Skip Navigation

Login / Register.

  • Visit BMWUSA.com/BMWi
  • CONTACT BMW
  • FAQs
  • AWARDS
  • VIDEOS
  • TOOLS
  • FORUM
The Circuit
The Official BMW i Forum

Welcome to The Circuit – the official place to connect with other EV drivers about the BMW i3, the BMW i8, and the electric lifestyle. Share stories, ask questions, and continue the conversation as we all journey into the future.

Curious about switching to the electric lifestyle? Below you'll find several helpful tools to make the transition as seamless as possible.

Watch the videos below to learn about various BMW i3 features and take advantage of helpful tips on how to get the most out of every drive.

Welcome to The Circuit – the official place to connect with other EV drivers about the BMW i3, the BMW i8, and the electric lifestyle. Share stories, ask questions, and continue the conversation as we all journey into the future.

Find out the answers to the most commonly asked questions about BMW i vehicles. If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to our BMW Concierge team.

If you would like to speak directly with a BMW i Representative, you can contact BMW via the methods below, or visit the "Ask BMW" section in the forum to get answers directly from the BMW Experts.

Welcome to The Circuit. This is your official place to connect with other EV drivers about the BMW i3, the BMW i8, and the electric lifestyle. So go ahead and start the conversation.

  • The Circuit: The Official BMW i Forum
  • Maintenance
  • Drive train malfunction error message
  • Bulletin Board
    • Upcoming EVents
    • Official BMW i News
    • Latest EV News
    • Tech Updates
  • BMW i3
    • Performance
    • Range
    • Maintenance
    • Charging
    • BMW i3 with Range Extender
  • BMW i8
    • Performance
    • Range
    • Maintenance
    • Charging
  • General
    • Savings
    • Buying & Leasing
    • Innovations
    • Sustainable Living
    • Born Electric Experiences
  • Ask BMW
    • Feedback & Suggestions
    • BMW i Product Expert & BMW i Concierge Questions
    • Commonly Asked Questions
Browse for a file from your computer and upload it to Imgur, then insert the image into your post. A history of each file you upload will be saved to your web browser's local storage. Clearing your web browser's cookies will clear your upload history on this forum.
Browse for an image...
 
Upload History
Click on an image to insert it into your post.
  • Share Thread
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Tumblr
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • MySpace
    • Email
  • Go to
    • Previous Thread
    • Next Thread
  • Please make a selection first

Drive train malfunction error message

  • Reply
newBookmarkLockedFalling
  • « Prev
  • 1
  • Next »
John Meyer
Guest
Guest Avatar
Drive train malfunction error message Mar 28, 2018 18:08:06 GMT -5
Quote
  • Select Post
  • Deselect Post
  • Link to Post
  • Back to Top

Post by on Mar 28, 2018 18:08:06 GMT -5

Sometimes I get a "drivetrain malfuction  take in for service soon".   Next day the error is gone.  When I take it in for service will they say no trouble found without the error message?  What could be causing this?
Kris
BMW i Owner Moderator
*****
Kris Avatar
BMW i3 REx Owner
Electric Miles: 150000
Drive train malfunction error message Mar 29, 2018 22:04:43 GMT -5
Quote
  • Select Post
  • Deselect Post
  • Link to Post
  • Back to Top

Post by Kris on Mar 29, 2018 22:04:43 GMT -5

Mar 28, 2018 18:08:06 GMT -5 John Meyer said:
Sometimes I get a "drivetrain malfuction  take in for service soon".   Next day the error is gone.  When I take it in for service will they say no trouble found without the error message?  What could be causing this?
Hi John,

Depending on the age of the car, it could be moisture in the HV cables. It's worth taking it in and having the service advisor pull any codes from the key.
Kris


13 REx--2017 25,000 miles
330e --2017 17,500 miles

I3 REx -- 2014 41,191 miles RIP
RAV4EV -- 47,500 miles RIP
Active E--26 months, 28,000 miles RIP
afadeev
Giga Contributor
****
afadeev Avatar
Drive train malfunction error message Mar 30, 2018 17:12:30 GMT -5
Quote
  • Select Post
  • Deselect Post
  • Link to Post
  • Back to Top

Post by afadeev on Mar 30, 2018 17:12:30 GMT -5

Mar 28, 2018 18:08:06 GMT -5 John Meyer said:
Sometimes I get a "drivetrain malfuction  take in for service soon".   Next day the error is gone.  When I take it in for service will they say no trouble found without the error message?  What could be causing this?
Your dealer is being lazy.
Even though the light is not ON, the fault code is store with the onboard computer.  They can definitely find it.

The other problem is identifying the root cause, and addressing it.
i3's are notorious for unexplained "drivetrain" and "lighting system" malfunction errors that pop up, then go away on their own. 

I used to worry about them with my first i3-REX.
With my second i3-BEV, "drivetrain" malfunction errors went away, but "lighting system failure" errors still pop up every time I have to do emergency/ABS breaking.  Like clockwork.  Then they go away.  

I'm just ignoring them now.
That's not to say you should do the same, as they may be indicative of some major issue with your car.  But I just gave up trying to get my dealer to diagnose them, since they never know what caused them. 


Good luck!

a 
__________________
'17 I01 i3-BEV (PB/DD)
'15 F80 M3 (SO/SS)
ex-'14 I01 i3-REX (LG/SG) - 25.7K miles
laurelgrey
Contributor
**
laurelgrey Avatar
Drive train malfunction error message May 11, 2018 10:35:01 GMT -5
Quote
  • Select Post
  • Deselect Post
  • Link to Post
  • Back to Top

Post by laurelgrey on May 11, 2018 10:35:01 GMT -5

I got the Drivetrain error for the first time today. But it did rain overnight and the atmosphere is particularly damp. 

Should I take it in or hope that the warming weather will make it go away?


  • Reply
  • « Prev
  • 1
  • Next »

BMW i3

Learn more.

BMW i3 with
Range Extender

Learn more.

BMW i8

Learn more.

360°
ELECTRIC

Learn more.

FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO GET THE LATEST BMW i NEWS AND UPDATES.

© 2017 BMW of North America
Company Information/BMW News Feed/Forum Rules/Help/Privacy Policy