Tranny won't shift to 2nd or 4th

[cornflakecwl]

Sitting in traffic coming home today car was fine. Stopped in traffic, took it out of gear it kinda clunked. Then I couldn't get it back INTO gear, shifter was flopping around. Pushed that car to the shoulder of the hwy afte someone finally held up a lane for me and started trying to figure out what happened. I realized I could get it into first and third but only after pushing the shifter about 3 times as far forward as it normally goes. 2nd and 4th are no go even reefing as far back as I can. At rest, the shifter still has the feel of the gates to the side, just moves way too far and to easy front to back. So I got it into first drove home using first and third ( I did manage 5th a couple of times as well). Got home, was about to back into my spot and thought oh crap do I have reverse? Sure enought it managed to JUST catch the reverse cog and I got er parked. I don't think it's the linkage as that is a single arm, maybe something broke on the shift fork? Anyone ever had this before? I am taking it to my friend's tranny shop on Monday morning, just want to know what I am in for damage wise. TIA

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[87shark]

Hmm that sounds weird.

[cornflakecwl]

Sounds like a 5 speed swap is in order.
:rofl what swap out my broken 5 spd for a working one? :P

[87shark]

Forgot you had one :shifty

[TGreene]

Sounds like a shifter linkage issue.

[cornflakecwl]

Yeah I was thinking that it's just really wierd. We'll get it on the hoist on Monday and see what's goin on.

[TGreene]

Good luck! If nothing else, there seem to be plenty of Getrag 250s floating around.

[Tward]

Good luck! If nothing else, there seem to be plenty of Getrag 250s floating around.

I cant find anyyyyyyyyyyy parts for mine

[cornflakecwl]

I cant find anyyyyyyyyyyy parts for mine
Don;t say that!! I am going to search carpart.com right now!! LOL

[KyleCleveland]

You've damaged something with the shifter linkage. You'll need to rip apart the shifter surround and get it on a lift if you have access to one.

[TGreene]

I cant find anyyyyyyyyyyy parts for mine

The E34 shifter linkage, trans brace and driveshaft are sort of hard to find, but the transmissions themselves are all over the place with the number of E36s being parted out.

Good luck with the fix OP - take pics and show us what happened.

[NY Bimmers]

it is the pin that holds the arm that holds the shifter to the tranny....i had it pop out of my e36 once....it's the bitch clip....

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=25-11-1-221-849-M9&catalog_description=Front%20Shift%20Arm%20Bushing% 20Clip%2C%20BMW%20E%33%34%20%35%20Series%2C%20All% 20Except%20%35%34%30i%20%20

[dantheman67]

It might be the shifter support bar or the 6 tiny, tiny bolts holding the shifter to its base- my friend's broke and his 6 speed was way out of whack

[cornflakecwl]

Thanks guys. I figured it was something along those lines. I will rip the console apart and jaxk it up tonight and take a look. Worst part is that it had been on a hoist earlier yesterday. Like it couldn't have have happened 5 hours earlier on the way to get an oil change. That would have made my life a lot easier.

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[KyleCleveland]

Thanks guys. I figured it was something along those lines. I will rip the console apart and jaxk it up tonight and take a look. Worst part is that it had been on a hoist earlier yesterday. Like it couldn't have have happened 5 hours earlier on the way to get an oil change. That would have made my life a lot easier.

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The good news is that although an annoying job to do, it isn't expensive. A new transmission would be worse!

[bmwwheelman]

It's more than likely the shifter pivot mount, the back mount has probably broken, had this happen in my old E21.

[NY Bimmers]

It's more than likely the shifter pivot mount, the back mount has probably broken, had this happen in my old E21.

Could be this too....the bitch clip doesn't just break. It has to spin up then out. Unless the clip broke off, then it will come out.

[cornflakecwl]

The good news is that although an annoying job to do, it isn't expensive. A new transmission would be worse!
Very true!!

It's more than likely the shifter pivot mount, the back mount has probably broken, had this happen in my old E21.


Could be this too....the bitch clip doesn't just break. It has to spin up then out. Unless the clip broke off, then it will come out.

I dunno, the shifter itself isn't moving around any differently. Like if the back of the cup it sits in was gone it would be a different feeling. I just moves (pivots) farther each way. You know what I mean? SO I don't think the carrier has broken, but I guess anything is possible. I'm waiting to hear back from a couple of friends to see if they are working late so I can go by and get it fixed up.

[NY Bimmers]

Well, if the shifter didn't drop at all then the rear mount is fine, definitely sounds like the bitch clip.

[NY Bimmers]

On my e36 i took the console out and cut some of the tranny tunnel to get to it on top. I was stuck and didn't habe a choice. I replaced it with a bolt an nut lol. Worked fine.

[cornflakecwl]

Was the bitch clip. Got it up on the hoist this morning and swapped it, good as new. As I am leaving the shop, notice car pulling way to the left, stop and flat tire. Back to the shop, spare on. Man I love full size spares!

And thanks so much Ed. Getting that clip ahead of time saved me a tonne of hassle!

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[TGreene]

Good news!

[TGreene]

Good news!