1998 BMW 528i ECT

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240-6
I Automatic Transmission Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
The E39 automatic transmission is filled with either Dexron Ill
ATF or Texaco 80728, a life time oil.
CA UTIOI\C
Use only the transmission fluid that is approved for use by
BMW All other fluids will cause non warrantable transmis-
I sion damage.
Mixing different types of transmission fluids will lead to
transmission failure.
NOTE-
The type of transmission lubricant used can be found on a
stickeron the transmission pan. Dexron
111ATF (blacksticker)
reads "ATF-Oil': Special life time oil (green sticker) reads
'Life-Time Oil': If in doubt, consult an authorized
BMW dealer
for alternate fluid use and current information regarding
transmission operating fluids.
ATF level, checking
Check ATF level if there is evidence of a leak, a complaint re-
lated to fluid level or afler transmission repairs.
The automatic transmission is not equipped with a dipstick.
Checking the ATF level requires that the transmission be at
operating temperature during the checking procedure.
NOTE-
Vehicle must be level throughout tests
- Drive vehicle to warm up ATF to operating temperature.
- Connect BMW diagnostic scan tool DiSplus, MoDiC, GTI or
equivalent to determine transmission oil temperature.
ATF level checking
Fluid temperature
30' - 50°C (85' - 120" F)
- With engine running, switch on air conditioning to increase
engine idle speed.
- Apply parking brake.
- While applying foot brake firmly move gear shift selector
lever through
all gear positions, pausing in each gear briefly.

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Automatic Transmission
- Raise and safely support vehicle.
CA U JIOG
Male sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
the purpose. A floorjack is not adequate support
4 With engine running and selector lever in PARK, remove filler
plug (arrow)
(A5S 360R transmission shown, refer to other
illustrations for location of filler and drain plugs on other
transmissions).
If a small stream of fluid runs out of the filler hole the level
is correct.
If no fluid
leaks out when plug is removed, fluid level is to
low. Add ATF fluid until it starts to overflow.
Install filler plug using a new sealing ring.
Hot ATF can scald. Wear eye protection and protective cloth-
ing andgloves during
the check. If the tmnsmission was over-
filled, hot ATF will spill from the filler hole when the
fill plug is
removed.
ATF, draining and filling
The procedure given here includes removal and installation of
the fluid strainer (filter). Refer to illustrations in Automatic
transmission fluid
pan and strainer.
Remove ATF drain plug
(1) and drain fluid into container.
WARNING-
ATFshould be warm when draining. Hot ATFcan scald. Wear
eye protection, protective clothing and gloves.
Remove transmission pan mounting bolts and remove pan.
Remove pan gasket and clean
gasket sealing surface.
- Pull ATF strainer from transmission pump housing. If strainer
sealing ring remains in pump housing remove using a seal
puller.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Always replace seal for drain plug and all
gasket(s)
and O-rings.
Clean sump and sump
magnet(s) using a lint-free cloth.
Tighten transmission pan bolts in sequential order.
Using filler plug
(2), fill transmission with approved ATF.
Check fluid level as described earlier.

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240-1 0
Automatic Transmission
TRANSMISSION REMOVAL AND
INSTALLATION
Removal and installation of the transmission is best accorn-
plished on an automotive lift using a transmission jack. Use
caution and safe workshop practices when working beneath
car and lowering transmission.
Torx-head bolts are used to mount the transmission to the
bellhousing.
Besure to have appropriate tools on hand before
starting the job.
WARNING-
Be sure the vehicle is properly supported. The removal of the
transmission may upset the balance of the vehicle on a lift
CAUJION-
Tilting the engine to remove the transmission can lead to
damaae to various components due to
laclc of clearance. 1
Transmission, removing and installing
WARNING -
Allow engine and transmission to cool down before starting
work on the transmission.
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Cautions and
Warninas.
4 V-8 engine: Remove plastic engine cover.
Early models: pry out protective caps
(arrows), then re-
move nuts securing cover.
Lift off cover.
Later models: depress four studs to release, then lift off
cover.

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Automatic ~ransmissionl
II I
4 Install engine support across engine bay. Raise and safely
support vehicle.
Make sure the car is stable and
we1 supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjaclc stands designed for
CAUTIOI\C
Removal of transmission will cause engine to tip unless en-
gine support is used.
- Remove splash shields from underside of vehicle.
- &cylinder models: Detach front stabilizer bar from stabilizer
bar
links. Swivel stabilizer bar upward.
- Drain ATF from transmission as described earlier.
- Remove exhaust system and exhaust heat shield. See 180
Exhaust System.
- Disconnect driveshaft from transmission and hang to one
side. See
260 Driveshaft.
4 With selector lever in park:
Hold
linkage clamping bolt (A) stationary when loosening
selector lever cable clamping nut
(6).
- Loosen cable clamping nut and remove cable from bracket
(ASS
3252 transmission shown).
- Where applicable, disconnect vehicle speed sensor harness
connector.
4 Disconnect main electrical harness connector(s) from trans-
mission by turning bayonet lock
ring(s) (arrows) counter-
clocltwise.
A4S
310R transmission: Harness connector at right rear of
transmission.
ASS
360R / ASS 390R transmission: Harness connector
(arrow) at right rear of transmission.
ASS 3252 transmission: Two connectors (arrows) on left
side of transmission.
ASS 5602 transmission: Harness connector at right rear of
transmission.
- ASS 4402 transmission: Harness connector at top left rear
of transmission.
- Remove wiring harness from transmission housing

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Automatic Transmission
4 Remove transmission cooler line clamp mounting nut (ar-
row) from transmission bell housing. Disconnect cooler lines
from transmission.
- Disconnect both transmission cooler fluid lines from trans-
mission.
CAUTION-
Place a pan under transmission fluid lines to catch dripping
fluid.
4 Remove access plug in cover plate below engine oil pan
(V-8 models) or left side of bellhousing (6-cylinder models).
Remove torque converter bolts. Turn
cranltshaft to access
bolts.
V-8 models: Place BMW special tool 23 3 030 between
engine oil pan and front
subframe (arrows).
- 6-cylinder models: Place BMW special tool 11 7 370
between engine oil pan and front subframe.
- Support transmission with transmission jack.
4 Remove transmission crossmember bolts A, B and C and re-
move transmission support crossmember
(V-8 model shown,
6-cylinder models are similar).
- Remove bellhousing-to-engine mounting bolts.
- Use appropriate selection of BMW special tools 24 4 130 to
hold torque converter in place during transmission removal.
CAUTION-
Do not allow the torque converter to fall off the transmission
input shaft
- Remove transmlsslon by pull~ng back and down. Lower jack
to allow transmiss~on to clear vehicle.
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240-1 3
Automatic ~ransmissionl
- Blow out oil cooler lines with low-pressure compressed air
and flush cooler with clean ATF twice before reattaching lines
to transmission.
CA UTIOG
Wear safety glasses when worling with compressed air:
@ Do not reuse ATF used for flushing.
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal, noting the fol-
lowing:
Reinstall driveshafl using new nuts.
Install new sealing washers on transmission cooling line
banjo bolts.
Install new O-rings on transmission cooler lines, where
applicable.
Inspect engine drive plate (flywheel) for cracks or elongat-
ed holes. Replace
if necessary.
Be sure bellhousing alignment dowel sleeves are located
correctly. Replace damaged sleeves.
Checlc to be sure torque converter is seated correctly in
transmission during final installation.
Use
BMW special tool 24 2 300 to align three mounting
tabs on torque converter with indentations on drive plate
(flywheel).
Fill transmission with clean ATF until oil level is even with
fill hole. Then check fluid level as described earlier.
Adjust gearshift mechanism. See
250 Gearshift Linkage.
NOTE-
In order to avoid difficulties in transmission removal at a fu-
ture time, use washers with Torx-head mounting bolts.

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250-2
I Gearshift Linkage
This repair group covers transmission gearshift and linkage service for both manual and automatic transmission
equipped vehicles.
To gain access to the complete gearshift mechanism it is
necessary to remove the exhaust system and the driveshaft
as described in
180 Exhaust System and 260 Driveshaft.
NOTE-
In models with automatic transmission, the electronic immo-
bilizer
(EWS) prevents starter operation unless the gear po-
sition is Park or Neutral.
Special tools
BMW suggests the use of one special tool in the removal
of the gear shift lever for manual transmission equipped
I I vehicles.
Manual transmission
gearshift linkage
--
4 Gearshift linkage
1. Inner rubber boot
2. Shift lever mounting ring
3. Bushing
4. Shift console
5. Shift lever
6. Selector rod
7. Spacer ring
8. Circlip
9. Dowel pin
10. Locking ring
11. Washer
12. Gear selector rod coupling
13. Locking pin
14. Bushing
4 Sh~fter spanner
(Tool No. BMW
25 1 11 0)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION GEARSHIFT

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Gearshift ~inkaael
Gearshift lever, removing
(manual transmission)
Use the accompanying illustration as a guide when removing
and installing the gearshift linkage.
- Remove shift knob by pulling knob straight off shift lever.
NOTE-
Pull up on the shift knob with about 90 lbs. of force. Do not
twist
knob or locating key can be damaged.
- Squeeze sides of shift boot to unclip from center console.
Pull boot up and off shift lever.
- Remove sound insulation at base of shift lever.
- Raise vehicle to gain access to underside of vehicle.
- --
WARNING-
Male sure the car is stable and well supported at all tfmes.
Use a professional automotwe hft orjaclc stands designed for
the purpose.
A floorjaclc 1s not adequate support.
- Remove complete exhaust system. See 180 Exhaust
System.
- Remove driveshaft. See 260 Driveshaft.
- Support transmission with transmission jack. Remove
crossmember from rear of transmission.
- Lower rear of transmission to access gearshift linkage.
CA UTIOI\C
Tilting the engine to lower the transmission can lead to
damage to various components due to lack of clearance.
4 Working above transmission, disconnect selector rod:
* Pull off shift rod retaining circlip (A).
Remove washer (6).
Disengage selector rod (C) from gearshift lever.