Drivetrain Malfunction Alarm

[Tonyfsu21]

Drivetrain Malfunction popped up today. Never have seen this one before. 2016 F80 with 7,500 miles. The car went into limp mode and was very shaky (think 1985 bronco with low oil) when I came to a stop. I parked the car and shut it down. Five minutes later I started the car and all alarms were cleared. Vehicle status = OK. I'm planning on taking it to the dealer tomorrow as a precautionary measure. Anyone get this alarm?

[Thescout13]

Could be a misfire. Hasn't happened in our F80s, but in my N54 335i that I had a few years ago this happened when one of the plugs went bad. I changed the plugs and never had another issue. Was it under load? If so, that could be the culprit. Could also be a faulty injector, but that fault would be more frequent. Could even be faulty gas.

The dealer will pull the codes and see what failed and should give you a better idea. You can do it at a local auto parts store too for free.

[mkoesel]

Here are some related threads:

https://www.google.com/search?q=driv...bimmerpost.com

[Rxpert]

This exact problem was a recurrent issue on my former 435i. Everything the exact same as the OP.

Took it to the dealership probably 6-8 times and they couldn't figure it out. Kept changing things and doing software updates, nothing worked.

Eventually I just got fed up with it and it was a lease so I just said f@&k it and stopped taking it in. Luckily I didn't have to wait 5min though. A quick shutdown and motor restart would do the trick.

OP, I hope you have better luck than me resolving this issue!

[paliknight]

Please keep us updated OP.

[Tonyfsu21]

Originally Posted by paliknight

Please keep us updated OP.

Will do. Taking the car in today and will post the findings and resolution (if any).

[IDBGOD]

Did this happen while you were on the throttle or just casually driving? Seen a few of these and that was usually when I was full WOT and also tuned at the time.

Can be many things, for the most part the car is just putting itself into a fail safe mode and simply shutting off the car and restarting will clear it. Not much to worry about unless you have more occurrences or the light stays on after you shut it down which could mean something more serious.

I personally wouldn’t take it into the dealer unless it happens again.

[NFAM3]

Originally Posted by Tonyfsu21

Drivetrain Malfunction popped up today. Never have seen this one before. 2016 F80 with 7,500 miles. The car went into limp mode and was very shaky (think 1985 bronco with low oil) when I came to a stop. I parked the car and shut it down. Five minutes later I started the car and all alarms were cleared. Vehicle status = OK. I'm planning on taking it to the dealer tomorrow as a precautionary measure. Anyone get this alarm?

It constantly happens to me. Comes on while driving normal. Stays on for a couple of seconds and goes away. I still haven't figured it out

[waygorked]

I've had similar spontaneous warnings in my F80 for the past year or so, ranging from that one to collision warnings to TPMS indicating 4 sudden flats. All go away after stopping and restarting the car. The dealership has not been able to figure this out.

Last week I had a drivetrain failure code pop up as I was trying to cross traffic, only the car actually died on me. The dealership just told me they found a fuel pump control module failure and are awaiting new parts. I'll keep you posted on whether or not this fixes the larger problem.

[gunsmoker]

I had the malfunction message upon start on my 2016 m3 with 9000 miles on it. It went into limp mode for 15 seconds and then recovered. The dealer replaced a fuel sensor.

[M4Now!]

Yes, I had this alarm when the dealer changed my plugs and one was bad. Got this message under load, shut down and it cleared, reappeared under load.

Dealer diagnosed the misfire, changed the plug, hasn't happened again.

Cheers

[Tonyfsu21]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

Did this happen while you were on the throttle or just casually driving? Seen a few of these and that was usually when I was full WOT and also tuned at the time.

Can be many things, for the most part the car is just putting itself into a fail safe mode and simply shutting off the car and restarting will clear it. Not much to worry about unless you have more occurrences or the light stays on after you shut it down which could mean something more serious.

I personally wouldn't take it into the dealer unless it happens again.

Under load. I am 100% bringing it in as a precaution only as the alarm cleared itself after only 5 minutes when powered off. I'm certain it's nothing, but if it is something I want to know about it.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Tonyfsu21

Under load. I am 100% bringing it in as a precaution only as the alarm cleared itself after only 5 minutes when powered off. I'm certain it's nothing, but if it is something I want to know about it.

It's definitely something to be concerned with- if under load it's likely a plug, coil, or injector.

Even if they clear it doesn't mean there isn't a problem, in most cases there certainly is.

Good luck w/ fix.

[4everkidd]

We had several local guys having the same issue with PetroCanada 94 octane (high ethanol content). switched to Shell 91 and the issues went away

[Tonyfsu21]

Originally Posted by BPMSport

It's definitely something to be concerned with- if under load it's likely a plug, coil, or injector.

Even if they clear it doesn't mean there isn't a problem, in most cases there certainly is.

Good luck w/ fix.

They are saying that it was the fuel. Not sure what to do considering I buy Shell premium. I will change brands and give it another chance. Hopefully I don't see this error again.

[Rude Boy]

Had the same light turns out I had a blown turbo after 3 weeks of back and forth

[Fast4d]

scan for OBD2 codes yet? you should see some if it is engine/fuel injection related.

I get this error when I use too much ethanol

[mastermav]

I had the similar issue - hard to reproduce happens only in the morning - drive train malfunction, misfire, etc.

I had to bring my car 3 times before they finally figure it out.

Apparently there was small internal intercooler leak, which resulted in coolant leaking into combustion chamber. Who could've thought.

The dealer replaced intercooler, since then the car runs strong as usual

[SinatraM]

I usually go with Cliffords 93 (closest) and one day i changed to 93 Sunoco and got a drivetrain error after some spirited driving. same as you turned it off and back on 5 mins later and it was gone xd.

[NFAM3]

I keep getting the drivetrain malfunction. Comes on and goes away sporadically. It's been coming on with a battery warning lately. I'm attaching what I get. I've replaced the battery, IBS cable, and alternator. None have fixed the issue. I'm running out of ideas. What could it be?

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by NFAM3

I keep getting the drivetrain malfunction. Comes on and goes away sporadically. It's been coming on with a battery warning lately. I'm attaching what I get. I've replaced the battery, IBS cable, and alternator. None have fixed the issue. I'm running out of ideas. What could it be?

Your signature says "2011 BMW M3" and shows a picture of an E92 M3. Your "Drives:" in the left panel says "2011 M3", yet your photos are of an F80/82/83.

What is the year and model that you're referring to? Is it no longer under warranty? Is it modded?

[NFAM3]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

Your signature says "2011 BMW M3" and shows a picture of an E92 M3. Your "Drives:" in the left panel says "2011 M3", yet your photos are of an F80/82/83.

What is the year and model that you're referring to? Is it no longer under warranty? Is it modded?

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

Your signature says "2011 BMW M3" and shows a picture of an E92 M3. Your "Drives:" in the left panel says "2011 M3", yet your photos are of an F80/82/83.

What is the year and model that you're referring to? Is it no longer under warranty? Is it modded?

I currently have a 2017 f82. No warranty.