ZF 4HP22 acting up

Arde

Arde

Well-Known Member
Site Donor $
Site Donor $$
Messages
4,713
Reaction score
1,921
Location
Cupertino, CA
My E24 automatic transmission ZF 4HP22 is acting up.
When it gets to 4th gear it goes down to 2nd gear. Manual shifting and sport mode of 1-2-3
work fine. Fluid level and color are perfect. 1987 model with ~1/4 million miles.

Is this possibly electrical from its ECU or connections, or is it time to put a fresh transmission?

Is there a big difference between rebuilding the tranny here in California vs. getting a BMW rebuilt?

Willing to do the right thing, the car ride is great, solid, Dinan suspension/chip, replaced all they key systems over the years and my youngest son is starting to drive it so I need another 50k miles out of it or until he totals it.
 
D

dp

Well-Known Member
Site Donor
Messages
1,110
Reaction score
166
Location
US
Arde said:
My E24 automatic transmission ZF 4HP22 is acting up.
When it gets to 4th gear it goes down to 2nd gear. Manual shifting and sport mode of 1-2-3
work fine. Fluid level and color are perfect. 1987 model with ~1/4 million miles. Is this possibly electrical from its ECU or connections, or is it time to put a fresh transmission? Is there a big difference between rebuilding the tranny here in California vs. getting a BMW rebuilt? Willing to do the right thing, the car ride is great, solid, Dinan suspension/chip, replaced all they key systems over the years and my youngest son is starting to drive it so I need another 50k miles out of it or until he totals it.
Click to expand...

Last I heard cost for a ZF-remanufactured 4HP-22EH (rebuilt BY the ZF facility here in the states) was around 4k (sympathetic BMW dealer's cost) and frankly, I am sorely considering just that for my 85 745. Your hunch about the OD 4th gear is possibly right but ATs remain an unexplored mystery for me. Unfortunately I know no one in the yay area anymore who does ATs, so can't provide a referral...
 
D

dp

Well-Known Member
Site Donor
Messages
1,110
Reaction score
166
Location
US
Arde said:
Thanks DP. How about these guys in the US: http://www.europeantransmissions.com/
their figure is $1250. ANybody used them before?
Click to expand...

Hi Arde, thanks for another lead! A couple of thoughts:

1) The prices for shops never include a torque converter, which they will always tell you you need a new one (rmfg) if you want them to honor the warranty for the trans....

2) Our cars (your 635 and my 745) have an ecu that makes for a different valve body (as I recall) SO the number for our trans is 4HP-22EH

3) it is always a good sign if the shop references the ZF uprates/modifications that the manufacturer implemented, these trannies FRY if the revisions aren't incorporated

Hopefully we'll hear from someone with experience with this vendor....

Best regards,

Dale Phelps, Northern Colorado
losgatos_dale at yahoo dot com
 
6

61porsche

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,732
Reaction score
28
Location
Dallas
Arde

Arde

Well-Known Member
Site Donor $
Site Donor $$
Messages
4,713
Reaction score
1,921
Location
Cupertino, CA
I started troubleshooting the electricals but then also checked the fluid and it is brownish and smelly. I guess we'll try a remanufactured tranny.
Where does sfdon have automatic transmission rebuilt?

Any other things I should be refreshing when replacing the transmission? Mounts? Seals?
 
sfdon

sfdon

Well-Known Member
Site Donor
Site Donor $$
Messages
8,219
Reaction score
4,564
Location
sfbay area
I can send you the factory troubleshooting guide for the 4hp eh 22.
Are you aware of the BMW repair kit for the
Connector?
I also have the 745i Motronic 4hp eh 22 schematic

Joe Gisler rebuilds the 745 I tranny- keep
In mind the 745 uses the very rare P1 converter
Great place in San Jose for rebuilding those
In LA at Coupekings shop- reach me phone after a pm

Don
 
Arde

Arde

Well-Known Member
Site Donor $
Site Donor $$
Messages
4,713
Reaction score
1,921
Location
Cupertino, CA
Thanks Don, I did have the troubleshooting guide in PDF, I was just discouraged by the brownish fluid. Will do a flush and maybe try Lucas tomorrow.
 
sfdon

sfdon

Well-Known Member
Site Donor
Site Donor $$
Messages
8,219
Reaction score
4,564
Location
sfbay area
Joe has a few already done and ready to ship. keep in mind that the 745i valve body and torque convertor are different.
01 Rmfd automatic transmission EH 4HP22-TJ 1 05/1983 07/1985 24001215394 ENDED
01 Rmfd automatic transmission EH 4HP22 1 05/1983 07/1985 24001217048 ENDED
01 Rmfd automatic transmission EH 4HP22-XK 1 05/1983 24001216119 $3,816.72 +core

And the P1 can be tough to locate.


2 Torque converter P1 1 05/1983 24411215578 ENDED


Valve body is 745i only -

Part 24341217115 (Control unit) was found on the following vehicles:

E23: Details on E23
E23 745i Sedan, Europe
 
Arde

Arde

Well-Known Member
Site Donor $
Site Donor $$
Messages
4,713
Reaction score
1,921
Location
Cupertino, CA
DP, I had to go local because the flush + Lucas band aid failed and my transmission is toast. It would be nice if you go to Joe so we can compare in another 200k miles who did better... Spoke to Joe and he seems knowledgeable and flexible.

The local option also seems knowledgeable but the user interface involves more expletives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top