New problem--shifting into Drive

[Kewl X5]

2001 X5 3.0i with Steptronic.....after backing up, when going from "R" to "D" it gets stuck at "N".....I thought the safety solenoid switch was defective, but I noticed that if I move the shift knob towards the left, it will slide smoothly from "N" to "D". Sounds like some slack on the mechanical linkage?

Any advice how to fix? TIA

[SANguru]

easy fix... DRIVE IT BACKWARDS!!

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by SANguru

easy fix... DRIVE IT BACKWARDS!!

I seem to recall from Ferris Bueller's Day Off that doing so also takes miles off the vehicle

[Kewl X5]

Thanks for your expert advice!

Actually, been there and done that before....
Remember when I used to have an E320? The tranny died one day when I was going to work. I was about 1/2 mile from home and the car would not move forward in any forward gear, but reverse still worked....so, luckily, there wasn't much traffic....I put the car into neutral so I could roll the car forward into a position where I could back up the car....

Then put the car into reverse and went up the hill on the correct side of the road and went with the flow of traffic....The only difference was I was going backwards (there was little traffic) and made back home and left the car and then took the X5 to work. I did pass a few people and even made a "left turn" and they thought I was going some type of stunt driving.

Anyhow, I wish there was a Bentley Manual for the X5, but at least I have one for the 2001-2005 E46 3-series (which also includes the E46 M3). The is a safety solenoid between "N" and "D" and there is also a mechanical linkage cable that I may need to adjust.....

Anyone else have a good idea, let me know.

Originally Posted by SANguru

easy fix... DRIVE IT BACKWARDS!!

[Kewl X5]

BTW, the tranny still works...I did manage to put the car into "D" and drove to work. It just seems to get stuck at "N" and it reminds of me of the Mercedes shift gate....where you have to move it a little to the left and down to go into "D".

Anyhow, in the Mercedes going backwards, the speedometer worked and I think the max speed was about 35-40 mph and the odometer was still moving forward (digital odometers on the E320).

[JV]

Sounds like someone's been using that gearshift for more than its intended purpose...

[Kewl X5]

Dang it, Josh was the last one to play with it.

Originally Posted by JVZ104

Sounds like someone's been using that gearshift for more than its intended purpose...