How Much Does It Cost To Fix Drivetrain Malfunction On BMW?

Owning a BMW is an awesome experience because of the luxury, power, and breathtaking style.

However, every BMW owner gets frustrated when there’s any warning sign on the dashboard, but the second the Drivetrain Malfunction warning occurs everybody’s heart starts to race. So let’s see what’s the Drivetrain Malfunction on BMW.

what is The drivetrain malfunction in BMW?

The drivetrain is a system that transfers the engine power to the wheel. The drivetrain malfunction warning indicates that there is some problem in the drivetrain system. This system includes many components like spark plug, transmission, fuel injectors, etc.

So, the malfunction issue can occur on one or more components in the drivetrain system. And, it’s very important to identify the actual reason behind this error, so we can calculate the cost of repairing it.

How much does it cost to fix the BMW drivetrain malfunction?

A Drivetrain Malfunction occurs when the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) detects any issue with any component related to the drivetrain system, which decreases the performance and compromises the safety and reliability of your vehicle. So, the expected cost to fix the drivetrain malfunction issue is above $2,200 depending on your location and the component causing this error.

Common symptoms of a Drivetrain Malfunction BMW Error?

There can be many reasons for a drivetrain malfunction issue, which can affect the vehicle in many ways. To resolve the issue, first you should check for the common symptoms it will help you determine the exact problem that is causing this malfunction. Here are some of the symptoms:-

• Fault Code on the dashboard display
• Smoke coming from the exhaust
• Unusual shaking & vibration of the vehicle
• The check engine light turns on
• The transmission won’t change gears, or have problems while changing gears (especially higher gears)
• Rough Idling (it can be caused by many components related to the drivetrain)
• Loss of acceleration power (overall less power)
• The vehicle won’t start

Causes of Drivetrain Malfunction BMW?

There are several issues that can cause the drivetrain malfunction in the BMW. To find out the exact cause of your vehicle’s malfunction error it is necessary to use an error code scanner to find the root cause.

But, there are some common causes for drivetrain malfunction, let’s look into them:-

1. Faulty Spark Plug

The Spark Plug is an important component of the engine’s ignition system, and the spark plug is the primary suspect for the drivetrain malfunction error.

This can happen when one or more spark plugs not working properly as expected. And, this can cause many errors when they get old and replaced at the right time. You could replace faulty spark plugs and remove the error code with a compatible BMW OBD-II scanner.

2. Ignition Coils Malfunction

Ignition coil malfunction is another common reason for the drivetrain malfunction. I would recommend the ignition coil should be replaced every 50,000 to 75,000 miles.

When the vehicle is pushed to its limits the ignition coil gets several wear and tear and it’s necessary to replace it. In older vehicles the maximum lifespan is about 1,30,000 miles, after that, it started showing the drivetrain malfunction.

The ignition coil can be loose due to several road bumps, so just try tightening the ignition coil and remove the error code, but if the code isn’t fixed it’s better to replace the ignition coil.

3. Fuel Injector Issue

The primary role of the fuel injector is to pump fuel into the engine’s cylinder. And, if any issue occurs in the fuel injector like leaking, or clogging, then the balance of the air-fuel mixture gets disrupted and it will cause misfires in the engine. Which will eventually show the drivetrain malfunction error.

4. Fuel Pump Malfunction

The fuel pump delivers fuel from the tank to the engine, and when it gets faulty the fuel pump doesn’t deliver an adequate amount of fuel to the engine and the engine starts running lean.

A lean engine can be the reason for many issues including the drivetrain malfunction.

To fix this issue you can clean the fueling system or you may need to change the whole components.

5. Catalytic Converter Malfunction

Catalytic converters reduce the harmful gases emission from the exhaust pipe. It converts harmful gases into less environmentally harmful gases.

So, if this system gets clogged the engine performance gets reduced due to inefficient exhaust emissions. Which overall affects the proper function of the engine, and if the engine doesn’t perform well then the malfunction error will pop up.

6. Using Low-Quality Fuel

Fuel quality is a crucial part of the performance of luxury vehicles, especially in BMW. Using cheap fuel quality can interrupt the balance in adequate combustion, which will lead to many engine-related issues such as misfire, knocking, or engine damage. This is another reason for the drivetrain malfunction error.

Factors Influencing the Cost To Fix Drivetrain Malfunction

As stated earlier the the actual cost to fix the drivetrain malfunction will vary for everyone because this cost will completely depend on your location, and the components that need to be fixed or replaced.

So, let’s discuss what are the major factors that will influence the cost of fixing the drivetrain malfunction error.

1. The Process Of Diagnosis

The first step is to find the root cause of the drivetrain malfunction the vehicle needs a full diagnosis. The BMW comes equipped with an onboard diagnosis system, but to find out the exact problem still may need professional tools and expertise.

The cost of the diagnosis process will depend on the time required to find out the cause of the error and also the complexity of the problem.

2. Labor Charge

After the detection of the problem, the components need to be fixed or replaced, and to do that it needs an experienced technician.

The labor cost is another cost which gets adds up to the overall cost of fixing the error code. This cost completely depends on the complexity of the problem, which means an experienced technician with specialized knowledge is needed. Costs are also affected by the location of the auto shop, reputation, expertise & experience of the shop handling luxury cars.

3. Component Replacement

If the faulty component can be fixed then the cost will not be much, but most likely you have to replace the malfunctioning component, where the cost will be according to the component.

If you choose to replace the component with an OEM (Orignal Equipment Manufacturer) the cost will increase, because the OEM parts are expensive than the aftermarket components.

4. Vehicle Model and Age

The model and age of the vehicle play a crucial role in the overall cost. The older model car parts are very hard to source, which increases the basic price, and some high-power new models have complex drivetrain systems which also adds up to the higher repair cost.

Conclusion

To calculate the exact cause first, you need to identify the cause, the cost to fix the drivetrain malfunction can depend on many factors such as the location, the seriousness of the problem, the replacement of the components, etc.

After seeing this warning you should fix the issue as soon as possible, to prevent further damage to your vehicle’s engine or overall performance.

If you have questions feel free to ask in the comment section below.

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