can't shift to Neutral

[rjohs]

92 E30 325iC automatic transmission

The starter went out in my E30 this winter. I'm finally getting time to work on it, and went to roll it in to the shop. The shifter moves to neutral but the car won't roll. I noticed the battery was dead, so I thought there may be a safety or something that won't allow shifting with a dead battery. Charged the battery, but it still won't go in to neutral.

Is there a trick, or is there more wrong than I think?

Thanks for your comments,
Rich

[tomstin]

The starter went out in my E30 this winter. I'm finally getting time to work on it,

Are you sure one of the brakes are not hanging up? Jack each wheel and make sure they spin free. Will the shifter move through the range? Does it sound like the transmission linkage is working properly? Not sure on the E30 but on some cars you need to have your foot on the brake to move the car out of park or there is a pin you can press to get the car out of park with the power off.

[DRVN2WN]

Parking brake disengaged?

[E30Garage]

Check for blown fuses, also make sure you depress the brake pedal while trying to shift into neutral.

[rjohs]

Thanks for the suggestions - It's pouring rain today so I'll check these things the next dry day I can... I hadn't thought to jack up the wheels to see if they spin.

More to follow...

Rich

[Jeffnhiscars]

Check for blown fuses, also make sure you depress the brake pedal while trying to shift into neutral.

There is no brake pedal lockout on an e30 and nothing electrical that impacts shifting gears. It has to be linkage, cable or worst case (and least likely) something internal