1999 BMW 323I: check engine light

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Transmission · CA

I just read about the person who had the 1999 that had the engine light and transmission light go on. I have had the same thing. A mechanic friend of mine said that we should change the "lifetime" fluid and it might clear it out. When put on the computer it showed a problem with the 5th gear. We went ahead and paid to have the fluid changed. It was extremely dirty and definitely a good idea to change it....well it didn't rectify the problem. I have been told by bmw that I will need to probably have the entire transmission replaced...bmw is part pushers only, not mechanics.....my car is a 1999 and has only 70k miles on it...I have never had a transmission problem with a car with that little of miles on it. I had someone suggest not using the 5th gear so I am driving in s4 instead of "d". So far it is working just fine, however my engine light still comes on periodically. I agree that bmw should have a long warranty when it comes to transmission especially with all of the complaints I have read and price of this "most wonderful car". At this point I will never buy another bmw. I too plan to go into a toyota or honda.

Filed Oct 3, 2005 · Electrical, Transmission · 115,500 miles · MD

I own a 1999 bmw 323i. Recently, the check engine light keeps coming on along with the sign for the transmission (the exclamation in the circle). Then the power was significantly reduced which didn't allow me to drive over 40 MPH. I took it to the bmw dealer near my home and after they ran the expensive diagnostic test they still weren't sure what the problem was. However, they said they received a bulletin from bmw telling them that resetting the computer for the torque and transmission would fix the problem. However, this was only a temporary fix, as it only lasted for one week. The light still came on and they still don't know what the problem is. This frustrates me that the bmw dealer doesn't know what the problem is. I know of several other bmw owners and they have the same problem. They all have traded their cars in for a honda or some other japanese made car, which I am considering too! However, I shouldn't have to resort to this, as I have spent a lot of money for this luxury car and would like to keep it. Nevertheless, I believe this is a manufacturing problem, as many electrical problems among others have been reported by bmw owners and dealers. A co-worker's had a '98 325 and had only about 70k miles on it and she had major engine problems and spent about $3500 dollars and the problem still wasn't fixed. So, she trade hers in for a honda. I spent about $400.00 and my problem is still not fixed. I am hesitant to pour any more money into fixing my car especially, after my friend spent much more and hers wasn't fixed, and when the mechanics aren't sure what the fix is. I believe this is an across the board type of problem with many if not all bmw's and the manufacturer doesn't want to admit it. Just go to bmwcomplaints.com to see for yourself. I would like an investigation into this problem and a recall to fix these serious problems.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Airbags, Body · 104,000 miles · TX

Cracked sub-frame at 104,000 miles. Dealership stated that it was caused by pot holes, I do not drive over potholes and take care of my vehicle very much so. I am not wreckless, and I have every maintenance record available as well as other warranties. I have had numerous issues with this vehicle including transmission and clutch at 75,000 miles, electrical issues and light indicators turning on for no reason, airbag lights light up at least twice a year, engine light coming on at least once a year, and finally a cracked sub frame. This vehicle has been nothing but cost and is dangerous to drive at this point.

Filed Nov 21, 2003 · Engine · 63,000 miles · WA

At approximately 64,000 miles the engine began running poorly. Engine would quit when accelerating from a stop unless the clutch was slipped and would misfire intermittently during acceleration. After a hundred plus miles of driving the engine warning light illuminated. A check of the fault codes indicated misfires on cylinders no.1, 2, & 6. A check of the ignition system revealed vertical cracks in the insulators of all six, 100,000 mile, factory bmw ngk r5 spark plugs. This problem was reported to service departments at both bmw northwest & bmw seattle. I was told by both that bmw would not help.

Filed Nov 5, 2003 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · MD

I have had a recurring problem with my 1999 323i since 4/30/2003 that the bmw service technicians cannot resolve at two separate bmw dealers in maryland, tischer bmw (where I bought the car), and towson bmw. The problem is that the check engine, eml and dsc (traction) lights all come on at the same time, and the car loses power not able to go above 40 MPH (apparently goes into a fail safe mode). The lights then go out one by one after turning the car on and off about four times, and power is restored to the car. All is well seemingly until it starts all over again! Note: I have noticed that it occurs when going down a steep decline section of road, coasting at about 40 MPH.I can reproduce the problem at will, and usually when you can reproduce a problem, it is fixable. They charged me over $500.00 and did not resolve the problem (they put a new idle sensor on). They have since reimbursed me for this two months later the same exact problem happened again. This time I took it to bmw of kenilworth towson, they have had it on five separate occasions. The first time they reset some default settings and charged me $90.00, not certain if this would fix it or not. The technician stated that it may be a software programming issue, and a recall may be in the works. Two days later the same exact problem happened again. They put a new mass air flow sensor on and charged me another $400.00 (they said that they were 99% certain that this would fix it) it did not! The very next morning while riding to work, the same exact problem happened again! Towson bmw also supposedly sent the dme module up to home office to have it reprogrammed.this did not help either. Towson bmw finally reimbursed me as well for the part that they put on which did not repair it. Manager at towson bmw, have told me that they are baffled and cannot fix my car!