RockChalkKU

So in my infinite wisdom today while working on my car, I pulled the shift lever up out of the car. It was wired up and I pulled the wire ribbons apart from the actual handle. Can it be opened and fixed or do I buy a new one?

For a little better SA, I have a steptronic transmission and the car is an 08 535xiT.


I already feel stupid for having to post this, so make sure to pour some more salt in the wound with your comments! haha.

RIHI

I can be opened. The lower part is a ring you can pry away and the side button cover needs to pried away. After these two steps the two halves can be separated and the ribbon wires reinserted into their respective connectors.

I did the same thing when I was told to just pull up on the shift selector. This is exactly how you take it apart from the stalk.

olega_ts

https://5series.net/forums/private-m...lector-143591/

rice_rocket88

Ok out of utter curiosity.. how do you pull that damned thing out? I was doing some work and I gave it a little tug, but it kind of rotated counter clockwise a bit, and moved a bit out.. but then got stuck. I am relatively strong so I pulled it harder and nothing even hinted at it coming loose. Since my intention wasn't to do as mentioned above, I let it be and finished my work. My cover is chipping a little bit, and eventually I was thinking of switching the cover. I heard that some people had it done under warranty, but you can't even buy the covers separately. I saw a few ebay handles (which in fact look like the same ones other companies are selling) But I don't see how it would pull out.

olega_ts

https://5series.net/forums/e60-parts...t-55056/page2/

post 18

GTYellowJacket

Yes, that's a very good write-up and how I learned to do mine. Just be aware that anyone with a CIC idrive with the multi-button controller does not need to pull the idrive know before removing the console trim.

RockChalkKU

Lesson learned. I turned and yanked that sucker out. Was not wise either way you look at it.


Thanks RIHI, I was about to call it a day on that thing. With that being said, it was easy to put the ribbons back in their rightful spots.




I did find a few websites with carbon fiber covers, but they were expensive!

RIHI

You're more than welcome. I was in the same boat you were, when I was told to just yank it to remove it, but I guess it was for the pre LCI which didn't have the gear lights in the shifter but in the console. I, myself thought I was going to have to replace my shifter.

The chrome in shifter was peeling off, and I wanted to replace it. In the end, I peeled off all the chrome and had it wrapped in Carbon Fiber. At least now, I can re-wrap it anytime.