SMG Error 59: Help needed!!!

[M3Bri54]

You guys both replaced your clutch and pressure plate like OP? M3Bri54 sounds like you didn't, but initially tried to replace springs without dropping only then to drop, correct?

Interesting all these error 59s as of late when the system is disassembled.

since i had the tranny off, i removed the clutch assembly to inspect it for wear. All looked good so it went back in. I reset the self adjusting pressure plate prior to assembly.

[oceansize]

No, I haven’t replaced anything yet. Trying to get a better grasp on what usually causes 59 before I dive in.

The 59 code seems to be commonly related to the clutch slave cylinder and attached sensor. My instinct says to replace that first. However, my car has 123k and to my knowledge the clutch has never been replaced. I’m contemplating doing both clutch and space cylinder.

Question for you, or anyone that’s in the know: is the slave cylinder removed when the clutch is changed?

Reason I ask is I know the cylinder has that one time clip, I don’t want to install a new one, the issue persists then have to pull it again when I do the clutch and deal with the issues of reinstalling a used cylinder. From what I’ve gathered that can be problematic.

59 is clutch slave roughly 80-90% of the time. Will need to be removed during clutch job. Installing a second time will require the slave to have hydraulic pressure which can be done.

From sapote (see post below).
To avoid the old salve cylinder's limp rod issue (sounds familiar?), the goal is to install the slave with the rod pushing the clutch fork. To do that, extend the rod out as far as it can but still stable, and fill with SMG fluid, then plug the fill hole with a threaded plug (screw or anything you can find) so the fluid cannot leak. With the compressed slave rod, install it so the erected rod pushing against the dimple on the fork. Then, slowly remove the threaded plug and connect the SMG pipe to the slave.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/196337-smg-slave-cylinder-removal-install?p=196353#post196353

[///M3RIC]

You guys both replaced your clutch and pressure plate like OP? M3Bri54 sounds like you didn't, but initially tried to replace springs without dropping only then to drop, correct?

Interesting all these error 59s as of late when the system is disassembled.

No, I haven’t replaced anything yet. Trying to get a better grasp on what usually causes 59 before I dive in.

The 59 code seems to be commonly related to the clutch slave cylinder and attached sensor. My instinct says to replace that first. However, my car has 123k and to my knowledge the clutch has never been replaced. I’m contemplating doing both clutch and space cylinder.

Question for you, or anyone that’s in the know: is the slave cylinder removed when the clutch is changed?

Reason I ask is I know the cylinder has that one time clip, I don’t want to install a new one, the issue persists then have to pull it again when I do the clutch and deal with the issues of reinstalling a used cylinder. From what I’ve gathered that can be problematic.

[oceansize]

Hey there, I’m dealing with an error 59 right now as all. Wondering if this was resolved?

I'm also having the same 5th gear lockout during the bleeding process, and pretty much did most of everything you've done to try to fix the issue. Only thing I haven't replaced is the actuator and GPS. I'm thinking I might have damaged the actuator rod when I was trying to remove the actuator to gain clearance to get to the springs for replacement. I used a bit of force to try to move it with the transmission still attached to the motor, but ended up dropping the tranny anyways. All gears shift fine (inpa and insta) except for 5th and sometimes 6th gear. Hoping to hear what the culprit ended up being for you.

You guys both replaced your clutch and pressure plate like OP? M3Bri54 sounds like you didn't, but initially tried to replace springs without dropping only then to drop, correct?

Interesting all these error 59s as of late when the system is disassembled.

[M3Bri54]

Ok sounds good...

Also, I swapped out the actuator unit. Any tips in how to get the pin into the actuator? The holes don't seem to line up 100%, and I cant turn it anymore... smh.

I'm also having the same 5th gear lockout during the bleeding process, and pretty much did most of everything you've done to try to fix the issue. Only thing I haven't replaced is the actuator and GPS. I'm thinking I might have damaged the actuator rod when I was trying to remove the actuator to gain clearance to get to the springs for replacement. I used a bit of force to try to move it with the transmission still attached to the motor, but ended up dropping the tranny anyways. All gears shift fine (inpa and insta) except for 5th and sometimes 6th gear. Hoping to hear what the culprit ended up being for you.

[///M3RIC]

Hey there, I’m dealing with an error 59 right now as all. Wondering if this was resolved?

[x Spades x]

Flywheel has no adjustment.
reset the PP.

Ok sounds good...

Also, I swapped out the actuator unit. Any tips in how to get the pin into the actuator? The holes don't seem to line up 100%, and I cant turn it anymore... smh.

[sapote]

Ok update...

I Do I need to reset the pressure plate or is that ok because both it and the clutch are brand new?

Flywheel has no adjustment.
reset the PP.

[x Spades x]

Ok update...

I pulled the transmission and will be replacing the fork and pivot while im in here. Im uninstslling and reinstalling the clutch,, pressure plate,, amd flywheel (flywheel is from my old engine, clutch and pressure plate are brand new 0 miles).

Do I need to reset the pressure plate or is that ok because both it and the clutch are brand new?

Also, is there a reset for the flywheel?

[SliM3]

i would hope that if that happened, someone would have realized it when they cant get the transmission back on because the input shaft cant get thru the plate into the splines of the clutch lol

I accidentally removed that plate a while back when I first got this car, trying to install a new clutch. I got the disc aligned using the alignment tool, pressure plate torqued and transmission back on. Then tried to run all the SMG tests in GTI and that was no bueno.

I had to take everything back off and rotate + hold the adjustment ring in the pressure plate with a screwdriver all while having the diaphragm spring fully compressed using a gear puller and bolt it all back to the flywheel.

Hard lesson to learn!


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[nextelbuddy]

Did you remove the plate that is supposed to lock the clutch self-adjustment ring in position while being installed? That's kinda what this issue sounds like.


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i would hope that if that happened, someone would have realized it when they cant get the transmission back on because the input shaft cant get thru the plate into the splines of the clutch lol

[SliM3]

Did you remove the plate that is supposed to lock the clutch self-adjustment ring in position while being installed? That's kinda what this issue sounds like.


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[oceansize]

I'm trying to hold ooooon to the smg, lol. Ill disassemble and check the clutch and pressure plate. Can these be installed wrong? I didn't think that was possible.

Also, can the actuator (what the GPS plugs into) go bad?

When I seperate the trans, are there any particular cords that I can look out for (damaged or unplugged)?

No wiring harnesses to inspect other than the obvious ones.

Good non-smg video to watch, just as refererence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmEOFBqreX8

My clutch/PP haven't required replacement yet so I can't comment personally on the install, when it does I'll be diying it.

However, this thread seems to speak to your issue:

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/nightmares-with-smg-after-changing-clutch-help.1305714/?post_id=19053687

From that thread.

I reset the pressure plate put it all back together, but it was only doable with that bracket that came installed on the pressure plate. I had to install the bracket and then pull back the plastic clip springs and squeeze the pressure plate and it popped flush. After putting everything back together I tried bleeding, it failed, I tried shifting no luck. It was glitched, so I reset the clutch curve and did the clutch teach and followed through with the Bleed and adaptation and now it shifts great. All these codes and issues were due to the pressure plate being installed in the expanded position

I notice sapote was in that thread as well. Sapote, can you comment further on the PP issue referenced above?

[x Spades x]

At this point I can't help but feel something in the clutch installation has gone awry. You are far from the only one to hit this issue (repeated 59 error code). Once a new slave has been installed and the problem remains it seems to usually be clutch related. This assumes your pump is holding pressure and all else appears normal.

This was someone else who had the issue and resolved it by manual swap. You might consider a swap if upon disassembly you still can't see a problem or find resolution, there is an appropriate time for that action.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/188910-strange-smg-issue?p=199567#post199567

I'm trying to hold ooooon to the smg, lol. Ill disassemble and check the clutch and pressure plate. Can these be installed wrong? I didn't think that was possible.

Also, can the actuator (what the GPS plugs into) go bad?

When I seperate the trans, are there any particular cords that I can look out for (damaged or unplugged)?

[x Spades x]

Engine was off? I don't see how the gear was shifted without grinding noise wiht engine running and slave position sensor unplugged.

Engine off, key in 2nd position. Changing gears through INPA