My 1994 ZF A5S 560Z transmission selector lever will not rotate.

[davetrfl]

My 1994 ZF A5S 560Z transmission selector lever will not rotate. Was stuck in drive, but disconnected the cable to find the selector lever is binding. Any thoughts folks?

[jclausen]

Lube it also the shifter moves back and forth it does not rotate

[davetrfl]

Thanks jclausen! Have the pan off now. The lever on the left side rotates, but is VERY tight. The manual shift shaft connected to it slides forward and back, but is very tight like the lever. I don't want to force it...

[jclausen]

I thought you were talking about the shifter in the car not the side of the transmission

[ross1]

Time to examine the valve body or button it up if you aren't qualified.
Any other transmission issues? Sounds like debris in the valve body from here.

[shogun]

Known problem, replace the selector valve = rod, there is a new material, the old ones 'swell' and finally break, I posted a picture here, https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-rod-is-broken

[shogun]

Here a pic of such a broken selector valve, today I read again about such a problem on a German forum, happens on all the older ZF automatic transmisssions such as 4HP22/24, 5HP18/19, 5HP30

[shogun]

Did you meanwhile solve the problem?

[davetrfl]

Sorry it took so long to respond. I bought a new rod from ZF and will install soon. I'll update when finished.

Another suspicion: Is there a solenoid failure mode that would lock up pressure around the rod and restrict it from moving? Reason I ask is that after hours of sitting, the rod moves somewhat freely again, only to lock up after running for awhile.

Thanks for the help folks!!!

[shogun]

a solenoid failure will not lock up the manual selector rod. I assume that you can move it after hours of sitting is the reason that the ATF and the rod cooled down. Hot temp = expansion of material and volume of ATF is larger.