BMW 540i 1998 E39 Workshop Manual
Page 591 of 1002
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Automatic Transmission 
- Raise and safely support  vehicle. 
CA U JIOG 
Male sure the car  is stable  and well supported at  all times. 
Use  a professional  automotive lift 
orjack stands designed for 
the  purpose. A  floorjack is not  adequate  support 
4 With engine running and selector lever  in PARK, remove  filler 
plug  (arrow) 
(A5S 360R transmission shown,  refer to other 
illustrations  for location  of filler  and drain  plugs on  other 
transmissions). 
If a  small stream  of fluid  runs out  of the filler hole  the level 
is correct. 
If  no fluid 
leaks out when  plug is removed,  fluid level  is to 
low.  Add  ATF fluid until it starts  to overflow. 
Install filler plug using  a new  sealing ring. 
Hot  ATF can  scald. Wear eye protection  and protective cloth- 
ing  andgloves  during 
the check. If the  tmnsmission  was over- 
filled,  hot ATF  will spill  from the filler  hole  when the 
fill plug is 
removed. 
ATF, draining and filling 
The procedure given  here includes removal  and installation of 
the  fluid strainer (filter). Refer  to illustrations in  Automatic 
transmission  fluid 
pan and strainer. 
Remove  ATF drain  plug 
(1) and drain  fluid into container. 
WARNING- 
ATFshould be warm when draining.  Hot ATFcan scald.  Wear 
eye protection,  protective clothing  and gloves. 
Remove  transmission pan mounting bolts  and remove  pan. 
Remove  pan gasket and  clean 
gasket sealing surface. 
- Pull ATF  strainer  from transmission pump housing.  If strainer 
sealing ring remains in pump housing  remove using a seal 
puller. 
- Installation is  reverse of removal. 
Always  replace seal  for drain  plug and  all 
gasket(s) 
and O-rings. 
Clean  sump and sump 
magnet(s) using  a lint-free  cloth. 
Tighten transmission  pan bolts in sequential  order. 
Using filler plug 
(2), fill transmission  with approved ATF. 
Check  fluid level as  described  earlier.    
Page 592 of 1002
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Automatic Transmission 
NOTE- 
Use new  ATF pan bolts  purchased  from BMW Alternatively, 
clean  old bolts  and coat  with 
LoctiteB thread locl<ing com- 
pound  or equivalent 
Automatic  transmission  fluid capacity 
with torque converter 
7.8 liters (8.3  US qt) 
without torque converter 
3.3 liters (3.5  US qt) 
A5S 360R 1 A5S 390R 
with torque converter 
without torque converter 9 liters (9.5  US qt) 
4 liters (4.2 US qt) 
A5S  3252  (2.5 liter engine) 
with torque converter 
without torque converter 
8.9 liters (9.4  US qt) 
6.2 liters (6.5  US qt) 
A5S 3252  (3.0 liter engine) 
with torque converter 
8.7 liters (9.3  US qt) 
without torque converter 
6.1 liters (6.4  US qt) 
A5S 5602 
with torque converter 13.1 liters (13.8  US qt) 
without torque converter 
5.5 liters (5.8  US qt) 
A5S  4402 
with torque converter 
without torque converter 9.7 liters (10.2  US qt) 
4.0 liters (4.2 US qt) 
Tightening torques 
ATF drain plug  to ATF pan 
A4S 310R  33 Nm (24 ft-lb) 
A5S 360R I A5S 390R (M14) 20 Nm (15 It-lb) 
A5S 
3252  35 Nm (26 ft-lb) 
A5S 560Z 50 Nm (37 ft-lb) 
A5S 
4402 (MI 6)  30 Nm (23 ft-lb) 
ATF fill plug 
to transmission housing 
A4S  31 OR 25 Nm (I8 ft-lb) 
A5S 360R 1 A5S 390R (M14) 20 Nm (1 5 ft-lb) 
A5S  3252  30 Nm (23 ft-ib) 
A5S 5602 100 Nm (74 ft-lb) 
A5S 4402 (M18) 35 Nm (26 ft-lb) 
ATF pan to transmission (M6) 
A4S 310R 
A5S 
360R 1 A5S 390R 
A5S 3252 
A5S 
5602 
A5S 4402 
12 Nm (9 ft-lb) 
10 Nm (7 ft-ib) 
6 Nm (4 ft-lb) 
10 Nm (7 ft-lb) 
10 Nm (7 ft-lb)    
Page 593 of 1002
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240-9 
Automatic Transmission 
Automatic transmission 
fluid  pan and  strainer 
1. ATF strainer 
2. ATF strainer seal 
3. Pan gasket 
4. Sump magnet 
5. ATFpan 
6. Filler plug 
7. Drain plug    
Page 594 of 1002
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240-1 0 
Automatic Transmission 
TRANSMISSION REMOVAL AND 
INSTALLATION 
Removal and installation  of the  transmission  is best accorn- 
plished on an  automotive lift using a transmission  jack. Use 
caution  and safe  workshop  practices when working  beneath 
car  and  lowering  transmission. 
Torx-head  bolts are used  to mount  the transmission to  the 
bellhousing. 
Besure to  have  appropriate tools  on hand  before 
starting  the job. 
WARNING- 
Be sure the  vehicle is  properly supported. The  removal of the 
transmission  may upset the balance  of the  vehicle  on a lift 
CAUJION- 
Tilting  the engine  to remove  the transmission can lead  to 
damaae  to various components  due to 
laclc of clearance. 1 
Transmission,  removing and installing 
WARNING - 
Allow  engine  and transmission  to cool  down  before starting 
work  on the transmission. 
- Disconnect  negative (-) cable  from  battery. 
CAUTION- 
Prior to disconnecting the battery,  read the battery discon- 
nection  cautions given  in 
001 General Cautions  and 
Warninas. 
4 V-8 engine:  Remove plastic  engine cover. 
Early  models:  pry out  protective caps 
(arrows), then  re- 
move  nuts  securing  cover. 
Lift off cover. 
Later  models:  depress  four studs  to release, then  lift  off 
cover.    
Page 595 of 1002
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Automatic ~ransmissionl 
II I 
4 Install engine support across engine bay. Raise and  safely 
support  vehicle. 
Make sure  the car  is stable  and 
we1 supported  at all times. 
Use  a professional  automotive lift 
orjaclc stands designed for 
CAUTIOI\C 
Removal of transmission  will cause  engine  to tip unless en- 
gine support  is used. 
- Remove  splash shields  from underside  of vehicle. 
- &cylinder models:  Detach front stabilizer  bar from stabilizer 
bar 
links. Swivel  stabilizer bar  upward. 
- Drain ATF from transmission  as described  earlier. 
- Remove exhaust system and  exhaust heat shield.  See 180 
Exhaust System. 
- Disconnect driveshaft  from transmission and hang  to  one 
side. See 
260 Driveshaft. 
4 With selector  lever in park: 
Hold 
linkage clamping bolt (A) stationary  when loosening 
selector  lever cable clamping  nut 
(6). 
- Loosen cable clamping nut  and remove cable  from bracket 
(ASS 
3252 transmission  shown). 
- Where applicable, disconnect  vehicle speed sensor  harness 
connector. 
4 Disconnect main electrical harness connector(s) from trans- 
mission  by turning  bayonet lock 
ring(s) (arrows) counter- 
clocltwise. 
A4S 
310R transmission:  Harness connector  at right  rear of 
transmission. 
ASS 
360R / ASS 390R transmission:  Harness  connector 
(arrow)  at right rear of transmission. 
ASS  3252  transmission:  Two connectors  (arrows) on left 
side  of transmission. 
ASS  5602  transmission: Harness  connector at right rear of 
transmission. 
- ASS  4402  transmission: Harness connector  at top  left rear 
of  transmission. 
- Remove wiring harness  from transmission housing    
Page 596 of 1002
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Automatic Transmission 
4 Remove transmission cooler  line clamp mounting  nut (ar- 
row) from transmission  bell housing. Disconnect cooler lines 
from  transmission. 
- Disconnect  both transmission cooler fluid  lines  from trans- 
mission. 
CAUTION- 
Place a  pan under  transmission fluid lines to catch dripping 
fluid. 
4 Remove access  plug in cover  plate below engine oil  pan 
(V-8 models) or left side of bellhousing (6-cylinder  models). 
Remove torque converter  bolts. Turn 
cranltshaft to  access 
bolts. 
V-8 models: Place BMW special tool  23 3 030  between 
engine  oil pan  and front 
subframe (arrows). 
- 6-cylinder  models: Place BMW special tool  11 7 370 
between engine oil  pan and front subframe. 
- Support  transmission  with transmission  jack. 
4 Remove transmission crossmember bolts A, B and C and re- 
move transmission  support crossmember 
(V-8 model shown, 
6-cylinder  models are  similar). 
- Remove bellhousing-to-engine mounting  bolts. 
- Use appropriate  selection  of BMW special tools  24 4 130 to 
hold  torque  converter  in place  during  transmission  removal. 
CAUTION- 
Do not  allow the  torque converter  to fall  off the  transmission 
input  shaft 
- Remove transmlsslon by pull~ng back and down.  Lower jack 
to allow transmiss~on to clear vehicle. 
rrs corn-hi8 Rniiti Riranrd    
Page 597 of 1002
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240-1 3 
Automatic ~ransmissionl 
- Blow out oil cooler lines with  low-pressure compressed  air 
and  flush cooler  with clean  ATF twice before reattaching lines 
to transmission. 
CA UTIOG 
Wear  safety glasses  when worling with compressed  air: 
@ Do not  reuse ATF  used for flushing. 
- Remainder  of installation is reverse  of removal, noting  the fol- 
lowing: 
Reinstall  driveshafl using  new nuts. 
Install new  sealing washers  on transmission  cooling line 
banjo  bolts. 
Install new O-rings  on transmission cooler lines, where 
applicable. 
Inspect engine drive  plate (flywheel)  for cracks or elongat- 
ed  holes.  Replace 
if necessary. 
Be  sure bellhousing alignment dowel sleeves are located 
correctly.  Replace damaged sleeves. 
Checlc to be  sure torque  converter is  seated correctly  in 
transmission  during final installation. 
Use 
BMW special tool 24 2 300 to align three  mounting 
tabs on torque  converter with indentations  on drive  plate 
(flywheel). 
Fill transmission  with  clean ATF until oil  level is even  with 
fill  hole.  Then check fluid  level as described  earlier. 
Adjust gearshift  mechanism. See 
250 Gearshift Linkage. 
NOTE- 
In order  to avoid  difficulties in transmission  removal at a fu- 
ture  time,  use washers with  Torx-head  mounting bolts.    
Page 598 of 1002
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. . 
l~utomatic Transmission 
Tightening torques 
ATF drain plug to ATF pan 
A4S 310R  25 Nm (I8 ft-lb) 
A5S 360R I A5S 
390R (M14) 18 Nm (14 ft-lb) 
A5S 3252  35 Nm (26 ft-lb) 
A5S 5602 50 Nm (37 ft-lb) 
A5S 4402 (M 
16)  30 Nm (23 ft-lb) 
ATF fill plug 
to transmission housing 
A4S  310R  33 Nm (24 ft-lb) 
A5S 360R I A5S 390R (M14) 18 Nm (14 ft-lb) 
A5S 
3252  30 Nm (23 ft-lb) 
A5S 5602 100 Nm (74 ft-lb) 
A5S 
4402 (M18) 35 Nm (26 ft-lb) 
Flex-disc  to transmission output flange 
MI0 (8.8 grade) 48 Nm (35 it-lb) 
MI 0 (1 0.9 grade) 60 Nm (44 R-lb) 
MI2 (8.8 grade) 81 Nm (60 ft-lb) 
MI 2 (1 0.9 grade) 100 Nm (74 ft-lb) 
MI4 140 Nm (103 it-lb) 
Torque  converter  to drive plate 45 Nm (33 ft-lb) 
(flywheel) 
(MIO) 
Transmission crossmember  to chassis  or transmission 
M8 21 Nm (15 ft-lb) 
MI0 42 Nm (32 it-lb) 
Transmission cooler lines  to transmission 
Banjo bolt 
(M18. A5S 4402 transmission) 
Banio bolt 
(M16) 
25 Nm (18 ft-lb) 
37 Nm (27 ft-lb) . . Banjo bolt  cap screw 
(M18, A5S 4402 transmission) 20 Nm (15 it-lb 
Compression fitting 
(MI4 or M16) 37 Nm (27 ft-lb) 
Oil cooler 
bracket to  transmission 
(M8) 21 Nm (15 ft-lb) 
Transmission  to engine 
21 Nm (15 ft-lb) 
42 Nm (31 ft-lb) 
72 Nm (53 ft-lb)    
Page 599 of 1002
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250-1 
250 Gearshift Linkage 
General ........................... ,250-2 Automatic Transmission Gearshift. .. 250-6 
Special  tools 
........................ ,250-2 Gearshift  mechanism, adiustina - 
(automatic transmission) ............... 250-6 Manual Transmission Gearshift ..... ,250-3 Automatic shiftlock, checking function Gearshift  lever, removing 
(automatic transmission) ............... 250-7 
(manual  transmission) ................ ,250-3 Shift interlock, checking function 
Gearshift  lever, installing 
(automatic transmission) 
............... 250-8 (manual transmission) ................ ,250-4    
Page 600 of 1002
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250-2 
I Gearshift Linkage 
This repair group covers transmission gearshift and linkage service  for both manual  and automatic  transmission 
equipped vehicles. 
To  gain  access  to the complete gearshift mechanism it is 
necessary to remove  the exhaust system  and the driveshaft 
as  described  in 
180 Exhaust System and 260 Driveshaft. 
NOTE- 
In models  with automatic  transmission, the  electronic immo- 
bilizer 
(EWS) prevents starter operation unless  the gear  po- 
sition  is Park  or Neutral. 
Special tools 
BMW  suggests the use  of one  special tool  in the removal 
of  the gear shift lever  for manual transmission equipped 
I I vehicles. 
Manual  transmission 
gearshift linkage 
-- 
4 Gearshift linkage 
1. Inner rubber boot 
2.  Shift  lever  mounting  ring 
3.  Bushing 
4.  Shift console 
5. Shift  lever 
6. Selector rod 
7. Spacer  ring 
8. Circlip 
9. Dowel pin 
10. Locking  ring 
11.  Washer 
12.  Gear  selector rod coupling 
13.  Locking pin 
14.  Bushing 
4 Sh~fter spanner 
(Tool No.  BMW 
25 1 11 0) 
MANUAL TRANSMISSION GEARSHIFT