Firstly Hello!

My autobox has developed an odd glitch, when going down any hill (no matter how gentle),if I touch the brakes when I'm doing anything over 45mph it changes down a gear slight pause then drops down again. Depending on the speed I'm doing this obviously sends the revs stupidly high. 9 x out of 10 if I then blip the accelerator it changes up again.

Has anybody come across this before? Any ideas if it is a software issue on the TCM or a Mechanical issue in the box itself?

TIA

(its the 204bhp built 06/03)

Does anybody have any insights on this at all? Please :-/

Hello Victoria, I'm afraid I don't have any direct help to give - but as a fellow 'newbie' I am currently getting forum help with my car, so thought I would try to help. I have had numerous auto cars (and have a 2004 E46 330d Touring now) so have built up a bit of a relationship with the local gearbox specialist! I am not sure whether they can 'diagnose' your car issue over the phone but if you could ask for 'Jeff' he might be able to help from his years of experience. I would give Exeter Gearbox Centre a call on 01392 404349. He will of course try to get some work from you if he can - but he may give you enough free advice/guidance to give you somewhere to start investigating. Best wishes, Fred

Hi Victoria. From what I can tell, this seems to be normal behaviour. The auto box is sensing you are going down hill and is using the engine to do the braking for you just as you would put a manual car in a lower gear. I have read that it can appear a bit on the harsh side though.

I've got the Steptronic gearbox in mine so I'm not sure it does this. I can put it in Semi Auto mode and change gear manually if need be but I will try it when I find a hill. There's not many in Essex.