P0501 BMW Fault Code

Description:

The Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch allows the engine's control module (PCM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) to use hydraulic fluid to engage the clutches in the transmission to allow for smoother shifting while driving. If the PCM or TCM detects an issue with the hydraulic clutch or the pressure switch, the BMW PCM or TCM will set code P0501

P0501 Code Symptoms :

The original multi-displacement system turned off opposite pairs of cylinders, allowing the engine to have three different configurations and displacements. P0501 code had an elaborate diagnostics procedure, including showing engine trouble codes on the air conditionning display. However, the system was troublesome, misunderstood by customers, and a rash of unpredictable failures led to the technology being quickly retired.

Diagnosis And Repairing P0501

P0501 OBD2 specifically refers to the camshaft (cam) timing. In this case, if the cam timing is over-retarded, the engine light will be illluminated and the code will be set.

How to fix P0501 code ?

• Exhaust tube
• Air fuel ratio (A/F) Sensor 1 Bank 1 circuit poor electrical connection
• Faulty Air fuel ratio (A/F) Sensor 1 Bank 1
• Faulty TCM or TCM programming

Gear changes are accomplished by a command from the BMW TCM to energize the clutch actuator to release the clutch; after which various actuators inside the transmission disengage the current gear, and depending on current operating conditions, engage the next higher or lower gear ratio. All of this happens much faster than a human driver could change gears, and in most applications, gear changes are as smooth and seamless as on any fully automatic transmission.