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Thread: Won't shift in drive

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Sherman, Texas
    Posts
    11
    My Cars
    740il

    Won't shift in drive

    I have a 98 740il that wont shift in drive but shifts in manual what would cause this?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Rivertucky, Ca
    Posts
    140
    My Cars
    95 740IL + 2000 740IL
    Valve pack perhaps? Get it warm in first gear (Engine and trans) by driving it around and then try shifting to D and see if that helps. Is your Auto/manual button in which position on the center console in front of the arm rest? Perhaps its stuck in manual

    - - - Updated - - -

    The 98 I think still had the Auto/manual button? perhaps it had a drink poured on it?
    95 740IL and 2000 740IL
    94 Land Rover Discovery - Zombie Apocalypse Version
    72 Triumph TR6 - BMW down backup
    02 Suzuki Intruder - Weekend Dirtbag version

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Sherman, Texas
    Posts
    11
    My Cars
    740il
    The only way I can get first gear is in drive but won't shift out of first unless I switch it to manual

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Dallas,TX
    Posts
    1,759
    My Cars
    '98 E38 740IL, '01 740i
    Sounds like a valve body solenoid is bad.
    TRPCHGE - '01 740i Black/Black 230k'ish - Power folding mirrors, Mk.IV Nav, 16:9, M-pars, Sport seats, Sport wheel, Steptronic, Euro rear fog switch, 2.50" X-Pipe, Shadowline, E53 4.6is Cluster, Lacewood interior, Chromeline, 3.15, Bilstein B6+H&R Stage II's. - SOLD 06/21

    BSKCASE - '98 740il Arctic Silver/Black 175k'ish - Face-lifted, 3" Projectors, Shadowline, 01 Tails, Hydro Trunk, Sunshades, 750il Full interior retrofit, Sport Seats, Steptronic, Face-lift Steering Column, X5 Steering wheel, E53 4.6is Cluster, Euro E66 Piano black/Chrome Grab-handles, Chromeline, Suede Pillars/Headliner, Auto wipers/Lights, Lighted Handles interior/Exterior, Dual battery retrofit.

    WIP: Custom Style 42 18x9.5" ET12, 18x10.5" ET8, 3.15 LSD Rear diff.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Lancaster CA
    Posts
    5,051
    My Cars
    e34,e38,e39,e46,e70,e90
    I would try looking at the Auto/Manual switch first.

    1a. Does it work in Sport mode?

    1. Remove and disconnect the switch completely, see if that helps

    2. Swap the switch temporarily with the sunroof switch, they are the same elrctronic setup. See if that fixes it.

    If either 1 or 2 fixes it, you have a bad A/M switch, replace it.

    3. Check to make sure both connectors at the trans are secure.

    4. Check around the shift switch on the trans, if it coated with oil and dirt it may have shorted out.

    If neither helps, then it's an internal VB problem. Pull codes and see which solenoid or circuit is bad. If you have INPA you can activate each solenoid individually in the driveway. That may identify the bad actor.

    Mechanically your trans is good. It shifts in manual because you are moving the shifter and shift valves on your own, so the mechanics work fine. You have an electrical issue.
    Last edited by kouks; 07-13-2018 at 11:29 AM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Sherman, Texas
    Posts
    11
    My Cars
    740il
    No it doesn't shift in sport mode only in manual. I don't know anything about BMW'S I bought the car for a grand because it runs amazing and has ice cold AC and was hoping the shifting problem was an easy fix. Guess I'll be driving it in manual until that stops working. Then to the crusher! Lol thanks guys!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Lancaster CA
    Posts
    5,051
    My Cars
    e34,e38,e39,e46,e70,e90
    The cost of a new switch is probably about $50, or at the junkyard for about a $1. Don't throw away a great car for a minor fix.

    02 e39 540i Sport (Son), 01 DINAN 7 (Me), 12 e70 X5 x35i (Mrs), 95 e34 525i (Daughter 2), 01 e46 325Ci vert (Daughter 1)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Sherman, Texas
    Posts
    11
    My Cars
    740il
    It's not the switch we ran codes on it yesterday and no transmission codes and the reader said the switch was working properly. There was a throttle position code, abs code

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Upstate NY
    Posts
    237
    My Cars
    2001 740i
    Nah don't scrap it please, Ill grab it off you when you're done.

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