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Famous "Transmission Malfunction" message - Parked on the hill

6K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  MarkieM5 
#1 ·
Quick question, so I've been noticing a weird thing lately. It first happened when I was changing my wheels. So, I jacked one side of the car up (passenger side, just the front) the transmission was is gear. Changed my wheel, put it down, tried to start the car - nothing. Message pops up "Transmission malfunction". I hit "start" button again, car starts fine, no message. That was a month ago.
Yesterday, I parked my car on the hill, at first I was sitting in gear, then put the car in neutral. After about 5 minutes, decided to start the car, same thing, the message pops up, I hit "start" button again, car starts fine, no message.
So, it seems like every time I park on the hill or something similar, sometimes I will get this stupid message.
Had anyone had any experience like this before? Pump was replaced at 68k, car now has 90k.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Good question, I think when I first pushed the button it didn't do it, then the 2nd time it did.
Just to make the scenario clear, I was sitting on the hill waiting for my friend. At first I was sitting in 1st with the car running for about 3-5 minutes. Since I was going to sit there for another 5 minutes, I put the car in Neutral, pulled the eBrake and shut the engine off (not the stereo etc. just the engine). After 5 minutes sitting like this I pushed the "start" button to start the car, got the message. Waited for like 3-5 seconds, pushed it again, car started just fine.
 
#6 ·
I suspect this is normal behavior. You didn't do anything that would initiate the pump prime, prior to hitting the "go" button. Normally, when you unlock or open a door, that triggers the pump prime. Sitting in the car long enough for the SMG to lose pressure and then hitting start, the computer is going to give you the low pressure warning and then prime, which is why the second press works.

For grins, repeat the test, but prior to hitting the start button, hit the unlock button on your remote, or open and close a door. I bet the pump primes and the engine starts.

I don't think this is an indication of a failing pump or any other electrical problem... It's just a use case the Germans didn't program for.
 
#11 ·
I used to have this error when visiting my mum and I parked on her steep incline driveway. intermittently, but stressful nonetheless. eventually my clutch blew out and an indie shop replaced it as well as replaced the trans fluid as I was @94k

I've yet to see the error since and I'm now at 101k. in fact haven't even thought about it until reading this post

My guess would be trans fluid, hope it helps
 
#12 ·
Not quite the same thing but I'll share anyway. I leave my car in the garage unlocked. Sometimes, when I open the door, the pump primes and the car starts right away. Other times, there's no prime and car will prime only after pressing start button (with no start). If I open the door with no prime and just wait, car primes after about 15 seconds. I don't know why this all is, but it's never not started nor given me an error code. I would venture a guess that depending on how long it sits, the car actually goes into a different mode and has to 'wake up'. I say this because the erratic priming of the pump only seems to happen after the car sits unused for 3 or 4 days.


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