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Thread: 1995 e34 540i auto transmission stuck in drive

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    1995 540i, 1991 325i

    1995 e34 540i auto transmission stuck in drive

    I'm new to the forums and not the most intelligent when it comes to vehicles, that being said. I have a 1995 540i that I've owned for a few months now and the auto trans has slowly started to die. But it's never left me stranded before last night. It will come up with trans program all the time but as soon as you shut it off and start it up again it's good to go. But last night when I got where I was going I went to put it in park only to find out it wouldn't engage into park, it would hit reverse and stop. Then after a few more forceful tries it is now locked in D,2,3,4. I was able to get the key out of the ignition but now its stranded on the side of the road and I dont know what to do to at least get it home.
    Thanks in advance for any help

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    CT, USA
    Posts
    4,161
    My Cars
    e28, e34, e39
    Hopefully its only the selector cable on the side of the transmission that has come loose.
    demet

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Bangkok, Thailand
    Posts
    197
    My Cars
    5/93 E32 730i M30
    It could be the selector cable ... or a coin / something else has dropped down and stopped you putting it into P ( this can and does happen) . Hopefully only one of those .. Good luck .

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Oldham UK
    Posts
    3,185
    My Cars
    '00 330i Sprt '92 525i
    If the car was stood for a few days, the shift cable may have seized. Spray the inner cable at the trans end with WD40 or similar and try working the lever backwards and forwards. But don't use a lot of force.

    If the problem is that the car just will not start because you cannot get park or neutral, you may be able to trick the TCM into thinking the lever is in neutral. Provided you don't need reverse, that could get you home. But try the simple stuff first

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Vallejo, CA
    Posts
    2,459
    My Cars
    '95 540iA
    Could be original manual valve in the valve body has snapped. The part has apparently been updated.

    Best to check the linkage cable to the transmission first to see how it's moving.

    Quote Originally Posted by 1990525i View Post
    the bees knees

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Like this
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Oldham UK
    Posts
    3,185
    My Cars
    '00 330i Sprt '92 525i
    The manual valve is the same part as used in the 5HP18. We know failure in that is no longer rare. For some reason, it doesn't seem to have been a problem in the 5HP30. Certainly worth considering though. Easiest way to find out if the valve is stuck is to mark the position of the lever on the side of the trans and disconnect the cable. You should be able to move the lever by hand one click at a time throughout its range.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Greensboro, NC
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    1994 BMW 525i E34
    Hello All, I have a E34 94 525i (277,000 mils) showing Trans program error lately (some days it does drives great), So far the shop stated they were seeing crank errors and replaced the Crank sensor, and it ran great for a week, Now the Tach/RPM is doing the following, bouncing just before the Trans Program error at 65 to 70 miles per so I'm guess i'm in 4th gear, 2nd at start up the RPM gauge will not move unless I turn the stirring wheel. and 3rd the Brake Fluid light will come on. I had the Transmission serviced last yr. Oh I'm clearly a novices with BMW so any laymen terms or fixes will be appreciate. thanking everyone in advance aslo getting codes and hoping this is one of three things voltage, bad TCM, or Bad solenoid

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    check the speed sensor on the backside of the final drive, if that does not send a clear signal to the cluster, then you will have also trans problems http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Mainte...eed_sensor.htm
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

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