06 530i only starts in neutral
Thread Starter
Super Moderator

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 361
From: Augusta, GA
My Ride: 22 BMW 540i xDrive; 05 BMW 530i
Engine: 3.0 B58; 3.0 M54
I have a friend of mine that has this car. It has 120K on the odometer. I have been working on his car to get everything back working like it should but this issue has nothing to do with it. I have not looked at the car yet but looking for ideas before I check it out this weekend.
To let you know that he has a 2 year old starter and battery. Today when parking his car the fob would not release from the ignition after he pressed the off button. After playing with it for a few seconds the fob popped out. When he went to start the car up it would not start (not a peep). So I told him to try and put the car in neutral and the car started. What I am guessing at this point is either the shift cable needs cleaning ( connectors), new shifter or neutral safety switch (if these cars have one). I have did a search to see if I can find a neutral safety switch and I have not so I am assuming these cars do not operate with one.
The car has no iDrive messages or check engine light. I have not hooked it up to INPA yet to see if it has logged anything since I am going to look at it this weekend. I am not looking at the starter, battery, IBS, or alternator because the car starts with no issues while in neutral.
If anyone has any ideas before Saturday please let me know. The first and easiest thing I am going to check is the shift connector and shifter which I am leaning towards being the issue.
To let you know that he has a 2 year old starter and battery. Today when parking his car the fob would not release from the ignition after he pressed the off button. After playing with it for a few seconds the fob popped out. When he went to start the car up it would not start (not a peep). So I told him to try and put the car in neutral and the car started. What I am guessing at this point is either the shift cable needs cleaning ( connectors), new shifter or neutral safety switch (if these cars have one). I have did a search to see if I can find a neutral safety switch and I have not so I am assuming these cars do not operate with one.
The car has no iDrive messages or check engine light. I have not hooked it up to INPA yet to see if it has logged anything since I am going to look at it this weekend. I am not looking at the starter, battery, IBS, or alternator because the car starts with no issues while in neutral.
If anyone has any ideas before Saturday please let me know. The first and easiest thing I am going to check is the shift connector and shifter which I am leaning towards being the issue.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 361
From: Augusta, GA
My Ride: 22 BMW 540i xDrive; 05 BMW 530i
Engine: 3.0 B58; 3.0 M54
I got to work on the car yesterday. I immediately saw what was wrong. COINS!!! For those who love putting coins in the ash tray make sure you do not overload. They can drop down and get wedged in the shifter preventing it to move.
I have a friend of mine that has this car. It has 120K on the odometer. I have been working on his car to get everything back working like it should but this issue has nothing to do with it. I have not looked at the car yet but looking for ideas before I check it out this weekend.
To let you know that he has a 2 year old starter and battery. Today when parking his car the fob would not release from the ignition after he pressed the off button. After playing with it for a few seconds the fob popped out. When he went to start the car up it would not start (not a peep). So I told him to try and put the car in neutral and the car started. What I am guessing at this point is either the shift cable needs cleaning ( connectors), new shifter or neutral safety switch (if these cars have one). I have did a search to see if I can find a neutral safety switch and I have not so I am assuming these cars do not operate with one.
The car has no iDrive messages or check engine light. I have not hooked it up to INPA yet to see if it has logged anything since I am going to look at it this weekend. I am not looking at the starter, battery, IBS, or alternator because the car starts with no issues while in neutral.
If anyone has any ideas before Saturday please let me know. The first and easiest thing I am going to check is the shift connector and shifter which I am leaning towards being the issue.
To let you know that he has a 2 year old starter and battery. Today when parking his car the fob would not release from the ignition after he pressed the off button. After playing with it for a few seconds the fob popped out. When he went to start the car up it would not start (not a peep). So I told him to try and put the car in neutral and the car started. What I am guessing at this point is either the shift cable needs cleaning ( connectors), new shifter or neutral safety switch (if these cars have one). I have did a search to see if I can find a neutral safety switch and I have not so I am assuming these cars do not operate with one.
The car has no iDrive messages or check engine light. I have not hooked it up to INPA yet to see if it has logged anything since I am going to look at it this weekend. I am not looking at the starter, battery, IBS, or alternator because the car starts with no issues while in neutral.
If anyone has any ideas before Saturday please let me know. The first and easiest thing I am going to check is the shift connector and shifter which I am leaning towards being the issue.
Check the neutral Safty switch is located inside g be transmission the gear shifter moves it am very sure that ur case cos I sorted that same problem today in my e60 530i it took me 5 days to figure out what the matter was but now I can see PRND on dash and the car starts on P
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DynaSpy
E60 Discussion
3
May 20, 2008 07:07 AM



