Help- Won't go into neutral, so it won't start
07-21-2005, 06:22 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
I have an SMG car that won't start. Normally you leave it in gear along with the parking brake when you shut it off so it won't roll. When you start it you must put foot on brake, shift into neutral and then turn key. Well I can move the shifter but it is not going into neutral or reverse, it stays in 1st gear. It also only indicates 1st gear even if you move the shifter. Another problem is when I called BMW Assist and they sent a flat bed they could not put it on because they need neutral to get it onto and off of the bed. I was told to call my dealer in the morning to send a tech to the car.
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?
07-21-2005, 06:31 PM
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My Ride: G30 M550i
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I think this happened before to someone here and it turned out to be a bad switch connected to the brake pedal somewhere. In other words, the car didn't think you were pressing the brake because the switch wasn't closing.
Just curious, do your brake lights work?
Just curious, do your brake lights work?
07-21-2005, 08:36 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Uh O... another one... bmwin14rsm had the same problem and his car was replaced cuz they wernt able to figure out the problem....
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=6589&hl=
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=6589&hl=
07-22-2005, 03:59 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Thanks, I'll check to see if my brake lights come on. Also thanks for the link to the thread, I'll keep you posted.
07-22-2005, 04:19 AM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' date='Jul 22 2005, 07:59 AM
Thanks, I'll check to see if my brake lights come on. Also thanks for the link to the thread, I'll keep you posted.
[snapback]151853[/snapback]
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mo...286&hg=35&fg=05
07-22-2005, 04:44 AM
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Also, if you look at the SMG document in the Technical Gallery, you'll see the following information about why the brake light switch is the most likely culprit:
Brake light switch
The brake-light switch signal is transmitted through the PT-CAN (powertrain controller area network) by the DME control unit. For reasons of safety, the signal is also transmitted by a direct wire from the brake light switch to the SMG control unit.
The brake-light switch signal is used for the following operations:
? To release the shift lever lock (shift-lock)
? To detect a brake application
? To shift to "N" when the engine is shut-down
Starter inhibitor
The car access system (CAS) does not enable the starter motor until the SMG control unit emits the release signal. The following conditions must be satisfied for the start to be enabled:
? The gear lever must be in position "N". The LCD display in the instrument cluster must show "N", indicating that the transmission is also in "N".
? The SMG control unit enables the start, the clutch is opened.
Obviously, the problem could be a faulty SMG control unit but here's to hoping that it's just a simple switch...
Brake light switch
The brake-light switch signal is transmitted through the PT-CAN (powertrain controller area network) by the DME control unit. For reasons of safety, the signal is also transmitted by a direct wire from the brake light switch to the SMG control unit.
The brake-light switch signal is used for the following operations:
? To release the shift lever lock (shift-lock)
? To detect a brake application
? To shift to "N" when the engine is shut-down
Starter inhibitor
The car access system (CAS) does not enable the starter motor until the SMG control unit emits the release signal. The following conditions must be satisfied for the start to be enabled:
? The gear lever must be in position "N". The LCD display in the instrument cluster must show "N", indicating that the transmission is also in "N".
? The SMG control unit enables the start, the clutch is opened.
Obviously, the problem could be a faulty SMG control unit but here's to hoping that it's just a simple switch...
07-22-2005, 05:07 AM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' date='Jul 21 2005, 10:22 PM
I have an SMG car that won't start. Normally you leave it in gear along with the parking brake when you shut it off so it won't roll. When you start it you must put foot on brake, shift into neutral and then turn key. Well I can move the shifter but it is not going into neutral or reverse, it stays in 1st gear. It also only indicates 1st gear even if you move the shifter. Another problem is when I called BMW Assist and they sent a flat bed they could not put it on because they need neutral to get it onto and off of the bed. I was told to call my dealer in the morning to send a tech to the car.
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?
[snapback]151749[/snapback]
As for the flatbed, they could not get my car on it either. The tow company sent a different truck which lifts the rear and pulls the car on the front wheels - this was the ONLY way to move the car as it was stuck in gear. I was nervous about the bumper scraping in transit, but it turned out OK. Good Luck!
07-22-2005, 07:44 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Originally Posted by pennetta' date='Jul 21 2005, 09:22 PM
I have an SMG car that won't start. Normally you leave it in gear along with the parking brake when you shut it off so it won't roll. When you start it you must put foot on brake, shift into neutral and then turn key. Well I can move the shifter but it is not going into neutral or reverse, it stays in 1st gear. It also only indicates 1st gear even if you move the shifter. Another problem is when I called BMW Assist and they sent a flat bed they could not put it on because they need neutral to get it onto and off of the bed. I was told to call my dealer in the morning to send a tech to the car.
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?
[snapback]151749[/snapback]
07-22-2005, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' date='Jul 22 2005, 08:44 AM
[quote name='pennetta' date='Jul 21 2005, 09:22 PM']I have an SMG car that won't start. Normally you leave it in gear along with the parking brake when you shut it off so it won't roll. When you start it you must put foot on brake, shift into neutral and then turn key. Well I can move the shifter but it is not going into neutral or reverse, it stays in 1st gear. It also only indicates 1st gear even if you move the shifter. Another problem is when I called BMW Assist and they sent a flat bed they could not put it on because they need neutral to get it onto and off of the bed. I was told to call my dealer in the morning to send a tech to the car.
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is?
[snapback]151749[/snapback]
[snapback]151907[/snapback]
[/quote]This happened to me on my E46 M3 ... turned out to be bad hydraulic pumps. Get your tech to check those and replace them.
Good luck with it (yeah, when they towed my car they had to lift it because it was stuck in gear
)