SMG playing up - M3 (Std non CSL)
 

My son in law to be (possibly :hahaha:) has been having trouble driving back from Birmingham. The car seems to lose power whilst he is driving and kicks into ' Neutral' and then a short while after realizes it is still moving and goes back into '3' or '4' et cetera.

I have tried a search on here but the facility does not seem to like the 'word' SMG for some reason.

Online I can see others who have said they have had problems with SMG that have been solved by a new relay. He has looked at the reservior and it seems low but online people seem to say that the level depends on the engine being on or off and the pump having been actuated or otherwise.

Anyone have any obvious solutions or has anyone had the same issue?

Anymore information on the reservior level would be interesting too.

Pip :thumbs:

. if it's dropping out of gear I'd go for compression spring £4, and pin £20 while your doing it .... Yes do relay, get that out of the way.

Check to see if one side of the bonnet is Unlatched
If the bonnet is not completely shut and you hit a bump it may be the bonnet sensor mite pick up the bonnets not completely closed and drop it into neutral.possibility I've had it on 3 customer cars last week where they check their fluids and not shut Bonnet properly then come in saying it drops outta gear.
Does the selected gear number flash while driving?

Definitely check bonnet switches,as Aden says they can play up, rule out parts that cost the least first before you commit to spending hard earned cash, worn or broken compression spring, I've found usually bring on cog light and no drive,... spring pushes on locking pin, holding selector shaft in correct position, selector shaft ..sends / holds gps in correct position for selected gear, if out of sink cog light on,no drive .:thumbs:

Does the cog light even come on?if it doesn't it's not nesseccarily an smg fault.