Shifter won't go into Park
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
My Ride: 2008 535xi Platinum Gray, Black Dakota Leather, Sport Pkg
Shifter won't go into Park
Wow, this is frustrating. Suddenly, the electronic shifter on my '08 535xi will no longer go into "P". Not sure if its just a problem with the little P button, or something else. FWIW, it feels normal when I press it, but nothing happens. If I want to get in park, I have to turn off the car. Ugh. 
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
New Members
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 757
Likes: 15
From: Chestermere AB
My Ride: 535xi
Model Year: 2008
I'm sure he means the "P" button on the top of the shifter.
If it goes into Park when you switch off, the problem is likely in the shifter. I've read about the cable to the shifter failing. Anybody else?
If it goes into Park when you switch off, the problem is likely in the shifter. I've read about the cable to the shifter failing. Anybody else?
Members
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 178
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From: Connecticut
My Ride: 2008 BMW 535xi Purchased 2/2011Sapphire Black MetallicNatural Brown LeatherPremium, Sport & Cold Weather
Mine started doing this as well. Just had the whole shift assembly replaced, new turbos as well as a water pump. Thankfully this is covered under CPO, but that runs out next month and I'm starting to think I should trade her in.
Senior Members
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 3
From: UpState SC
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
Yes, on LCI the new shifter has a "P" button on top that you press to park the car. Ok, guys, you are scaring me, mine hasn't been acting up but it's starting to sound like it might in the future. Make sure you all post up once it's known what to do to repair it.
New Members
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
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From: Chicagoland
My Ride: 2009 550i M-Sport Carbon Black
Well, I heard back from my dealer service guy. Unfortunately, he has not come across this issue before.
Mine only did it a few times since Tuesday, and now is working OK. I will keep a close eye on it, of course. I did notice that every time it will not go into park, if I hold the P button for awhile, it has always gone into park eventually.
Mine only did it a few times since Tuesday, and now is working OK. I will keep a close eye on it, of course. I did notice that every time it will not go into park, if I hold the P button for awhile, it has always gone into park eventually.
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
My Ride: 2008 535xi Platinum Gray, Black Dakota Leather, Sport Pkg
FYI, I'm grudgingly taking it in to the dealer tomorrow to have them look at it. I'm getting ready to trade/sell her, so I need this solved. (Plus, its a tad dangerous.) Unfortunately I'm out of CPO, so I'm praying it doesn't cost me a fortune. I'll report back.
Contributors
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 193
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From: SFV, CA
My Ride: 2008 Metallic Green 535i,Dakota Brown leather,NAV,HD Radio, Comfort Access,Sport pkg,Premium Pkg,Cold Weather pkg,Logic7,Park Distance, SAT/Paddles, Ipod adapter, tint, LED Side markers, & halos, heated fronts,CPO'd car, tinted tails, heads, reflectors, backup camera, afe cold air intake, led license plate lights, rear lip spoiler, recoded modules: remote folding of mirrors, deleted accept screen on idrive, auto unlocking of door when ignition turned off, closing windows, & sunroof w/ remote, digital speedo on instrument cluster.
I had my shifter replaced about 12k ago because the ribbon cable was kinked. First symptom was the illumination of the shifter mode went out. Then it acted like yours where it wouldn't engage park until about 5 tries. Dealer replaced shifter, & cable under warranty.
Hope yours is just that ribbon cable. I read a post in another forum & it seemed not too difficult to replace.
Good luck.
Hope yours is just that ribbon cable. I read a post in another forum & it seemed not too difficult to replace.
Good luck.