Back to 2002 BMW M3
Help
2002 BMW M3
3.2L I6 S54•RWD•AUTOMATIC•gas•S54B32
5 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
Founding sponsor spot is openYour name on every procedure for this vehicle, permanently.Sponsor — $99 →
Repairs0Labor498Torque3157Fluid8DTC1267Battery1Maintenance0Recalls5
P1747high severityPowertrain

Transmission Failsafe Relay Fault

on 2002 BMW M3 3.2L I6 S54 · RWD

What this code means

The DME or EGS (Electronic Gearbox Control) detected a fault in the transmission failsafe relay circuit. This relay controls power to the transmission solenoids and its failure can leave the transmission in a default safe mode.

Symptoms

  • Transmission stuck in one gear
  • Transmission failsafe mode activated
  • Check Engine Light
  • Harsh or no shifting
  • Transmission warning light

Common causes

  • Faulty transmission failsafe relay
  • Relay connector corrosion
  • Wiring fault to relay
  • EGS module failure
  • Blown relay fuse

Diagnostic steps

  1. Test relay operation with multimeter
  2. Check relay fuse
  3. Inspect relay connector for corrosion
  4. Test power supply to relay
  5. Swap relay with known-good unit

Repair notes

Replace the transmission failsafe relay and inspect associated wiring.

🔌 Don't have a code reader?
Any of these will read and clear this code — pick by how deep you want to go.
Budget handheld~$40
ANCEL AD410 →
No-phone-needed handheld — reads, clears, live data, freeze frame.
✓ ANCEL official store
Serious DIY~$100
BlueDriver Pro →
Enhanced codes (ABS, airbag, TPMS) plus repair reports.
SHOP FAVORITE
Shop-grade tablet~$300
Autel MaxiCOM MK808S →
Bidirectional tests, service resets, all systems.
✓ Autel official store
Pro diagnostics$1,500+
Autel MaxiSys MS906 Pro →
Full-system pro platform — topology mapping, ECU coding, the works.
✓ Autel official store
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Other Powertrain codes on this vehicle

🔌 Need this data in your app? It's all in the free API →
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master 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
Share:XRedditFBWhatsAppThreadsEmail
⚠ STILL BEHIND THE PAYWALL
The 2002 BMW M3 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 M3 — $99 →
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 10 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 →