E31 - Stuck in Sports Transmission, No EML light.

[FRIENDLYMONKEY]

Hi there.

As 2016 enters its midst it's time for another one of my 8er issues :/

Recently the car has been stuck in sports mode after I went to take it for a drive, had to give it a jumpstart from the dedicated jump spot using my other car - the starter motor on the 8er would just turn over and over and over and the engine would not fire, when I turned the key to ignition the EML light would not come on at all, not even for the three seconds it's supposed to before flickering of, I've heard this can be caused by an open circuit in the dash and have found how to repair this, if this is the cause..

The other issue is being the transmission stuck in sports mode, the shifter in the centre console, this being an 850i with the 4 speed auto has a switch which can be slid/pushed to three positions, Sport, Economy, Manual.

Normally when I start the car it will display EP on the cluster, sometimes now when I try start it, it will display -P or SP, pressing the economy switch only changed it while I hold down the switch, when I release my hand from the switch it changes back to sport.

The starter turns and will not fire.

[Timm]

The 'stuck in Sport mode' bit is very likely to be the SEM switch - you can temporarily swap it with the sunroof switch as it has the same electrical action. Not starting can be so many things - but start by seeing if you have sparks by disconnecting an HT lead from a plug, stick a spare plug on the end and rest it on a metal part of the engine - get someone to turn the key while you check for sparks.......

[Ledo]

Has this problem been solved? My car just started experiencing the same problem after my battery got depleted and replaced.

The difference is, it ia not stuck in sport mode but has no modes at all, sometimes it briefly shows S or M and turns over but doesn't start. The side of the instrument cluster where the SEM letters should be are dimmer, as on the picture. (The picture doesn't show the N well). Everything else seems to be in perfect order, but the car turns over and does not start...

The 'stuck in Sport mode' bit is very likely to be the SEM switch - you can temporarily swap it with the sunroof switch as it has the same electrical action. Not starting can be so many things - but start by seeing if you have sparks by disconnecting an HT lead from a plug, stick a spare plug on the end and rest it on a metal part of the engine - get someone to turn the key while you check for sparks.......

Mine seems to have a totally different connector from the one on the sunroof.

[vsilima]

I have a similar problem, but slightly different. when I shift to E or S it automatically goes back to M.

[DocZach]

I have a similar problem, but slightly different. when I shift to E or S it automatically goes back to M.

Give me a call 1-631-374-9810. I know exactly how to fix your problem.

[hurtwj]

If you don't mind can you please post what the fix may be in case others have the same problem in the future? Thanks

Give me a call 1-631-374-9810. I know exactly how to fix your problem.

[Roke30]

Hello my name is Rok im from Slovenia. I have the bmw e31 850i And have the same problem, the transmition stuck in sport and wont start But it crank. I check the wires and check the button and have been no sucesfull. Have any idea to solve the problem tnx.

B. R.