piston and rings could be gone i need help pls some advice of what else we could check

I turned on my 650i and the drive train light came on I put it in drive and it shook alittle bit I turned it off and right back on and it was like it never happened and drove good? What is that problem?

I had the drivetrain malfunction come up and car started going slow and shaking then turned it off and on went back to normal ,,, couldn’t find any codes in obd though?? 328i

Hi Bob i just have a drivetrain error message 2 hours ago on my bmw x3 f25 the car was not moving , i checked, the gear was at neutral and i could not change to drive i restart the car it took me 7 second to start the engine since then no more error message Please help

Dear Bob, Happy holidays. I have a 228I 2016 and never had any issues with my car. With the heavy rain yesterday in south California, I drove on street and went through an area of water that was relatively high. After that I drove for 3 miles and stopped my car! The next day my dashboard gave me the msg: drivetrain malfunction, road assistant required. What do you think it is the problem? Should I wait for few days maybe the sun will dry any wet spot at some sensors! Any suggestions! Thank you for your help

Hey Bob, so I had my car 535i 2011 diagnosed by an obd 2 and the errors show that a misfire and the injection is turned off so what I did was replace the spark plugs and clean the injectors but the problem is still there and the check engine light keeps blinking what do you think I should do the next step?

I have a 2013 X3 xdrive 28i Drive train Malfunction Warning came and went 3 times now wants to stay on mostly. I got a 130104 VANOS intake control fault camshaft jammed. Any ideas or thoughts? Camshaft Solenoid or sensor ? Easy or hard to change these? Thanks

Bob, I own a 2011 BMW 550i MSport for about 2 years now(75k). Within the first 6 month I got the CEL, power train malfunction light, vehicle running rough, and lost power took it in to dealership I bought it from they replaced both turbos and 02 sensors luckily that repair fell under emissions warranty drove the vehicle about 1 week problem came back same code same cylinder #4 to it back. I get a called that I needed engine assembly or replace timing chain (timing chain stretched out) beats me. I take the car to a second dealership to get a second opinion same diagnosis, I said fine let’s replace the engine, well here I am 1 year later I’m still getting same code p0304, powertrain malfunction, lost of power and running rough.. took it back in they said spark plug and coil had them replaced problem came right back within the week any ideas( besides get rid of it)? Vehicle is back at the dealership… HELP!..

Hi bob i just purchased a 2012 alpina b7 with 70k miles. The car runs great but when i get on the throttle and it goes above id say 4k rpm drive moderately comes up and the acceleration is not there. Now if i shut the car off and restart it i have my acceleration is back and it drives fine. Any thoughts?

I have a mechanic report that i NEED to send it to you, can i please do that?

Hey bob have a 2017 bmw 430 coupe. Couple days ago started feeling a jerk when car will shift gears. Yesterday check engine light started flashing with power train message. Any idea what this could be ? With worst case first.

i have a 2012 535i xdrive the car was throwing cylinder 6 misfire which i replaced spark plug and ignition coil just for cylinder 6 check engine light went away but drivetrain malfunction still on and when i plug the code reader it’s throwing random multiple misfire now and cylinder 6 misfire but no check engine light any idea or recommendations?

Bob, will failing Vacuum pump cause Drivetrain Malfunction only No check engine

I have changed my plugs and coils . Still after 5 days o start in the morning it show again the drive train.. then I went to a local machanic .he said might be turbo need to change as these is some leaking oil in turbo .. but then he said there can be also problem in gaskit and head .. that to do not sure... any suggestions

Hola Bob, what do you recomend, change one coil, the cad one, in pair ( 1 and 3, or 2 and 4) or the 4 coils?

Yyyoooouuu are star

Help me I have a 2013 BMW 528 drive and I have a drive train malfunction light and many more what can I do?

It also can be a Bad Variable Valve Timing Solenoids.

I have a 2010 550i Gt and it’s doing the same thing. Except when I first turn it on it’s already shaking saying drivetrain malfunction. We’ve changed the spark plugs and computer and the issue is still there. Any help ? Thank you !

My car needs an update is it worth it at the dealer? I need some help since it won’t restart, and there is nothing mechanical wrong with the drive train malfunction except it being in power down mode;....

Hello I m have 2013 BMWX3. The problems. Drivetrain malfunction deive moderately on . What recommended can I do?? Thanks yuo

Hello Sir. 2011 7 series with 140K. Have replaced, injectors, plugs and yet the drive train persists. BMW says it's the catalytic converter. 6K repair! I don't believe BMW! They suggested the prior fixes and now we're up to the converter? Thoughts?

Hey bob so mine only happens when i reverse the car, it turns to neutral and i can't reverse. What could be the cause? I was told its the transmission and told to change it, but I'm getting more opinions before changing

Handsome man, thank you

Bob I have No loss of performance/no misfires/starts every time/no vibrations/no strange noises/all functions appear to work i.e sport mode , sport+ etc F21 1 series 2016 UK..????

Transmission Malfunction error message says Do not stop engine or continued driving may not be possible Consult nearest service center. It also will shift into park mode usually when on a little cliff/incline or stop sign just started doing this a few days ago?

Short story, I purchased 2013 528i back in january of 2020. A few weeks later i got the DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION error and the car shut off on me. No CEL. I also got a FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION as well. after a few minutes the car started and it actually drove better than it had the day i got it. I took it to the shop and they of course couldn't find anything. I recently had the same issue and once again, no CEL. because of COVID-19 the dealership has been closed. I plan on taking it back once they open. any thought of the possibilities? car has 51k miles Also, i get a STEERING error once in a while along with a flickering dash...

Hey I've a question, my BMW 528i gave me an alert that my battery is not charging and then after like 20 minutes it gave me another alert that I r drivetrain malfunction, do you think the battery not been charging can cause a drivetrain malfunction?

this notification came on in my 2013 x3 but I feel my engine is also louder than normal can the two be related

What about Drivetrain malfunction with rough idle and loss of power, barely drivable.

That code just came on for me after adding more oil to my car. Is the drivetrain light likely to come on from adding oil or too much oil?

Hello and first and foremost thanks. I have a 08 bmw 528i which has. Malfunction in drive I’ve changed spark plugs and coils then replaced crank position sensor I’m currently getting a bad whistling sound my bmw mechanic says my valve cover leaking and that’s probably the problem for the whistling sound but is that gonna help get rid of malfunction in drive. Mechanic says. Valve cover taking in air which may be causing a misfire just wanna know your thoughts. Thanks in advance

I have a 2017 x3 , diesel , I was just driving home and it lost power going uphill and felt a little shaky. The drivetrain error said I could continue the journey at moderate speed , full performance not available and get it checked . Any ideas , thanks , I enjoy your listening to you , you have heaps of knowledge.

Thanks for the video! What about on a 328D, which has no spark plugs?

The code popped up on my 335 f30. It popped up after I haven’t started the car for a while like 5 days. I just turned the car off and turned it back on and it went away is this normal

Tell me pls , I have 530 D manual version ... I just get this error while driving, after second drivetrain disappear it was not visible even I put "check" via IDRIVE .. Car rides normally no vibration , no chocking simply like before error... Means error is still there ? or it just randomly shows up and immediately disappear? thank you for reply.

Do you think faulty fuel injectors could’ve caused it?

Bob can you help me out please, i was driving on the highway & i put it in sport floored it when the drive train malfunction came on with a lot of shaking from the engine i immediately thought misfire but when i parked turned it off/on & did not come back i still floored it & it felt like normal

I put the wrong gas in my bmw Xdrive 535i now I’m receiving this code is that normal ?

I only had the drivetrain malfunction code come up after I tuned my car to stage 1 with bootmod3. I have recently changed spark plugs ahead of the tune. Any idea why a tune would cause this issue?

Hi bob I have recently changed the high pressure fuel pump, changed all the fuel injectors and fuel rail on 320d 2012 .... But if i tried to accelerate it loose power (drivetrain malfunction) i scanned for a fault code which is P0087. any suggestions

I have BMW 523i n53 2010 and i have this issue since I bought it DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION on my dashboard and never buy Buy BMW again ,..i changed many things even Rocker cover but get worse every single day.... But one thing left i have to Mention i have message for weak battery to so i wouner know weak battery can cause all of this problems on BMW i would much appreciate if someone could give me some information about that thank you.