SMG Error 59: Help needed!!!

[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.

[///M3RIC]

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

[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.

[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.

[///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]

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

[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]

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.

Have you replaced the clutch slave with a new one? Anecdotally, it seems the clutch slave is prone to failure upon removal now that our cars are up in mileage and years. Mine failed at 100k, working fine at removal time, re-install then error 59 and failed bleeds. Bought new one, installed, problem resolved. This has been the same for a few others here but x Spades x has seemingly hit an instance where something else has gone wrong. The problem is there isn't a sure fire way to know the clutch slave is bad.

[x Spades x]

Have you replaced the clutch slave with a new one? Anecdotally, it seems the clutch slave is prone to failure upon removal now that our cars are up in mileage and years. Mine failed at 100k, working fine at removal time, re-install then error 59 and failed bleeds. Bought new one, installed, problem resolved. This has been the same for a few others here but x Spades x has seemingly hit an instance where something else has gone wrong. The problem is there isn't a sure fire way to know the clutch slave is bad.

Hey Fellas.

I'm circling back on this, as it was frustrating the SHIT out of me.

I dropped the Trans again and totally did the clutch job over again. I triple checked the pilot bearing, reinstalled the original flywheel (looks good), new clutch (triple checked the direction), and reset the pressure plate.

I also bought a brand new pivot spring, clutch fork, oem plastic pivot.

I then bought another used (and working gear position sensor, brand new slave cylinder, and used (but working) clutch actuator (where the rod is). I installed the slave cylinder and actuator while granny was off the car.

I also got used smg lines from Mparts and installed half while granny was out and connected lines to the pump.
I also switched out the pump from a working car.

Aaaaall of that to say... I have the SAME error 59, like I didn't do ANY of the above, 🤦🏾.

Ive reinstalled the driveshaft, all exhaust piping, and connect wiring.

Now the transmission is stuck in neutral. INPA reads the gear selector moving into Reverse (for example), but display is blinking "N" and confirmed in INPA.

Car still fails the first actuator test... I'm lost.

[eacmen]

Bleeding the SMG system after its fully open is a PITA. Does INPA data logging show the SMG hydraulic unit reach target pressure?

You may need to crack the hydraulic fittings on the actuator while running the bleed procedure.

Make sure to run the bleed procedures at least 5 times before trying to adapt.

[x Spades x]

Bleeding the SMG system after its fully open is a PITA. Does INPA data logging show the SMG hydraulic unit reach target pressure?

You may need to crack the hydraulic fittings on the actuator while running the bleed procedure.

Make sure to run the bleed procedures at least 5 times before trying to adapt.

I've ran this bleed procedure about 40 times, over the past two days. Yes, pump is reaching full pressure (85 bars) with a slow decline afterward. Pump also passes the other pressurized test within INPA.

[eacmen]

Maybe an ECU or wiring fault?

[oceansize]

I'm wondering if one or more of the solenoids have kicked the bucket. OP, test the resistance of each solenoid by attaching an ohm meter to the two prongs. Resistance should be very low. Look at the diagram here, (B) is the clutch slave cylinder solenoid.

From Burkhart's SMG wiki:

Proportional directional control valve (clutch (B); selector angle (C))
The two proportional directional control valves in the hydraulic unit supply the clutch slave cylinder and the selector angle cylinder with hydraulic oil.

[x Spades x]

I'm wondering if one or more of the solenoids have kicked the bucket. OP, test the resistance of each solenoid by attaching an ohm meter to the two prongs. Resistance should be very low. Look at the diagram here, (B) is the clutch slave cylinder solenoid.

From Burkhart's SMG wiki:

Proportional directional control valve (clutch (B); selector angle (C))
The two proportional directional control valves in the hydraulic unit supply the clutch slave cylinder and the selector angle cylinder with hydraulic oil.

New info...

So I was bleeding all yesterday and tried to put the car into each gear through INPA. I unplugged the Slave cylinder and now Gears 1-4 and 6 are fine. Gears 5 and Reverse slip crazy... to the point where they never go into gear... you just hear the slipping noise then get the slipping error (53 i believe).

[eacmen]

I've ran this bleed procedure about 40 times, over the past two days. Yes, pump is reaching full pressure (85 bars) with a slow decline afterward. Pump also passes the other pressurized test within INPA.

When I did my SMG relocation I got into a situation where no matter how many times I ran the bleed procedure there would still be small air bubbles in the reservoir during bleed. Eventually this failed on track after 4 weekends and I couldnt even run the bleed procedure. This turned out to be failing seals internal to the pump failing (this was an MLR rebuilt unit).

When I swapped in our spare SMG unit I was having trouble bleeding the system, the bleed procedure would succeed but the adaptation failed. This turned out to be air locked in the actuator. I had to make sure the reservoir was up high by hanging it from the hood, then ran the bleed procedure a few times with the hood raised up then with the trunk raised up. Eventually cracking the hard line fittings going to the actuator during the bleed was the easiest solution. It was very frustrating.