[Camg816]

I bout a 07 X3 6 speed transmission the first week of December before purchasing the vehicle I did the normal listening to it and had a local shop take a look at it and they said all good to it and no sounds whatsoever came up. I drove it home a couple of hours and also drove it around town before changing the Oil and doing a coolant flush and two new O2 sensors. I reassembled this car after the work I did to it and I hear a low knock similar to a rod knock when I crank it up . So I take it to my mechanic and he thinks its a clutch issue or an input shaft issue in the transmission so I leave it with him to let him look at it more. The issue is causing the knocking sound and also when you turn the car off there's a cur-clunk while the engine is slowing to a stop. He calls me and tells me that hes felt the transmission everywhere and that there's no vibration and that he can feel the transfer case thumping alongside the audible knock that started this whole issue. I get him to take the transfer case out and there's about 3/4 inch of metal shavings on the plug and magnet and more in the fluid. I have taken the transfer case and no one will look at it cause they say that there are not rebuild kits out there which is hard to believe. I came across this https://www.autopartswarehouse.com/s...ProductContent that I was thinking may work if it can be used with a manual transmission. I looked at the actuator gear and its a little worn but not anywhere like the ones that I've seen online that have caused a fail. There are no dash lights on except for the check engine light that states that I have a problem with the gas cap. Any one ever heard such crazyness? 124,000 miles.

[Camg816]

Does anyone know if the transfer case for an automatic transmission is the same for a Manual? Is it the same throughout the first generation.

[frisbeeguy]

Transfer case is the same model ATC400. It a simple design....clutch pack, chain, and bearings. See https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1280920
Then with ISTA/D or Foxwell N510 with BMW package, or similar, you just run the transfer case install service after filling it with oil.
It is possible to rebuild, but mechanics won't because it's not profitable for them (labor $$). You can also do what SKjfield did (read linked thread) by buying a t-case from steve I think...you still need to run that service procedure with a scan tool or ISTA.
Transfer case rebuild parts: https://cobratransmission.com/index....x&cPath=3_2203

[Camg816]

Wow, that's reasonably priced compared to what I have able to find. All the bearings and chain looked still able to be used, I took it to a transmission shop and they said upon looking at it briefly that there was nothing that should be making metal shavings or causing a knock. They stopped looking at it promptly after they called their parts guy which said they would have to go through BMW for a replacement not a rebuild. I mean I know that technically I could just get a used one for cheap but if a used one is put in how long do I have until there is a problem with the used replacement.

[Camg816]

I ended up making an order with Steve and should know more after it comes. In the mean time I need to get the software to do the calibration once it comes in.

[frisbeeguy]

good decision about making that order....you have a risk with a used t-case so a quality re-built one is better
As for removing the t-case, you don't have to drop down the exhaust to remove it...steve knows steps most likely...just a "juggling" pain, but less work.

[Camg816]

Yeah, to make it all the worse, this car was bought in Dec. and the knock came and my 4500 mi warranty was contacted and they jerked me around for three weeks and they had to have pictures to pay out so I had to open it for the pictures so hopefully I can send in the core drained assembled.

[CanadaeastKTM]

You can try and find a used core to rebuild.
The eBay rebuild kit is around $1000 on top of the price of the core (this or just try and rebuild yours). I’m buying a second one myself so that I can rebuild while it’s off the car and then just swap it when done (also that way I’d rebuild doesn’t go so well can revert to the old worn out one that still barely works. Seems many of these fail. Finding used one is tough they get scooped up very quickly since many folks need them to rebuild. There is a very reputable rebuilder in California and I think used rebuilt units from them range $2000-2500 range that are ready to install. Too bad for the transfer case flimsy xdrive on these cars because otherwise they are really nice cars.

[F30NFifty5]

Originally Posted by Camg816

I ended up making an order with Steve and should know more after it comes. In the mean time I need to get the software to do the calibration once it comes in.

What happens if you don't do the calibration after the swap or even after changing the fluid in the transfer case?

[frisbeeguy]

Originally Posted by F30NFifty5

What happens if you don't do the calibration after the swap or even after changing the fluid in the transfer case?

You cause early wear to the clutch pack, and over time may potentially trigger the "transfer case malfunction" code...no dash lights will be present as these codes can only be seen with proper scan tools.

[Camg816]

So status update: Steven is sending me one of his transfer cases and will arrive on Monday.. I have the fluid for it and I'm currently working on getting a running product with OBD: Serial with INPA NCSExpert.. ISTA+ to do the adaptation.. Anything else I'm lacking? I'm gonna have to put it in overnight cause I'm driving it to Dallas on Tuesday. I'm excited to be running last minute on this.. MLK day shipping complications put me in a tight spot.

[frisbeeguy]

Originally Posted by Camg816

So status update: Steven is sending me one of his transfer cases and will arrive on Monday.. I have the fluid for it and I'm currently working on getting a running product with OBD: Serial with INPA NCSExpert.. ISTA+ to do the adaptation.. Anything else I'm lacking? I'm gonna have to put it in overnight cause I'm driving it to Dallas on Tuesday. I'm excited to be running last minute on this.. MLK day shipping complications put me in a tight spot.

Nothing else you're missing. You only really need ISTA+ for the job...just browse through service functions, experiment with it, etc...until you feel comfortable using it. Just make sure you have plenty of space on your hard drive
Here's how the service function will look like:

In my case it's grayed out since I'm not currently connected to the car, but once you are, it'll turn black. Just follow the on-screen directions and the software does all the work

[Camg816]

Yeah I put it on and can run it all.. My R53 and R50 aren't responding to the OBD connection. I'm thinking since they are a 04 and 06 and the E83 is a 07 that the cable I have works for after 06 and it'll work on the x3

[frisbeeguy]

Originally Posted by Camg816

Yeah I put it on and can run it all.. My R53 and R50 aren't responding to the OBD connection. I'm thinking since they are a 04 and 06 and the E83 is a 07 that the cable I have works for after 06 and it'll work on the x3

Older Bimmer's need an extra circular cable...don't remember what it's called (edit: that may be for programming only...I think K+DCAN should still work with a flip of the top switch), but bimmergeeks store may have it...
If you have a lever on top of the K+DCAN cable, flick the switch on top and see if it works...otherwise I'd recommend a cable from Bimmergeeks.

[Camg816]

I need Help, I have BMW Standard tools downloaded and am trying to set it up and when I go to open the BMW coding tool.exe file it gives me an invalid picture error. Does any one know why this would happen I downloaded a couple versions of the coding tool or Dr. Gini or what ever you call it. I've had a time with all the software but have to get it sorted out by Tuesday. Thanks in advance.

[frisbeeguy]

You don't need the coding tool, just ISTA/D. See my very first thread here: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1397288

you also have windows 10, windows 7 is the best Operating environment for BMW tools in general (all updates and frameworks have to be installed...by running windows update)

[Camg816]

oh, does it make a difference that I've been installing everything compatible to windows XP? Are there ways to get the R50 and R53 added to the INPA database?

[Camg816]

Setup.exe for BMW Standard tools gives an error 1152 Error extracting Setup.INI to the temporary location. Any ideas??

[frisbeeguy]

Originally Posted by Camg816

Setup.exe for BMW Standard tools gives an error 1152 Error extracting Setup.INI to the temporary location. Any ideas??

Yes, you should be running Windows 7 to run these softwares. Setting them up under Windows XP compatibility will not help. I don't think they will work in Windows 10 as intended.
The extraction error sounds like you've been using your browsers temporary files folder as a place of download. You should create a new folder and download all the setup files there (can be in your documents folder, etc.)...once all setup files are in one location (not the downloads folder), then installation should go smoothly. I'd suggest to 1) delete your existing ones, 2) Run a registry cleaner such as CCleaner, 3) re-download all files.

[Camg816]

So i need to run a VM of 7 and start over?

[frisbeeguy]

Ideally yes. However, try to follow this video first and see if you can get ISTA/D working:

[Camg816]

Got the car back and it has a shutter or rubbing at low speed now cant tell when you get on the highway or going down the road. I am gonna work tonight on getting ISTA working so hopefully itll be alright. Kinda nervous about driving to Texas in the morning but I gotta so...