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Thread: Friend's Immaculate e36 325is with automatic won't shift out of 1st. Please advise.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Carmel, NY
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    1987 BMW 325IS

    Friend's Immaculate e36 325is with automatic won't shift out of 1st. Please advise.

    I think it is actually a 328is. What are the common causes of this series to not shift out of 1st? I am hoping there is something electrical and not that the tranny is toast. Please point us in the right direction. Thanks.
    Last edited by clydesdale; 07-07-2018 at 08:59 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    1,736
    My Cars
    1998 BMW 328i
    "Immaculate" "wont shift"
    Lol sorry i had to. Is it auto or manual?

    Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Tenerife, Spain
    Posts
    628
    My Cars
    1997 BMW E36 323i
    I'm no expert with automatic transmissions.. But if it's really stuck in 1st gear (and not 3rd) then I'm afraid it's something mechanical and not the "limp mode", which can also have electronic causes.. But again, I've never owned an automatic BMW (except for an E32 740iL for two months, but that was just to repair it and make a profit), so not much experience there.

    If it indeed is the limp home mode, then sometimes it can be solved by disconnecting, cleaning and reconnecting the round transmission connector.
    Also, it can be a sensor in the transmission, or a bad connection..

    Best to read the codes using a laptop with INPA or going to someone who can read the (transmission) codes for you.
    Last edited by ed323i; 07-07-2018 at 07:13 PM.


    1997 E36 BMW 323i
    (European) 275k km (171k miles), with following small mods:

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    9,098
    My Cars
    1997 328i
    Could also be low on fluid. Try doing a drain and fill. Make sure you do it properly, car has to be fully warmed up and raised LEVEL (I put a bubble on the trans pan).
    Attn. NEWBIES: Use the search feature, 98% has already been discussed.
    Click the search button, select "search single content type", select the "e36 sub forum" specifically, try the "search titles" then try the "search entire posts".

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Sherman, Texas
    Posts
    11
    My Cars
    740il
    I'm having the same problem with a 98 740il won't shift out of first in drive but shifts fine in manual.

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