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      08-04-2023, 10:47 PM   #1
Wilsonized
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Transmission Stuck in Park - Code: 421342

Hey guys,
A week ago my transmission slipped once, then a few days later again, and again recently but this time it did not come back. had to pull over and noticed it would not get into gear so as to protect itself, a drivetrain mailfunction warning appeared on idrive. I tried changing the oil pan and fluid on my transmission after hearing that no/low fluid can cause the transmission to be stuck in park. I drained the oil and found the oil to be have a watery consistency and was pretty dark. was not milky. I found traces of shavings on the mechatronic valve body and after digging further I'm seeing a lot of people say this code 421342 "position specification: undesired power transmission in neutral detected." is basically RIP for the transmission. I also noticed the bottom of the bell housing was completely wet. Additionally I've been having shuddering issues with xdrive. I pulled the VTG fuse after a tire change recently because the transfer case felt like it was going to blow up. Stuck in park after a week of driving it like that. So a few questions..

I have a sample of oil, how can I check for shavings/overall health?
Is it the transmission? How can I diagnose empirically? I have ISTA.
Is my transfer case broken? How do I rule it out?
where is the oil at the bottom of the bell housing from?
What is the average cost of a junk yard transmission swap?
What transmissions (part numbers if possible) are interchangeable with this model?

Any help appreciated, thanks!


X5 F15 3.0L Gas xDrive35i Msport
VIN Last 7:0K42451
Transmission: GA8HP45X
Transmission Part Number: 24008601174

Thank you!
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      08-05-2023, 02:11 AM   #2
stocktree
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How many miles you got?
You cut open the filter on the old pan to see any debris?
From a quick search, it's possible you may have a electrical issue like a weak battery. Low voltage can cause issues.
How much fluid you drain out? Fluid is normally thin and gets dark.
The transmission is all hydraulic operated. The pump draws fluid from the bottom of the pan, thru the integrated filter. You'd have to be pretty low on fluid, to the point that air enters the fluid pickup, which would cause slippage.
Trans needs to be topped off with fluid while engine is running, in park. Otherwise you'll be underfilled if engine is off.
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      08-05-2023, 01:56 PM   #3
Wilsonized
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stocktree View Post
How many miles you got?
You cut open the filter on the old pan to see any debris?
From a quick search, it's possible you may have a electrical issue like a weak battery. Low voltage can cause issues.
How much fluid you drain out? Fluid is normally thin and gets dark.
The transmission is all hydraulic operated. The pump draws fluid from the bottom of the pan, thru the integrated filter. You'd have to be pretty low on fluid, to the point that air enters the fluid pickup, which would cause slippage.
Trans needs to be topped off with fluid while engine is running, in park. Otherwise you'll be underfilled if engine is off.
165,000 miles
I haven't cut open the filter yet but I'll give it a shot.
Just replaced/registered the battery about 2 weeks ago. No ghost codes or electrical anomalies.
Drained all the fluid that was in the pan. Looks like it had plenty because when I popped open the fill plug (cold), oil came pouring out. Low fluid appears not to be the culprit.
I topped off with fresh fluid at 45C after changing the pan, still stuck in park.

Last edited by Wilsonized; 08-05-2023 at 02:04 PM..
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      08-05-2023, 03:59 PM   #4
stocktree
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Is the trans actually stuck in park? Or is it neutral?
Is the park brake off, and doors closed when you try to put in gear?
When you say it slips, are the rpms rising faster than acceleration?
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      08-05-2023, 04:40 PM   #5
Wilsonized
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stocktree View Post
Is the trans actually stuck in park? Or is it neutral?
Is the park brake off, and doors closed when you try to put in gear?
When you say it slips, are the rpms rising faster than acceleration?
Yes, it is stuck in park. It won't try to get in gear when toggling the shifter, just stays in park. I just get the gong with the "drivetrain malfunction" when I try.

Parking brake is off, doors closed.

When it slips, yes.. the rpms shoot up quickly, kind of like a missed shift on a manual. As if it went into neutral. for sure faster than acceleration.
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      08-05-2023, 05:20 PM   #6
stocktree
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilsonized View Post
Yes, it is stuck in park. It won't try to get in gear when toggling the shifter, just stays in park. I just get the gong with the "drivetrain malfunction" when I try.

Parking brake is off, doors closed.

When it slips, yes.. the rpms shoot up quickly, kind of like a missed shift on a manual. As if it went into neutral. for sure faster than acceleration.
Ok. I'm guessing the car is sensing the slippage and is preventing you from engaging in gear.
Slippage is caused by worn clutch disc's, or perhaps you have a sticking solenoid valve, where a certain clutch pack isn't engaging. If you have the pan off, maybe drop the solenoids. See if there is any debris.
If you clear the codes, will the trans go in gear?
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      08-05-2023, 09:46 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stocktree View Post
Ok. I'm guessing the car is sensing the slippage and is preventing you from engaging in gear.
Slippage is caused by worn clutch disc's, or perhaps you have a sticking solenoid valve, where a certain clutch pack isn't engaging. If you have the pan off, maybe drop the solenoids. See if there is any debris.
If you clear the codes, will the trans go in gear?
Thanks, I'll take it off and look inside.

When I clear the codes, it does the same thing, stuck in park.
I tried unplugging the battery as well to no avail.

I will add that when I cold start the car, it does rev up like +500 rpm for 3 or 4 seconds before coming back down to normal idle. Something it didn't used to do.
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      08-05-2023, 10:07 PM   #8
stocktree
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The solenoid with the green connector is the park solenoid.
When you clear codes, does the code come back right away? Or when you try to put in gear?
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      01-04-2024, 08:50 PM   #9
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Hey any news on this. This just happened to me!! thanks
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      01-09-2024, 12:28 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kiquos View Post
Hey any news on this. This just happened to me!! thanks
Double check you're pressing brake pedal and brake switch is good?
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      02-27-2024, 10:59 AM   #11
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I have the exact same issue, did you end up figuring out what was wrong? My car is currently stuck in my driveway and I cannot figure out the problem. Please let me know!
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      03-16-2024, 08:20 PM   #12
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Just trowing out ideas to check…

I know on my Lexus (not a BMW), the two things that can prevent one shifting from park are the “Shift Interlock Solenoid” and the “Brake Light Switch”.

On the brake pedal, #10 is the Brake Light Switch…


Also, check your bolt next to the pan to make sure it’s at the correct level. Dude… hope you get this figured out.
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