Gearbox fault light amber and car neither engaging nor starting anymore?

niall1 · 26-04-2012, 01:10 PM

Hi Guys

The alternator on my car failed a few weeks ago (49k miles) then 100 miles later the replacement failed. I have an insured warantee on the car so both were replaced under that. BMW wanted to put a number of miles on the car with the 2nd alternator to check if that's ok or whether there's another issue. That was fine while I was away but I took the car back last week to put the miles up myself! I've covered about 250 this week and then this morning when going out my drive the gearbox warning light came on and the car went into neutral itself. I tried turning the car off and restarting it to see if that would clear the fault and it wouldn't restart at all!

Any idea what this could be? I've called the AA to flatbed it to the garage.

Thanks
Niall

PS Where's that thread on the PX for a 996 GT3 RS..

**Mark CSL** · 26-04-2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niall1

Hi Guys

The alternator on my car failed a few weeks ago (49k miles) then 100 miles later the replacement failed. I have an insured warantee on the car so both were replaced under that. BMW wanted to put a number of miles on the car with the 2nd alternator to check if that's ok or whether there's another issue. That was fine while I was away but I took the car back last week to put the miles up myself! I've covered about 250 this week and then this morning when going out my drive the gearbox warning light came on and the car went into neutral itself. I tried turning the car off and restarting it to see if that would clear the fault and it wouldn't restart at all!

Any idea what this could be? I've called the AA to flatbed it to the garage.

Thanks
Niall

PS Where's that thread on the PX for a 996 GT3 RS..

Make sure the bonnet is closed

**alexk** · 26-04-2012, 01:41 PM

Close properly the bonnet.

niall1 · 26-04-2012, 03:08 PM

Hadn't opened the bonnet so will check that? Car did restart when the AA guy came but wouldn't go into gear and gearbox warning light still on.

3wheels3 · 26-04-2012, 03:31 PM

Could be bonnet always drop it from 12" to 18". As I said on another alternator thread lately when alternator fails it can take a good battery down with it. This can cause error lights/codes . Alt & battery should be replaced together imo & experience.

niall1 · 26-04-2012, 03:34 PM

Thanks. Had spotted that and put a battery pack on just in case but no joy..

3wheels3 · 26-04-2012, 04:27 PM

Would not be first time I've heard of bonnet switches failing but think it needs plugging in obviously. After my alt fail carried on with car on trickle charge inbetween but batt did cause some error codes. New battery and ok since.

**cantfind1** · 26-04-2012, 04:55 PM

Sounds like the Salmon coloured SMG relay in the ecu box....replace it should be fine....first place to start as its the cheapest...

niall1 · 27-04-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantfind1

Sounds like the Salmon coloured SMG relay in the ecu box....replace it should be fine....first place to start as its the cheapest...

And the prize goes to cantfind1

(still looking for that 996 GT3RS now my trust has been broken)

3wheels3 · 27-04-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niall1

(still looking for that 996 GT3RS now my trust has been broken)

Especially if it's recently had RMS sorted

26-04-2012, 01:10 PM	#1
niall1 S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 215 Casino cash: $3376	Gearbox fault light amber and car neither engaging nor starting anymore? Hi Guys The alternator on my car failed a few weeks ago (49k miles) then 100 miles later the replacement failed. I have an insured warantee on the car so both were replaced under that. BMW wanted to put a number of miles on the car with the 2nd alternator to check if that's ok or whether there's another issue. That was fine while I was away but I took the car back last week to put the miles up myself! I've covered about 250 this week and then this morning when going out my drive the gearbox warning light came on and the car went into neutral itself. I tried turning the car off and restarting it to see if that would clear the fault and it wouldn't restart at all! Any idea what this could be? I've called the AA to flatbed it to the garage. Thanks Niall PS Where's that thread on the PX for a 996 GT3 RS.. __________________ Too many cars..

26-04-2012, 01:41 PM	#3
alexk Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,785 Casino cash: $29970	Close properly the bonnet. __________________ www.clubcsl.com - I am a BMW Motorsport fan ! My youtube channel is here

26-04-2012, 03:08 PM	#4
niall1 S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 215 Casino cash: $3376	Hadn't opened the bonnet so will check that? Car did restart when the AA guy came but wouldn't go into gear and gearbox warning light still on. __________________ Too many cars..

26-04-2012, 03:34 PM	#6
niall1 S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 215 Casino cash: $3376	Thanks. Had spotted that and put a battery pack on just in case but no joy.. __________________ Too many cars..

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26-04-2012, 03:31 PM	#5
3wheels3 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 773 Casino cash: $21189	Could be bonnet always drop it from 12" to 18". As I said on another alternator thread lately when alternator fails it can take a good battery down with it. This can cause error lights/codes . Alt & battery should be replaced together imo & experience.

26-04-2012, 04:27 PM	#7
3wheels3 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 773 Casino cash: $21189	Would not be first time I've heard of bonnet switches failing but think it needs plugging in obviously. After my alt fail carried on with car on trickle charge inbetween but batt did cause some error codes. New battery and ok since.

26-04-2012, 04:55 PM	#8
cantfind1 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 675 Casino cash: $6490	Sounds like the Salmon coloured SMG relay in the ecu box....replace it should be fine....first place to start as its the cheapest...