Different automatic transmissions are used, depending on model and model year and/orproduction date. All of the automatic transmissions are electrohydraulically controlled with five forward speeds. Automatic transmission applications are given in the table below.
Automatic transmission applications
Model
Year
Engine
Transmission
526
from 911999
M52
TU
ASS 360R
5251
from 312001
M54
ASS 3252
5301
to 312001
M54
ASS 390R
530i
from 312001
M54
ASS 3252
540i
from 111 997
M62
TU
ASS 4402
Automatic transmission identification metal ID plate is mounted to body of transmission.
4 GMtransmission ID tag (arrow) is on left side of transmission housing, behind transmission selector cable, just above transmission pan.
<ZF transmission ID tag (arrow) is on left rear of transmission, just above transmission pan.
The lubricant used varies, depending on transmission and modelyear. Fluidapplication informationis clearly marked on a label on transmission.
On manualtransmission, either ATF (orange label reads ATF-Oil) or a special BMW lubricant (yellow label reads MTFLT I ) is used. See 230 Manual Transmission.
Automatic transmission is filled with either Dexron Ill ATF (blacktransmission ID plate reads ATF-Oil), or special lifetime oil (greentransmission IDplate reads Life-TimeOil). See 240 Automatic Transmission.
CAUTION--
If in doubtas to the type of fluidinstalledin a particulartransmission, consult an authorizedBMWdealer service depariment for the latest in operating fluids.
Tool for bleeding clutch hydraulics (Tool No. 21 5 030)
I21 5 030
The clutch is hydraulically actuated by the master and slave cylinders. With the self-adjusting clutch (SAC), clutch disc wear is automatically taken up through the self-adjusting pressure plate springs, making pedal feel consistent throughout the life of the clutch.
A soft or spongy feel to the clutch pedal, long pedal free-play, or grinding noises from the gears while shifting can all indicate problems with the clutch hydraulics. In these circumstances it is best to star?with a clutch fluid flush, followed, if necessary, by replacement of the hydraulic parts.
NOTE-
The clutch hydraulic system shares the fluidreservoir and fluidwith the brake hydraulic system.
Clutch hydraulic system, bleeding and flushing
If the clutchlbralte fluid is murky or muddy, or has not been changed within the last two years, flush the system and change the fluid. Flushing the old fluid from the clutch lines is done using a bralte system pressure bleeder.
-Remove brake fluid reservoir cap. Using a clean syringe, remove brake fluid from reservoir. Refill reservoir with clean DOT 4 bralte fluid.
Worlting inside engine compartment, remove left interiorventilation filter housing:
Release 3 plastic taps (A) on duct. Earlier models use a single release latch.
Rotate duct inward to remove.
Disconnect electrical harness to hood position switch.
Remove filter housing cover.
Release spring lock (B) on interior ventilation housing and remove housing.
Anach pressure brake bleeder to fluid reservoir and pump bleeder a few times to pressurize hydraulic fluid system.
CAUTION-
*Do not exceed 2 bar (29psi) pressure at the fluid resenfoil when bleeding or flushing the hydraulic system.
Brake fluid is poisonous, highly corrosive and dangerous to the environment. Wear safety glasses and rubbergloves when working with brake fluid. Do not siphon brale fluid with your mouth. Immediately clean away any fluid spilled on painted surfaces and wash with water, as brale fluid will remove paint.
Always use new brake fluid from a fresh, unopened container. Brake fluid will absorb moisture from the air. This can lead to corrosion problems in the clutch and brake hydraulic systems, ;nd will also lower the brake fluid boiling point. Dispose of brale fluid properly.
-Raise and safely support vehicle.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times. Usea professional automotive lift orjackstands designed for the purpose. A floor iack is not adequatesupport.
-If necessary, remove transmission splash shield.
Hydraulic system, bleeding
Worlting underneath transmission, connect a hose from clutch slave cylinder bleeder valve (arrow) to a container.
Open bleeder valve and allow bralte fluid to expel until clean fluid comes out, free of air bubbles.
Close bleeder valve and disconnect pressure bleeding equipment from fluid reservoir.
Slowly operate clutch pedal about 10 times. Fill reservoir with clean fluid as necessary.
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210-6
1 Clutch
Hydraulic system, bleeding (using BMW special tool 21 5 030)
4Working underneath transmission, remove slave cylinder mounting nuts (arrow) from clutch housing and remove cylinder. Leave fluid line attached.
4 Use BMW special tool 21 5 030 to press slave cylinder pushrod completely into slave cylinder.
Hold slave cylinder so that bleeder valve is at highest point.
Open bleeder valve and allow brake fluid to expel until clean fluid comes out, free of air bubbles.
* Close bleeder valve and disconnect pressure bleeding equipment from fluid reservoir.
Slowly unscrew and detach special tool 21 5 030 from slave cylinder.
CAUTION-
Do not remove tool if hydraulicsystem is pressurized.
-Reinstall slave cylinder.
Tightening torque
Slave cylinder to transmission case
22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
-Slowly operate clutch pedal about 10times. Fill reservoir with clean fluid as necessary.
Clutch master cylinder, replacing
The clutch master cylinder is mounted to the pedal assembly directly above the clutch pedal.
Working inside engine compartment, remove left interior ventilation filter housing:
Release 3 plastic taps (A) on duct. Earlier models use a single release latch.
Rotate duct inward to remove
Disconnect electrical harness to hood position switch.
Remove filter housing cover.
Release spring loclc (B)on interior ventilation housing and remove housing.
210-7
Clutch
-Remove brake fluid reservoir cap. Using a clean syringe. remove brake fluid from reservoir to below level of clutch hydraulic supply hose.
-Detach clutch hydraulic supply hose from brake fluid reservoir. Plug reservoir outlet and hose.
4 Remove lower dash trim panel fasteners (A) and (B).
Lower trim panel and disconnect wiring harnesses on back side of panel.
Remove trim panel.
4 Working under dash, remove clutch master cylinder pushrod retaining clip (arrow) and pin from clutch pedal.
4 Remove master cylinder mounting bolts (arrows)
210-8
Clutch
4 Remove hydraulic line locking clip (1)and pull line (2) off master cylinder.
CAUTION. -
To preventbrake fluidspill, wrap clutchmaster cylinderwith shop rags when removinghydraulicfluid lines from master cylinder.
* Brake fluid damages paint andstains carpets. Clean off any brake fluid on or in the car immediately.
-
4
-
Remove master cylinder with supply hose
Remove switch module from master cylinder.
Press locking button (A) to release harness connector.
Pull harness connector (8) off switch module.
Use screwdriver to lever off switch module (C).
Installation is reverse of removal.
CAUTlON-
Switch module must snap firmly intoplace on the master cylinder during installation.
Tightening torques
Clutch master cylinder to pedal cluster
10 Nm (89in-lb)
Fluid line to master cylinder or slave cylinder
17 Nm (13 ft-lb)
-Fill fluid reservoir with clean fluid. Bleed clutch hydraulics as described earlier.
Clutch slave cylinder, replacing
4 Working inside engine compartment, remove left interiorventilation filter housing:
Release 3 plastic taps (A) on duct. Early models: release latch.
Rotate duct inward to remove.
Disconnect electrical harness to hood position switch.
Release spring lock (B) on interior ventilation housing and remove housing.
-Pinch off brake fluid supply hose to clutch master cylinder using BMW special tool 13 3 010 or equivalent hose clamping tool.
