4.4L V8RWDAUTOMATICgas
Founding sponsor spot is openYour name on every procedure for this vehicle, permanently.Sponsor — $99 →
P0731high severityPowertrain

Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio

on 1999 BMW 540iT E39 4.4L V8 · RWD

What this code means

Incorrect gear ratio detected in 1st gear.

Symptoms

  • Slipping in 1st gear
  • Harsh 1-2 shift
  • No 1st gear

Common causes

  • 1st gear clutch pack worn
  • Shift solenoid issue
  • Valve body problem
  • Low line pressure

Diagnostic steps

  1. Check fluid
  2. Test shift solenoids
  3. Monitor gear ratio in 1st
  4. Check line pressure

Repair notes

Internal transmission service may be needed.

🔌 Don't have a code reader?
Any of these will read and clear this code — pick by how deep you want to go.
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Other Powertrain codes on this vehicle

🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years. Spot an error? Use the Help link above — a human reads every report.
Stuck on this repair? Take it to The Diag Desk — ask a master tech about this exact car → real human answer within 24h, never AI
⚠ STILL BEHIND THE PAYWALL
The 1999 BMW 540iT E39 repair data is incomplete because no one has sponsored it yet. For $99, we generate the full step-by-step procedures, then fact-check them with a second AI pass and your expert review. Your name on every procedure, permanently.
The same data would cost $169/mo from Mitchell1 or $30/year from ALLDATAdiy — and you'd be renting access, not freeing it. Sponsor once, free forever.
Sponsor the BMW 540iT E39 — $99 →
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.
Get an API key →
Run a shop?
Manage repairs, estimates, and customers with ShopBase — $249/mo, all features included.
Try ShopBase →