shift lever locked up

[pbmw2]

hello
98 740i

the shift lever locked up and i am unable to get it out of park
am i correct in assuming this has something to do with some sort of solenoid that activates when the brake pedal is depressed?
BTW dont hear any thumping from a solenoid when i depress the brake pedal.
where would such a mechanism be, down by the pedal or in the shift housing?

anyway its stuck, is there some sort of work around or reasonably straight forward fix?
thanks for the advice

[NordmanMg]

pop the plastic trim aren't knob and see if you can figure it out, I never had such a problem so can't really tell what to look for, afaik brake pedal locks it if not pressed, ignition switch locks it if not (at least) in first position and button on the knob itself locks it too

[tomquic]

It has often been known to be coins or other objects actually dropping down and jamming things ... as Nordman suggested , pop the trim and have a poke around before assuming the worst ... you may be lucky . I know other guys on the UK forum www.the7seriesregister.co.uk have had these issues before and solved them relatively easily from memory .

[Qsilver7]

Here's some suggestions from a past thread where the same question was asked. I recommend PSJR's suggestion to quickly rule out the shift interlock solenoid (because I believe without electrical power...the shift solenoid is kinda "deactivated" and may allow you to move the gear shift lever):

What would cause the shifter to get stuck in P? How can it be fixed to get the car to move? Any tips or tricks would be great thanks...

The solenoid should only be energized when the car is on.

To test if it's the solenoid:
1. Disconnect battery
2. Put key in and turn to Position I or II
3. See if you can move the shifter

To test if it's the brake switch:
1. Key in Position II (battery connected)
2. See if the switch on the shifter "thumps" (should be able to hear and feel it) when you press the brake

It could be the brake light switch as Kouks said (ask us how we know!), I am not sure it would prevent the brake lights themselves working. It could also be the solenoid lock beside the shift lever that is bad and won't disengage. As a temporary fix, remove the plate covering the shifter area. Underneath you will see the shifter mechanism along with the solenoid I mentioned. To test - turn the ignition on, press the brake and see if the little rod on the left side of the solenoid disengages. If not - that is certainly a problem. To move the shifter, there is a Gray colour lever that rests on the right side of the shift stick itself that locks it in place. Pull it upwards from the front and it will release the lever and you will be able to move it back wards.

In the picture, #5 is the solenoid or magnet as it's called. That's what it looks like. The little pin or rod that slides out goes into a hole on the locking lever.

[pbmw2]

i performed the tests indicated

yes- when the battery is disconnected the shifter can move.
so my next questions....

1)is this a basic DIY or more involved and where is the solenoid located?
2) is there a temporary bypass where i can manually move something within the shifter
housing to move the lever.

Note-after performing the tests indicated i banged on the shifter housing and something must have loosened up because i can now occasionally move the lever normally.
i am afraid of moving the vehicle for fear of getting stuck again.
this is why my second question is particularly relevant.
i browsed around the shifter housing but can not determine how i would go about disassembling the console.

thanks for the advice

[xboss]

Pull the shift boot up then you can pop the shift plate up pulling on the boot opening, all of this stuff is compression clip held so just pulling on it is the proper way to remove but you may break old plastic clips anyway, it happens. Then you can see the interlock lever and at least flip it manually when you need to shift out of park plus you can see what is the problem. If you need to go further and remove the wood console you are half way there. There will be a couple screws exposed under the shift plate. Couple more up by the armrest.

[Qsilver7]

...I sure there's a video on youtube...if not one for the e38...there should be one for the e39...and even though there's a slight difference...the overall design is similar.

[pbmw2]

Thanks I will investigate from your instruction
if the solinoid needs to be replaced is it within the housing also or under the dash near the brake?

[xboss]

Thanks I will investigate from your instruction
if the solinoid needs to be replaced is it within the housing also or under the dash near the brake?

It's an integral lockout right at the shift lever.

[Qsilver7]

Thanks I will investigate from your instruction
if the solinoid needs to be replaced is it within the housing also or under the dash near the brake?

It's #7 in the diagram and link to part nbr index below (called the magnet):

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=25_0002

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks I will investigate from your instruction
if the solinoid needs to be replaced is it within the housing also or under the dash near the brake?

It's #7 in the diagram and link to part nbr index below (called the magnet)...as mentioned in post #4 in AquilaBMW's quote:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=25_0002