I have a automatic 1997 528i and I live in Florida.
Recently the "All season traction" AST, light came on in the instrument cluster. When this happens the car does not want to shift past 2nd gear. This means I can not get on the hiway, or go past 40mph. The RPMs are too high over 40 mph. It's not shifting to 3rd or 4th gear.
This happened once before and it want away within an hour and all was ok. The problem seems to be spuradic.
Is there some sort of sensor that is causing the AST to engage and not allow the car to shift to 3rd or 4th gear.?
i have an identical problem, however i have reason to believe that my problem is a bit more complexed because that is how my problem started. The problem is no longer spuratic it seems permanent. i got a diagnosis and it revealed that the speed sensor had a fault. no problem....except.... me neither my mechanic can locate the speed sensor to change it. My problem is i have a Right Hand Drive 320i and it seems like the transmission is different from all the rest that i tried. i really need some help!!! this is killing me! p.s. j.seymour thegeneral_2185@hotmail.com