2010 535i Reversing Issue
 

Recently acquired an E60 535i having gone through PPI at my local BMW dealer. Everything was said to be good, which provide some piece of mind in getting the vehicle. The other night, as I was slowly reversing the car into the garage, the transmission abruptly shifts to Park. I initially thought that I may have hit the Park button the shifter but when it happened again today and I definitely did not have my hand on the shifter this time. Searched through some forums without any luck or discussions on this. Anyone have any ideas or what to start looking for? The car doesn't provide any warning lights or error messages.

Were you reversing with the door open?

No, door was closed on both occasions.

Hmm, the car thinks the door is open and is throwing it in park. Ever happen going forward?

Doesn't happen going forward, just in reverse. It triggered twice since I got the vehicle. I can't seem to reproduce when I need it to. Is the car thinks the door is open, is there a particular sensor I could check?

Don't know for a fact, but suspect it uses the same switch as the interior light. On the latch. But the light would be coming on at the same time...

Hmmm. This is weird one. It is the behavior when the door is open as was said.

This is to protect the driver from getting out while the car is left in gear.

I have to agree to start with the door switch but also can't explain the lack of the interior lights coming on unless they in fact are set to not come on when the door is open.

The scarier answer is something up with the transmission. Get the codes read with a BMW capable code scanner and see if there is anything there.

Another thing to try: leave your foot on the brake slightly, enough to have the tail lights lit, then reverse. Does it do it then? This works when the door is open, allowing me to move my car with the door open.

Are you reversing with your hand on the shifter? Off?

All about data points.