SMG First to Second Gear Shift Delay

mcbaobao · Sat, Jun-20-2009, 06:29:00 AM

Hi I have searched the forum for a similar issue but have not really come up with anything regarding this issue. When I shift from first to second gear about 80% of the time the gear indicator "2" will blink for 2-3 seconds before the gear is engaged and during this time I am without power so it is a bit unnerving when in the middle of an intersection or on a hill. I have tried lifting the throttle before the shift and this seems to help the issue a bit but it still happens very frequently.

The car is a 2002 which I purchased used so I do not have full maintenance records. I know the previous owner installed ESS's SMG software and I am wondering if this could be the issue. I do not remember always having this problem but it has become very apparent lately. I do not really know what a slipping clutch should feel like but I would assume it would affect all gear shifts but my issue is isolated to the 1st > 2nd shift. I found a post mentioning SMG calibration but I am not really familiar with this and since I am not in warranty I want to be sure this will solve the problem. I also heard that there is new software available - do you think this might help? Will the current ESS software interfere if I want to overwrite it with the new update? I think the ESS software is pretty old now so maybe the recent SMG software is even better.

If anyone has an input or experience with this problem please let me know since it is very frustrating! Thanks!

f1refly · Sat, Jun-20-2009, 04:40:36 PM

The SMG clutch position can be adjusted but you need the the proper software. Take it to a good independent shop for a diagnosis and adjustment.

My mechanic friend just made the adjustment on my SMG and it is like a brand new car.

RedM3/4 · Sat, Jun-20-2009, 07:13:56 PM

I think it's hold the paddles back at 40 MPH for a few seconds.
You'd have to call ESS about whether or not their product would be overwritten by new SMG code, or if you could add their code back in.
There is a current recall on smog that includes an SMG reprogram that several have commented smoothed out their SMG, but nobody specifically mentioned your problem from 1-2.

ADS

WillC310 · Sat, Jun-20-2009, 08:13:25 PM

I had a similar issue, but it was the 2-3> shift. They ended up replacing the gear position sensor and some other things and it hasn't happened since.

I slipping clutch wouldn't be a lag in shifting, you'd see the RPM's rise but the car wouldn't be accelerating

mcbaobao · Thu, Jun-25-2009, 07:31:09 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. I will have a look into maybe going in for calibration and the updates... anyone know what else I might look for?

chukostar · Fri, Aug-07-2009, 11:11:52 PM

I'm having almost identical problems with 1st & 2nd gears, already did the smog update with the dealer, still the same... all gears indicators blink couple times when upshift or downshift, 1st & 2nd gears 1 second upshift delay, but engine reves normal

just wonder u have got your problem fixed?
oh, i got the new salmon relay, about to replace it today, see if it makes any difference...

HDK · Thu, Aug-13-2009, 06:01:04 AM

same problem here unfortunately. any updates to this?

williamsalvador · Fri, Nov-13-2009, 07:03:41 PM

i am having the same problem.
anyone has fixed it?
the dealer told me I need a new 11k transmission.
I want to smack them on the back of the head....

toddkageals · Sat, Nov-14-2009, 01:25:03 AM

My car does this under some conditions too. The gear indicator will blink a couple of times before the gear engages. I assumed it was normal. If I am driving it hard, the shift are quite fast. I thought this was just the way it was programmed.

MADHOTM3 · Sat, Nov-14-2009, 01:37:34 AM

my gear indicator blinks similarly but i think it only does it when the engine is cold and i upshift in low revs...

Sat, Jun-20-2009, 06:29:00 AM	#1
mcbaobao Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 560 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles	SMG First to Second Gear Shift Delay Hi I have searched the forum for a similar issue but have not really come up with anything regarding this issue. When I shift from first to second gear about 80% of the time the gear indicator "2" will blink for 2-3 seconds before the gear is engaged and during this time I am without power so it is a bit unnerving when in the middle of an intersection or on a hill. I have tried lifting the throttle before the shift and this seems to help the issue a bit but it still happens very frequently. The car is a 2002 which I purchased used so I do not have full maintenance records. I know the previous owner installed ESS's SMG software and I am wondering if this could be the issue. I do not remember always having this problem but it has become very apparent lately. I do not really know what a slipping clutch should feel like but I would assume it would affect all gear shifts but my issue is isolated to the 1st > 2nd shift. I found a post mentioning SMG calibration but I am not really familiar with this and since I am not in warranty I want to be sure this will solve the problem. I also heard that there is new software available - do you think this might help? Will the current ESS software interfere if I want to overwrite it with the new update? I think the ESS software is pretty old now so maybe the recent SMG software is even better. If anyone has an input or experience with this problem please let me know since it is very frustrating! Thanks!

Sat, Jun-20-2009, 07:13:56 PM	#3
RedM3/4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,397 Reputation: 0	do a search on doing an SMG reset I think it's hold the paddles back at 40 MPH for a few seconds. You'd have to call ESS about whether or not their product would be overwritten by new SMG code, or if you could add their code back in. There is a current recall on smog that includes an SMG reprogram that several have commented smoothed out their SMG, but nobody specifically mentioned your problem from 1-2. ADS __________________ 98 M3/4, Supersprint catback, UUC red tranny mounts, Rogue SS w/UUC dual selector rod, wired V1. Sold to my son, still in the family! 06 SMG/ZCP - April 09, Dinan over Konis, RAC RG63, homelink with off-delay (working), multifunction steering wheel buttons, RacingBrake Front kit.

Fri, Aug-07-2009, 11:11:52 PM	#6
chukostar Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 22 Reputation: 0 Location: Atlanta	I'm having almost identical problems with 1st & 2nd gears, already did the smog update with the dealer, still the same... all gears indicators blink couple times when upshift or downshift, 1st & 2nd gears 1 second upshift delay, but engine reves normal just wonder u have got your problem fixed? oh, i got the new salmon relay, about to replace it today, see if it makes any difference... Last edited by chukostar; Fri, Aug-07-2009 at 11:15:42 PM.

Sat, Nov-14-2009, 01:37:34 AM	#10
MADHOTM3 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 207 In the garage: '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Westchester	my gear indicator blinks similarly but i think it only does it when the engine is cold and i upshift in low revs... __________________ 05 BMW M3 SMG Convertible - Carbon Black/Cinnamon

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Sat, Jun-20-2009, 04:40:36 PM	#2
f1refly Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 255 Reputation: 0	The SMG clutch position can be adjusted but you need the the proper software. Take it to a good independent shop for a diagnosis and adjustment. My mechanic friend just made the adjustment on my SMG and it is like a brand new car.

Sat, Jun-20-2009, 08:13:25 PM	#4
WillC310 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,100 In the garage: '10 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles Area	I had a similar issue, but it was the 2-3> shift. They ended up replacing the gear position sensor and some other things and it hasn't happened since. I slipping clutch wouldn't be a lag in shifting, you'd see the RPM's rise but the car wouldn't be accelerating

Thu, Jun-25-2009, 07:31:09 PM	#5
mcbaobao Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 560 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles	Thanks for all the input guys. I will have a look into maybe going in for calibration and the updates... anyone know what else I might look for?

Thu, Aug-13-2009, 06:01:04 AM	#7
HDK Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 17 Reputation: 0	same problem here unfortunately. any updates to this?

Fri, Nov-13-2009, 07:03:41 PM	#8
williamsalvador Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 71 Reputation: 0	i am having the same problem. anyone has fixed it? the dealer told me I need a new 11k transmission. I want to smack them on the back of the head....

Sat, Nov-14-2009, 01:25:03 AM	#9
toddkageals Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 169 Reputation: 0	My car does this under some conditions too. The gear indicator will blink a couple of times before the gear engages. I assumed it was normal. If I am driving it hard, the shift are quite fast. I thought this was just the way it was programmed.