Can't Get Car Into Reverse!!!

[bimmer2004]

ok, ok.. my car is having some issues right now and i am not sure if i should freak out quite yet... btw, i drive a 1998 528 (auto)

It all started a couple days ago. When i started my car, a warning light flashed telling me to check brake lights. I checked and noticed that one was not working. ok, no problem, i will change the bulb when i have some time. Then later that night after work, the problem was fixed by itself and the warning was gone. PHEW! So, this happens to me one more time except that all the brake lights are out. Odd, but conceivable that all the brake lights are out (I am an optomist). I figure it is just faulty bulbs so i go to the store to buy new bulbs.

So i return home only to find that they gave me the wrong bulbs, no big problem. But then when i go to return the bulbs and drive the car, i can't get the shift knob past, park. It starts all good but the shift knob is locked in place and won't go anywhere. So i call the BMW dealership and they say it sounds like i need to replace my brake light switch.

So my question to you guys is does this sound correct and have any of you guys done this before? How hard is it? They are trying to charge me $30 for the part and then $100 for a labor. I have done a quick google search with no real help except for that the switch is located right below the steering wheel. Can anyone give me more details??? :help

[tjn182]

I'm not sure about the e39's -- but the brake light switch should be somewhere around the pedal.... It's not too hard to get to on the e28s and is usually a simple fix.

[bimmer2004]

Does anybody at least know where this part may be specifically located? thanks

[OrangeFan]

Does anybody at least know where this part may be specifically located? thanks

I have used a site called realoem.com a few times to try and locate or identify parts and part numbers. I'd take a look right now for you but I must get back to work.

[Dan]

ALL your brake lights went dead??? didn't realize the brake light sensor is connected to the shift-lock on auto's.

[Dwayne]

ALL your brake lights went dead??? didn't realize the brake light sensor is connected to the shift-lock on auto's.A lot of vehicles are like this. My parents' Ford Pickup won't let you shift out of park unless you have your foot on the brake.

[Dwayne]

Does anybody at least know where this part may be specifically located? thanksI'm wondering if it's the stop light switch listed here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DD63&mospid=47585&prod=19980700&btnr=35_0248&hg=35&fg=05

EDIT: From what I've read, the 98-99 models seem to have a problem with this switch, so you could always talk to a dealer to see if there was a service bulletin about this.

[Dan]

A lot of vehicles are like this. My parents' Ford Pickup won't let you shift out of park unless you have your foot on the brake.

i know you have to step on the brakes but didn't know the brake light is part of the trigger.

[bimmer2004]

yeah, i talked to the dealer and they said with my car, the switch is directly linked to the parking release. So, in short, the switch controls the brake lights as well as the locking mechanism in my shifter... not sure if it was the smartest thing BMW could have done because it is a pain in the butt to change if you don't want to do it yourself (ie. you have to get the car towed to a dealership!!). Well, thanks for the input so far, if anybody else can help me more, please do. I will probably get at it this weekend so I will let you know how easy or hard it is.

BTW, does anybody know the exact location of the switch?

[The Beastmaster]

On the E34 and E36, the brake light switch is located on the firewall and held in place via a bracket. When the brake pedal is depressed, it pushes the plunger down on the switch activating the lights. I have changed the switches on these 2 models, but not on my E39. The R&R process takes about 20 minutes.

If the E39 is the same, it is easiest to remove the plunger on the switch, then the rest of the switch comes out quite easily.

[bimmer2004]

well, looks like my part won't come in until Thursday. :mad Five more days of not being able to drive my car!!