Before we start talking about the malfunction, let’s make sure we all know what a drivetrain is. Many drivers never had the chance to learn vehicle terminology or simply didn’t deem it necessary.
Even though in most cases, this knowledge won’t be needed for you. The car mechanic will perform the fixes. However, it’s still better to know at least some of the part names and be able to identify them.
A drivetrain’s definition goes as follows: “a group of parts that interact with the main engine of the vehicle to transmit power from it to the powered parts.” It’s important to note that an engine is NOT a part of the drivetrain.
The same can be said about wheels- they’re the receiving part of the force the drivetrain transmits. This group of components typically consists of the following:
- Transmission- transmits power directly from the engine to later parts, like a chain in a bike.
- Driveshaft- a long metal pipe that takes power from the transmission to other components
- Universal Joint- a movable joint that allows for varying positions of the driveshaft
- CV Joints- designed to keep the power transmission at a constant velocity
- Differential- the penultimate part transmits power to individual wheels.
- Axle shafts- rotating parts that give power directly to the wheels
Drivetrain vs. powertrain
If you’ve heard of the term “drivetrain,” you’ve probably heard of the powertrain. Usually, regular people and even professional mechanics use these two terms interchangeably.
Even though it’s not technically true, it’s harmless for the most part. However, it might cause some unnecessary trouble when shopping for new vehicle parts. Here’s the difference between a drivetrain and a powertrain:
The main difference between those two is classifying the engine as a part of the subassembly. If we’re talking about the drivetrain, it’s an assembly that works WITH the engine- not including it.
A powertrain is, by definition, “an assembly that consists of every part which helps make the vehicle move in any way.” This time, the engine is a part of that, as it’s the main component that makes our car move. Other parts in the car, such as a catalytic converter, are also a part of the powertrain.
Another small difference lies in the wheel classification. As with the engine, it’s also a part of the powertrain while not being a part of the drivetrain. In short, the drivetrain is a big part of the powertrain, centered around transmission more than power and movement.
Resetting the part
The automatic systems of your vehicle will try to perform a system reset when experiencing drivetrain malfunctions.
Don’t worry- the car won’t shut down at once, especially not when you’re in the middle of driving. It will reset once the engine is off, requiring you to willingly turn it off in a safe place where your car is parked.
Troubleshooting
Even though this error can be serious, you don’t always need to call for a professional’s help to fix it. Sometimes you’ll be able to do the repairs yourself without any advanced gear needed.
Doing so can be challenging, especially for people with no experience. Once you learn how to do it, you’ll be able to save yourself lots of time and effort. Most importantly, money.
Here are three things you can do to try to solve this problem by yourself:
- Restart the engine- this is mentioned above, and it’s done by letting the car rest for a couple of minutes. It allows the systems to restart themselves. Although it works most of the time, it might not always give you desired results. It still means you’ll have to spend money for a mechanic afterward.
- Inspect your engine- if restarting doesn’t solve the problem, try lifting the hood of your car and search for potential symptoms there. Check for any noises, visible fluid leaks, and smoke. Sometimes, jump-starting the car will be necessary when the battery is the problematic piece.
- Perform a scan- if you want the most in-depth analysis of the potential problems of your vehicle, you can scan it with an OBD-II Scanner. The two parts that you will need to scan are the DME and EGS/AGS. They will give you the proper error codes.
Doing these steps one by one might solve the issue, but they won’t work all the time. Remember not to hesitate and call your mechanic if you believe it’s needed.
Remember it’s a good idea to keep an OBD-II scanner at hand. Let’s take a look some of the benefits of doing so.
Pros
- Real time updates about your car’s health
- Alerts whenever there is a problem internally
- Aids in monitoring and improving driving behavior
Cons
- A scanner might drain the battery if left plugged into a car for too long
- Security implications due to possibility of data leaks and external malware.
Repair cost
If you are ever unlucky enough to get this error, you will have to face the costs of repairing it. No manual fixes that you perform will be sufficient to drive the car with complete safety again.
The damaged part (or parts) will always need to be replaced or at least brought back into good condition.
As many BMW models significantly vary in price, there are also many potential costs of drivetrain repairs. It all depends on which car you’re driving and how accessible the parts are in your area. For example, a BMW 328i costs about $40,000, while a BMW m4 costs almost twice as much.
Let’s look at specific BMW models, such as the BMW i3. The drivetrain repairs can go up to $2000.
Let’s breakdown the cost of BMWi3 to give you an idea.
| Items | Labor Cost | Motor Parts | Total cost |
| Cost | 200-300 | 1800-2000 | 2000-2300 |
