my 1997 BMW 328i will not shift from park
Asked by Ziegeliebe Nov 03, 2011 at 05:41 PM about the 1997 BMW 3 Series 328i Sedan RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
the car will turn on, but it will not shift from park on or off. The Break circuit is working and I am
pressing the break pedal down to shift from park.
3 Answers
May be your key cylinder in the ignition is wearing out. It won't shift if doesn't trigger a switch. I think there is a release pin under the plate around the shift lever gear indicator to over ride it.
Another thought is the spring that puts tension on the shift lever button may be wore out. Though the brake light switch is a common failure issue to trigger this. It's worth replacing that first since it isn't very expensive.
Same problem with my 1987 325i and really wondering between the key ignition / lock system issues and the shifter spring idea. Thanks!