Torque Converter Disconnect

SW335 · 05-30-2009, 09:01 AM

I tried a search, and have been reading, but did not find it.

Here is the issue: I just switched from a 6MT to Step after 15 years of manuals. I find the Step a bit "jerky" in D from a stop (its really when you go from a stop in 2 and then no matter what the hell you do it jerks and then it upshifts to 3 when i lift). I complained to my SA and the service report notes that I have adequate updates on the software BUT that if I want I can retrofit to remove the Torque converter disconnect so that the torque converter does not disengage at a full stop.

Here are my questions:

1) Has anyone else done this? If so, how did it go?

2) When driving in manual mode (the majority for me, b/c i like to control the gearing) i really do not notice this issue. Does anyone know if when driving in Manual mode whether the car overrides the converter discoonect? The SA did not know.

Perhaps I'm getting placebo or its just that the stupid upshift is not upsetting the balance of the car in manual so it feels better?

I don't want to do anything that I will later regret. This car will likely end up with a tune so I need a good foundation.

TIA

3pnt4maro · 05-30-2009, 11:32 AM

hmm...in D its really jerky??? What about in DS mode...How does it perform and does it still do the same thing...

Didnt the 2007's have the ZF tranny?

VTECaddict · 05-30-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SW335

its really when you go from a stop in 2 and then no matter what the hell you do it jerks and then it upshifts to 3 when i lift

why are you lifting?

SW335 · 05-30-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3pnt4maro

hmm...in D its really jerky??? What about in DS mode...How does it perform and does it still do the same thing...

Didnt the 2007's have the ZF tranny?

It feels the same in DS mode.

SW335 · 05-30-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

why are you lifting?

b/c the way its set now, every pull from a stoplight is like i'm trying to beat the camry next to me...its snapping my neck back--not smooth and I know what a 335 feels like, b/c i have had one for 2 years and my wife has a 328, so i have also been in bmw autos...(different trans)

SW335 · 06-01-2009, 12:53 PM

Bumping this up--surprised more folks have nothing to say on this?

cstavaru · 06-01-2009, 02:00 PM

Torque Converter Disconnect cancelling will probably solve the issue (this is most likely the reason BMW made this retrofit possible) but it will increase your mileage.

You can do the retrofit and if you don't like it you can revert to the TCD mode at the dealer, you have nothing to lose.

Of course, you should just have bought a manual (

)

carve · 06-01-2009, 02:13 PM

1) It engages more abruptly in DS. If you're always in manual mode, maybe this is a partial cause

2) Even though the torque convertor is supposed to disconnect, the load on the engine clearly is less in N. Not sure if this feature is doing much.

My solution is this: let off the brake, but don't get on the gas right away- wait a half second for the torque convertor to engage.

riceqx2 · 06-06-2009, 08:16 AM

I had my car in for the same problem you describe; "Transmission is having a rolling jolt. As vehicle is slowing to a stop, customer will step on gas and the vehicle jolts forward."
"Caused by SIB 24 03 08." "Submitted PUMA case to get new VO with NIC disabled."
"Customer will have to return." BMW has not yet released the software fix. Expected in June/July.
The NIC is the Neutral Idle Control which prevents the torque converter from disengaging and is a software thing. They said they'd call me when its available.

SW335 · 06-06-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riceqx2

I had my car in for the same problem you describe; "Transmission is having a rolling jolt. As vehicle is slowing to a stop, customer will step on gas and the vehicle jolts forward."
"Caused by SIB 24 03 08." "Submitted PUMA case to get new VO with NIC disabled."
"Customer will have to return." BMW has not yet released the software fix. Expected in June/July.
The NIC is the Neutral Idle Control which prevents the torque converter from disengaging and is a software thing. They said they'd call me when its available.

Thanks! Sounds very similar. Please let me know how that goes.

Notorious · 06-19-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riceqx2

I had my car in for the same problem you describe; "Transmission is having a rolling jolt. As vehicle is slowing to a stop, customer will step on gas and the vehicle jolts forward."
"Caused by SIB 24 03 08." "Submitted PUMA case to get new VO with NIC disabled."
"Customer will have to return." BMW has not yet released the software fix. Expected in June/July.
The NIC is the Neutral Idle Control which prevents the torque converter from disengaging and is a software thing. They said they'd call me when its available.

I'm getting the NIC disabled today for the jolting issue.... Hoping this software fix does come around, as id like my gas mileage back.

05-30-2009, 09:01 AM	#1
SW335 Private First Class 9 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California iTrader: (1)	Torque Converter Disconnect I tried a search, and have been reading, but did not find it. Here is the issue: I just switched from a 6MT to Step after 15 years of manuals. I find the Step a bit "jerky" in D from a stop (its really when you go from a stop in 2 and then no matter what the hell you do it jerks and then it upshifts to 3 when i lift). I complained to my SA and the service report notes that I have adequate updates on the software BUT that if I want I can retrofit to remove the Torque converter disconnect so that the torque converter does not disengage at a full stop. Here are my questions: 1) Has anyone else done this? If so, how did it go? 2) When driving in manual mode (the majority for me, b/c i like to control the gearing) i really do not notice this issue. Does anyone know if when driving in Manual mode whether the car overrides the converter discoonect? The SA did not know. Perhaps I'm getting placebo or its just that the stupid upshift is not upsetting the balance of the car in manual so it feels better? I don't want to do anything that I will later regret. This car will likely end up with a tune so I need a good foundation. TIA __________________ Old: E90 in SG with MT New: E92 in Barbera Red and Step!
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05-30-2009, 11:32 AM	#2
3pnt4maro Long Time Lurker 22 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330I Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: LaGrange, Georgia iTrader: (0)	hmm...in D its really jerky??? What about in DS mode...How does it perform and does it still do the same thing... Didnt the 2007's have the ZF tranny? __________________ 2006 BMW 330i-E90-14.4@96mph-Daily Driver BSM, Premium Package, Logic 7, BMS Powerbox, 19 VMR Wheels Staggered (19x9 and 19x10), 20%Tint, LED Lights, 2 Rockford Fosgate Punch P2 10's with amp in a custom setup.
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06-01-2009, 12:53 PM	#6
SW335 Private First Class 9 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California iTrader: (1)	Bumping this up--surprised more folks have nothing to say on this? __________________ Old: E90 in SG with MT New: E92 in Barbera Red and Step!
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06-01-2009, 02:00 PM	#7
cstavaru Brigadier General 314 Rep 3,262 Posts Drives: 2009 335i M Sport Sedan 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania iTrader: (0)	Torque Converter Disconnect cancelling will probably solve the issue (this is most likely the reason BMW made this retrofit possible) but it will increase your mileage. You can do the retrofit and if you don't like it you can revert to the TCD mode at the dealer, you have nothing to lose. Of course, you should just have bought a manual ()
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06-01-2009, 02:13 PM	#8
carve Major 177 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	1) It engages more abruptly in DS. If you're always in manual mode, maybe this is a partial cause 2) Even though the torque convertor is supposed to disconnect, the load on the engine clearly is less in N. Not sure if this feature is doing much. My solution is this: let off the brake, but don't get on the gas right away- wait a half second for the torque convertor to engage.
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06-06-2009, 08:16 AM	#9
riceqx2 Private 1 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 335XIC... Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	I had my car in for the same problem you describe; "Transmission is having a rolling jolt. As vehicle is slowing to a stop, customer will step on gas and the vehicle jolts forward." "Caused by SIB 24 03 08." "Submitted PUMA case to get new VO with NIC disabled." "Customer will have to return." BMW has not yet released the software fix. Expected in June/July. The NIC is the Neutral Idle Control which prevents the torque converter from disengaging and is a software thing. They said they'd call me when its available.
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