Transmission Linkage?

[Aaron9267]

I've got an automatic 2000 BMW 323i. Had to remove the transmission from the car and put it back in. Now, I don't have reverse and the car won't start by trying to turn the key. Car will run and will go forward. I think I may have messed the linkage up when installing the transmission which is causing the neutral safety switch to not let the car start by just turning the key or go in reverse. Any ideas on this or tips on how to make sure the linkage is correct? Thanks in advance for your help.

[djb2]

Is the transmission a 5HP19?

There usually isn't a problem with the shift cable during installation. You make certain that both the shifter and transmission are in park when clamping the cable, giving just a slight pull to preload the cable.

Is is possible that the transmission was in neutral when you clamped the cable? This should be easy to check because the parking pawl won't engage.

The transmission has a shift position switch mounted on the side of the transmission, and mechanical parts in the valve body that set the parking pawl and hydraulic valves. This is independent of the car's shift position switch at the lever. In general the engine and transmission ECUs work together to electrically shift the transmission, primarily using the information from the shift lever. The transmission position switch and mechanical shifting are used as a physical override/failsafe.

What did you take off and reinstall with the shift linkage?
Did you take off the the bracket, or just loosen the cable sheath lock nuts and slide it out of the bracket? Did you remove the position switch?