Garage Cabinets, Garage Storage, and Garage Organization

Help, my 325i is stuck in drive.
I tried to move the gear knob to "neutral", but the but of metal below snapped. I'm now stuck in drive only.
What could be the issue?
Over the last couple of weeks the gear knob was getting hard to move from Neutral/Park/drive, etc.
When it is driving, no funny noises or anything.
Tried tapping with hammer gently, but still not moving the gear selector.

Any help/advice welcomed.

Rob

have you checked the fuse for the transmission control unit? or it could be the switch inside the selector lever has deteriorated or damaged. to check this you need to remove the mounting block and needs a good DIY skill. if you are, let me know and i'll give you instructions on how to do it.


_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

or this concerns the shift linkage between the selector lever and the transmission has mis alligned or could be an excessive friction on the parking lock mechanism. you need to check these things...


_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

Hi, I've found the problem.
I went under the car and tapped the gear selector bit that goes into the gearbox. This then moved the gear from Drive, upto Neutral (where I've left it). I know that I need a replacement cable that goes from the Gear Stick to the gearbox.
Is this an easy job to do (jack car up, disconnect, reconnect, etc)?
Still not sure why it stuck at the gearbox end. Maybe lack of use as I only use the car twice a week, and it was stood for a couple of weeks a week ago. Maybe some WD40 to loosen it off next time.

yes you need to lift the car to have it replaced. quite an easy job but the bottle neck there is remove/install the locking pin. goodluck


_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

Hi Windz!
All sorted, so far - may thanks

Disconnected the cable under the Gear Knob - only one bolt. Went under the car and un-bolted the cable - dead easy there too. Pulled the cable back through the car.

Good news - the Selector Switch thing that is attached to the gearbox allows me to change gear by hand dead easily, so guessing no damage to the gear box - phew!

Bad New - The cable I've took off (Bowden Cable I think it's called), appears to be stuck inside the Cable Housing.

Been in touch with BMW as it's a dealer only part (2516128707). £37.19 + VAT.

Should have one by the weekend if all goes well, and bolted back on Sunday (weather depending).

Is BMW the only place to buy 'dealer parts'? I guess so.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks, Rob

robmills007 wrote:

Is BMW the only place to buy 'dealer parts'? I guess so.

it depends on your location. in china you can also buy parts other than the dealership.


_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

Hi there, I managed to get a replacement cable from ebay, £10. I took about ten minutes to fit.  Just make sure you do not bend the tip of the cable when you tighten it to the gearbox.