Gear lever / shifter sticking

[X5Kiwi]

I am having problems getting my gear selector to move between N and D, and also between M/S and D.

To get it to move from N to D, I have to push it slightly to the left side of the car.

To get it to move from M/S to D, I have to just wiggle it until it moves.

This sounds similar to the following thread:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ween-ds-d.html

Today I decided to pull the surround off the gear lever to see what is causing the problem, but I don't really understand what I am looking at, so thought I would post some photos in case other people have some ideas.

The first photo shows all the parts as they sit when the car is in park (P). I have circled the two components that seem to be causing the problem.



The next photo shows (from behind and center) the position of the same components when in neutral (N). As you can see, the gold coloured part is not lined up with the guide that it needs to slot into when shifted into drive (D), which is why I obviously need to push the lever slightly to the left to get into drive. It appears that the gold peice is not seating onto the white plastic part under it, but I can't see why, it doesn't seem worn in any way.


The last photo shows what everything looks like when in M/S mode. As you can see, the gold peice is removed from the white plastic peice, and stays in the guide, which seems normal. Perhaps someone else can have a look at these parts on their shifter and see if the parts all perform in the same way? This surround easily lifts off, just open the ash tray and lift the surround gently and it will pop off.



Any ideas? I'll take it to BMW next week if needed, but as we all know that costs $$$ just to drive in the door, and it might be a simple fix.

[Helmuth]

Hi X5Kiwi,

just went down into the garage to disassemble mine .
Picture quality is not really great because this Phone doesn't have a flash but maybe it helps. Took the 3 pictures same as you and it seems you have located your problem.

Regards, H

[dlennard]

It looks like the white plastic piece should stay on the gold piece and yours has broken off on the right side. You can see in the non problem photos that the white plastic piece has a lip on each side of the gold piece. Sorry about the white and gold piece names as I don't know the correct part names.

[X5Kiwi]

Thanks for your help guys, I'll have to go to BMW tomorrow then to see what the damage is, it doesn't look like something I can fix myself.

[X5Kiwi]

Ok I went to BMW dealer today, yes the plastic piece is broken, and they can't replace that part alone, they have to replace the entire selector mechanism, which is going to cost $1100NZ ($800US) plus labour. I have a warranty, but still have to pay the $200 excess. And this just seems so wasteful, all for a 10 cent plastic part?

[Helmuth]

Strange price,

don't you have a friend with a turning lathe or a small company around? I believe that could be done with less money involved.

Regards, H

[g60renshaw]

Did you ever solve this as mine has just done exactly the same. Really good site this by the way, think I will be on here a lot.
My X

[X5Kiwi]

Yes they replaced the entire mechanism, wasteful I know.

[Helmuth]

WOW - expensive thing,

before letting them replace the whole mechanism I would go for some Epoxy and try to glue the plastic into the metal. If it breaks again the dealer can replace it - if not you would be set.

Good luck

[papasmurf]

This is a known problem on the 5 series, and I'm pretty sure they use the same shifter, so no surprise there. You have to replace the ENTIRE shifter. It's expensive and a PITA.