[eduardomi]

Hi All,

I have a 07' 335i and after searching like a mad man for a solution to this problem (that would not brake my wallet) I could not find anything. I hope a fellow member can give me further light to fix this issue.

As the title says, when I move the shifter over to the left it stays in "D" mode. I, however can use the paddles to change gears as well as the shifter up/down motion for the same.

I have read in other posts that most people that encounter this, are still under warranty; I am not. So taking the car in to the dealer is not an option at this moment ($1,000+ solution).

I found that sometimes what happens is that the wires underneath the shifter/leather boot get snapped and all we have to do is solder them. Not my case. I already followed Tommiexboi's DIY and found all cables to be intact... http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=511799

When tracing the cables I found that there is a small switch that makes contact with a metal rod. It is installed in the shifter assembly towards the dash on the right side (looking from the driver's seat). I am attaching a picture of it, maybe someone can recognize what it is for? The two cables I circled are supposed to be the ones that break (specially the white one) and that causes the DS mode to fail engaging. These two cables, if followed are connected to this small switch I found.

Scary fact: While moving the cables I unintentionally disconnected the switch and the car immediately chimed and showed me the sprocket symbol on the dash. I put the switch back in, routed back all cables, connected all harnesses and drove the car. No codes, no errors but still no DS mode.

As at this moment I cannot afford to buy a complete shifter assembly...I was hoping someone in these forums had enough experience to point me to the right part to replace, most likely a switch or a cable but no the complete assembly. As a Mechanical Engineer, I know it is not necessary to replace the whole shifter assembly, there must be a component IN the shifter assembly that failed and that can be replaced or repaired.

I appreciate all comments and useful information that anyone can share.

Many thanks in advance.

k.

[eduardomi]

S.O.S.

[ronn16E90]

Hey bro. I am on the same problem right now, I did the same thing and see if there is any cables that snapped.I found NONE!!! the switch that you found (Last pic) is just to trigger of where your gear is at in the dash. I bought a new shift knob assembly and replace mine 5 minutes ago and still dosent work. I think its more of a coding issue that I need to re program the car. I am taking it to the indie shop again tomorrow see if they can reprogram my car. I will update you

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

Hey bro. I am on the same problem right now, I did the same thing and see if there is any cables that snapped.I found NONE!!! the switch that you found (Last pic) is just to trigger of where your gear is at in the dash. I bought a new shift knob assembly and replace mine 5 minutes ago and still dosent work. I think its more of a coding issue that I need to re program the car. I am taking it to the indie shop again tomorrow see if they can reprogram my car. I will update you

Thanks for replying bro, I thought I was gonna close this thread with no contributions.

Glad to hear the switch I found is just to display the right shifter position, no harm then.

Please do let me know what happens with the Indy and the coding thing, I really hope it is as simple as that. How much did you spend on a new shifter assy?

Good luck tomorrow!

k.

[Dr_Dirt]

Hey eduardomi in that picture near the bottom there is a cluster of wires, the white wire looks cut or is it a black thread crossing it?

[ronn16E90]

The assembly cost me 165 for a used one. I am not 100% sure if it's defective or anything so I wanna try it to my friends.

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by Dr_Dirt

Hey eduardomi in that picture near the bottom there is a cluster of wires, the white wire looks cut or is it a black thread crossing it?

Its a thread from the black tape used to bundle them together. I checked each wire one by one and couldn't find anything.

I hope Ron can resolve it with the coding/programming at the Indy.

peace.

k.

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

The assembly cost me 165 for a used one. I am not 100% sure if it's defective or anything so I wanna try it to my friends.

How difficult is it to swap this shifter assembly? From what I understand there is a rod going down to the transmission, right?

I know ZERO about doing this swap, so I wouldn't adventure into doing it myself.

Actually, I would love to take the whole shifter assy off to check for burt parts or snapped cables somewhere else but I am afraid if I do so, I won't know how to put it back.

k.

[ronn16E90]

Originally Posted by eduardomi

How difficult is it to swap this shifter assembly? From what I understand there is a rod going down to the transmission, right?

I know ZERO about doing this swap, so I wouldn't adventure into doing it myself.

Actually, I would love to take the whole shifter assy off to check for burt parts or snapped cables somewhere else but I am afraid if I do so, I won't know how to put it back.

k.

It is really easy bro. after you take off the 3 allen screws and the wires its already off. then at the transmission part its just a clip and loosen a bolt. I was like WTF when I saw it. difficulty is level is baby LOL

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

It is really easy bro. after you take off the 3 allen screws and the wires its already off. then at the transmission part its just a clip and loosen a bolt. I was like WTF when I saw it. difficulty is level is baby LOL

Did you end up going to the indy today?

Also, I don't think there is a DIY on replacing the shifter. Where did you find the info to do it? I mean I guess there is a procedure, battery disconnected, etc...

Let me know


thanks

k.

[ronn16E90]

I didnt go to the Indy coz it is saturday and all of em are close. I am going to the dealership on monday and Ill tell them what the whole story is

[ronn16E90]

That is the picture of the cable that Attaches to the tranny. That silver bar is the end of the shift knob assembly. You just need to loosen the bolt that holds the "needle" and remove the clip, thats it

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

That is the picture of the cable that Attaches to the tranny. That silver bar is the end of the shift knob assembly. You just need to loosen the bolt that holds the "needle" and remove the clip, thats it

Cool, thanks for the picture bro!!!

I saw that steel wire when I disassembled the shifter to look for snapped wires. Once you take the whole shifter and steel wire out, is it hard to re-route the steel wire down to the transmission? If I remember correctly that wire goes from the shifter down towards the dash panel, right?

Let me know when you go to the Indy/Dealer and/or if you try your new/old shifter in other car.

Many thanks bro. It sucks driving with no DS mode.

k.

[ronn16E90]

Originally Posted by eduardomi

Cool, thanks for the picture bro!!!

I saw that steel wire when I disassembled the shifter to look for snapped wires. Once you take the whole shifter and steel wire out, is it hard to re-route the steel wire down to the transmission? If I remember correctly that wire goes from the shifter down towards the dash panel, right?

Let me know when you go to the Indy/Dealer and/or if you try your new/old shifter in other car.

Many thanks bro. It sucks driving with no DS mode.

k.

No its super easy its just PNP. For sure bro. Ill prolly make my 1st DIY if I am successful

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

No its super easy its just PNP. For sure bro. Ill prolly make my 1st DIY if I am successful

Don forget to let me know how your visit to the dealer goes... I am thrilled to know whats going on with our cars...

Good luck!

k.

[ronn16E90]

OK!!! I just got a call from the dealership and said the shift gear indicator is bad. Its basically the part that attaches to the shift boot. It has the P,R,N, D +/- part. you need to replace that part number is 51167155643

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

OK!!! I just got a call from the dealership and said the shift gear indicator is bad. Its basically the part that attaches to the shift boot. It has the P,R,N, D +/- part. you need to replace that part number is 51167155643

Are you serious? If so, that would be an easy fix!

I just don't get how a small and insignificant part like that can cause a function (ds mode) of the car not to engage. You know what I mean?

Question: When you move your shifter to the left from D...does your +/- indicator lights up? Mine does but in the dash display it reads "D", and I know is not in DS mode cause the car is slow and it doesn't downshift.

I am interested to know if yours lights up or not.

Good luck though, I hope you get it resolved bro.

k.

[ronn16E90]

Originally Posted by eduardomi

Are you serious? If so, that would be an easy fix!

I just don't get how a small and insignificant part like that can cause a function (ds mode) of the car not to engage. You know what I mean?

Question: When you move your shifter to the left from D...does your +/- indicator lights up? Mine does but in the dash display it reads "D", and I know is not in DS mode cause the car is slow and it doesn't downshift.

I am interested to know if yours lights up or not.

Good luck though, I hope you get it resolved bro.

k.

Yes it does. All is working except that in my dash, it dosent show DS m1/m2/m3 etc... it doesn't down or upshift at all.We have the same exact problem. All my wires are fine (coz I replaced it).
If I were you, Ima find a good friend that is nice enough to test his parts to your car to figure out which part is really bad, its either the shift knob assy or the shift knob indicator.

I agree a small shifty piece of shit disabled my life and stressed the eff out of me. I almost trade in and sold the car LOL

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

Yes it does. All is working except that in my dash, it dosent show DS m1/m2/m3 etc... it doesn't down or upshift at all.We have the same exact problem. All my wires are fine (coz I replaced it).
If I were you, Ima find a good friend that is nice enough to test his parts to your car to figure out which part is really bad, its either the shift knob assy or the shift knob indicator.

I agree a small shifty piece of shit disabled my life and stressed the eff out of me. I almost trade in and sold the car LOL

Interesting...I do see M1, M2, M3 on my dash and can shift through paddles and shifter... when I move the shifter to the left the light for +/- light up too.

Did yo pick up the car today? if you did, was the problem solved?

Thanks!

k.

[ronn16E90]

I will get my car tomorrow coz the part that I needed will get shipped from somewhere. It should be just any of the 2 for you bro. Like I said try to borrow and test your suspected broken part to one of your homies

[ronn16E90]

got the car and problem was solved !!

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

got the car and problem was solved !!

Sweet!!!! Congrats man!

Now I have to find someone either willing to let me test on their car or a cheap part on ebay.

Enjoy your ride in DS bro!

k.