325i Auto Trans. Shifting Issue

[CCCCforCancer]

Hey guys,

I am a proud new owner of an older 1992 325i. It is fully loaded with heated seats and all, and, as you know, inline 6 2.5L.

So here is my issue, and I am hoping that someone can help me out here:

While driving, the car will not always shift itself. Sometimes it just keeps revving. The thing is, if I "wiggle" the shifter, it will shift. All I have to do is wiggle the shifter around and it starts shifting. It seems that most of the time I am having to wiggle that thing just to get the car to shift, and, when it does shift, its not very smooth. When it does shift on its own, though, it is smooth as butter.


I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for this? I am thinking of just taking apart the center consol and seeing what all connections look like.

Thanks in advance!! :D

[CCCCforCancer]

Anyone??

[CCCCforCancer]

http://forums.***************************************?att achmentid=400475&stc=1&d=1328273251

Here is a picture of the car (Yes, it is somewhat winter up here in Canada :stickoutt )

[UnderCoverGuy11]

I don't know anything about the auto, but maybe try pulling the console specifically for the A/M switch, your symptom is exactly what that switch does, good luck

[xdgt03]

I would start by checking your fluid level. Sounds like it's low to me. regardless, I think you should change out the fluid in the main sump and properly refill. Then drive for a while and do it again. This solved my problems which were somewhat different than yours. Plus this is a cheap fix and you can do it yourself.

[Spyke]

Fluid or shift solenoid.

A shift solenoid failure is common in a car that has now aged a bit. Usually a cheaper fix. You could also do a manual swap if you are willing to do a little bit of nuts & bolts work.

Stop by AAMCO or something, they diagnose for free, and maybe they can confirm the problem.

[DEATH2000]

Is your car Canyonrot Mettalic? Its good to see another one!

[E36ic4Me]

The translation is: Calypso Red

[CCCCforCancer]

Is your car Canyonrot Mettalic? Its good to see another one!

Yes it is!


I would start by checking your fluid level. Sounds like it's low to me. regardless, I think you should change out the fluid in the main sump and properly refill. Then drive for a while and do it again. This solved my problems which were somewhat different than yours. Plus this is a cheap fix and you can do it yourself.

I was planning on doing this regardless, as I just bought the car and I have a bad thing with not trusting anyone maintaining cars that I buy - I always re-do all maintenance, even if they claim they did ;)


Fluid or shift solenoid.

A shift solenoid failure is common in a car that has now aged a bit. Usually a cheaper fix. You could also do a manual swap if you are willing to do a little bit of nuts & bolts work.

Stop by AAMCO or something, they diagnose for free, and maybe they can confirm the problem.

I live in Canada so AAMCO isn't a possibility, but I think I have a place up here I can check out that is pretty similar. I'm also going to look into that shift solenoid, as long as I can do it myself I probably will.


I don't know anything about the auto, but maybe try pulling the console specifically for the A/M switch, your symptom is exactly what that switch does, good luck

I was thinking this, yes. The strange thing is that I found a "sweet spot" in Drive. When in Drive, it will go like always, but, if I move it down just a tad it seems to "tighten" up. This is the area which it will then shift perfectly.

Thanks all for the advice - I am definitely going to be taking the consol apart (Was going to regardless for meticulous cleaning), as well as fluid change and look into that solenoid.

If anyone knows, as well, I have one other issue which I forgot to mention - The car seems to not always start. The starter spins, but it doesn't always catch. After sometimes 1, sometimes 7 attempts, it catches and goes. Initially I was thinking the starter was pushing out and grabbing, BUT, the weird thing is, if I instead of continuously trying, I could just go underneath the car with a screwdriver and push the lower pully gear maybe a half inch and the car would start right away then.

This has me thinking, starter? Ring gear? Flex plate?

[DEATH2000]

Yes it is!


Awesome! Always good to see another Canyonrot Mettalic E36 around! Mine originally came from Ontario. The color seems pretty rare on the E36. I see it occasionally on E39s but even then it's not common.

[hakentt]

I was thinking this, yes. The strange thing is that I found a "sweet spot" in Drive. When in Drive, it will go like always, but, if I move it down just a tad it seems to "tighten" up. This is the area which it will then shift perfectly.



Looks like you need to adjust the shifting linkage cable. It is on the transmission selector level, two 13mm nuts or rubber bushing is worn out

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5373/000036n.jpg

[Spyke]

^^^Good find.

(God I hate automatics...)

[UnderCoverGuy11]

The bendix on the starter is worn out, gonna have to replace the starter unless there's a way to fix the bendix.. Not sure if you can

[flyfishvt]

The bendix on the starter is worn out, gonna have to replace the starter unless there's a way to fix the bendix.. Not sure if you can

^^^^^ this. Unfortunately the Bendix on these starters can't be repaired or replaced

[CCCCforCancer]

My initial thoughts were the Bendix, but I was swaying away partially just because that if I move the crank, the car will spin over right away. None the less, I am going to change out the starter. I will also look at those linkages, thanks to @hakentt for the info and pic!

I'm glad I finally got myself another Bimmer. I had missed my last one so much since it was totalled. This one was a cheap find, and, although I am not a fan of Auto Transmissions, I'm still loving this thing :)

[RTDM]

Looks like the things I was gonna say have been covered.

Check fluid, and then check cable is calibrated!

When I rebuilt the valve body in my trans it made a world of difference to the car driving, shifting, and pulling! I had to rebuild because fluid was run low and the valve body suffered!!!!