A/T Repair/Replacement Guidelines
Group 24Automatic Transmission
Bulletin Number
24 09 00
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
October 2000
Service Engineering
This Service Information bulletin replaces S.I. 24 01 93 dated August 1997 and 24 03 98 dated December 1998.
SUBJECT
Automatic Transmission Repair & Replacement Information
MODEL
All with automatic transmission
SITUATION
-- Transmission repair and replacement information Section 1
-- Technical Liaisons for GM transmissions Section 2
-- Technical Liaisons for ZF transmissions Section 3
1. Transmission Repair & Replacement Information
Diagnosing symptoms involving automatic transmissions and determining when replacement is appropriate are areas where specialized assistance is often needed. For those reasons, technical experts on the GM and ZF automatic transmissions are available by contacting the BMW Hotline at 1-800-472-7222. Depending on the vehicle and location, the appropriate expert will ask questions and provide guidance on repair issues. Their primary tasks is to provide you with the technical assistance you may need to properly diagnose a transmission problem and perform the correct repair.
To get a thorough understanding of automatic transmission issues, a GM or ZF TECHNICAL SPECIALIST must be contacted whenever a vehicle with an automatic transmission is brought into the service area, with a transmission related concern. Always have the printouts of fault codes stored in the DME and EGS, and transmission serial number available when calling.
IF THERE IS NO SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN PUBLISHED, WHICH ADDRESSES THE SPECIFIC CONCERN, DO NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO A 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO CONTACTING A GM OR ZF TECHNICAL SPECIALIST, other than verifying the customer complaint or printing out the fault codes.
Once a field fix is available, the information will be corresponded via a Service Bulletin.
The repair procedures that the GM and ZF experts discuss with you are entered into the Hotline contact system. When BMW NA pays all or a portion of an automatic transmission replacement, the Hotline contact system will be reviewed by the Warranty Department to verify that the inquiry and repair instructions match the claim submitted.
All GM5 (5L40E) and ALL ZF automatic transmissions, including Valueline 4 speeds under warranty, replaced without prior authorization from the technical hotline will result in the Warranty, Goodwill or Certified Pre-Owned claim being rejected! This also pertains to "over the counter" part warranty.
We encourage all BMW centers to make use of this valuable resource, including "customer pay" repairs.
Refer to section 2 & 3 for information on contacting the appropriate Technical Liaison.
2. Technical Liaisons for GM Transmissions
As many of you may be aware GM has assigned two technical consultants, Mr. Boris Matthiss, and Mr. Frederic Bachard, to the BMW NA Service Engineering Department.
Mr. Matthiss is located in the Eastern Region and Mr. Bachard is located in the Western Region in order to quickly understand the root cause of any field problems that may arise.
Mr. Matthiss' and Mr. Bachard's primary responsibility is to provide technical assistance on Transmission Applications as shown.
We encourage all BMW centers to make use of this valuable resource and welcome your comments on its effectiveness.
3. Technical Liaisons for ZF Transmissions
ZF has assigned two technical consultants, Mr. Klaus Malenke, and Mr. Carl Barbara, to the BMW NA Service Engineering Department.
Mr. Barbara is located in the Eastern Region and Mr. Malenke is located in the Western Region in order to quickly understand the root cause of any field problems that may arise.
Mr. Barbara's and Mr. Malenke's primary responsibility is to provide technical assistance on Transmission Applications as shown.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
We encourage all BMW centers to make use of this valuable resource and welcome your comments on its effectiveness.
REPLACEMENT OF ANY ZF or GM 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION REQUIRES PRIOR APPROVAL BY WAY OF A CONTACT NUMBER.
If a Service Information Bulletin has been published, which addresses a specific concern, then a contact number is NOT REQUIRED for that specific repair.
Refer to the contact number in the comment section of the warranty claim.
The replacement of a complete transmission without prior approval will be subject to debit.
The GM and ZF Technical Support Personnel can be contacted through the BMW Technical Hotline, 1-800-472-7222, regarding any service or repair concerns relating to Automatic Transmissions.