[CoralRed335XI]

Dealer quoted me 1250 for this today. I laughed and said gimme my car back. Fix in no time and cost me nothing

[Ess]

Originally Posted by apocalypse

Hey, how did you guys access the small torx bolts? After removing the 3 large torx bolts and wiggling the shifter, I still can't get enough clearance to get a tool in there to unscrew the bolts on the right side.

I had exactly this problem when trying to check my wires today. Is it safe to force the whole assembly until the small Torx screws are accessible? I was reluctant to force it as even though the three big Torx screws were out, the shifter assembly is clearly still attached somehow...

Thanks!

[nycbr]

need to do this soon. Think it is necessary to disconnect the battery for this repair?

bump for response

[nycbr]

Just finished. My car would upshift but not downshift in manual. Found two broken wires [white and purple] that I soldered and shrink wrapped. They were broken very close to the shifter so it was a little tight. It was also a little hard to get to the small torx screws for the cover. Closed it up and back in business.

God bless this website; I just saved big bucks.

[mimik]

Originally Posted by Ess

I had exactly this problem when trying to check my wires today. Is it safe to force the whole assembly until the small Torx screws are accessible? I was reluctant to force it as even though the three big Torx screws were out, the shifter assembly is clearly still attached somehow...

Thanks!

Funny this is my issue too!. I can't access those 9 torx screws. Plus that silver metallic connection is still attached.

Can anyone please let us know how you removed the 9torx screws given their position?

[Ess]

Originally Posted by mimik

Funny this is my issue too!. I can't access those 9 torx screws. Plus that silver metallic connection is still attached.

Can anyone please let us know how you removed the 9torx screws given their position?

In the end I left the car with a colleague so I didn't see how he did it, but what I can say is that I've found what can only be described as a "bendy extension" for my screw driver in my tool box. It's a flexible spring-like tube which connects to the screw driver handle and then allows you to put the screw driver tip to the other side - the result is a flexible screw driver, if that makes sense. I think had my colleague not been able to get it open for me, I would have been able to use this tool to get the screws out.



Hope that helps!

[nycbr]

Originally Posted by mimik

Funny this is my issue too!. I can't access those 9 torx screws. Plus that silver metallic connection is still attached.

Can anyone please let us know how you removed the 9torx screws given their position?

I used just the torx tip from the screwdriver set and turned it with a 1/4" wrench. Slow process but worked.

[Ilma]

Lost my DS mode yesterday and checked the gearbox wires as posted in this thread.......

Green wire was completely cut and the rest of them were partially severed.

2008 E82 6AT.

Dealer quoted $745 Cdn for gearbox selector mechanism alone. And that was with a 20% discount.

Many many thanks to OP

This is obviously a stupid design flaw.

[hiter202]

.

[Romanian nightmare]

So I did this today and I ended up having to take out the entire middle console using the directions from Pelican Parts. While it looked overwhelming, it was nut bad. However, after I spliced the wires back (had two completely broken and the rest were all on their way) and started to reconnect everything back, I got the transmission or gear malfunction error on the dashboard. Once I finish everythingiI started the car and the same error appeared and I can nut shift into any gear. I can use the emergency release, but obviously this is not normal. I did a search and can't find anything on this issue. Any ideas? Did I really screw things up and gave to go to the stealership? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Romanian nightmare]

Monday Bump!!!! Anyone?????

[Romanian nightmare]

So out of all of you that did this, not one person had this error or issue happen? I'm taking my car in tomorrow morning to the shop, but I'd still like to hear from anyone that had this happen to them....

Please help!!!

[Ilma]

Originally Posted by Romanian nightmare

So out of all of you that did this, not one person had this error or issue happen? I'm taking my car in tomorrow morning to the shop, but I'd still like to hear from anyone that had this happen to them....

Please help!!!

Why don't you pull off the shifter cover plate and make sure you connected all the electrical plugs properly.

I forgot to reconnect one of mine and I got a gearbox symbol on the dash and the shifter wouldn't work until I reconnected the plug I forgot.

[Romanian nightmare]

So, after taking it to a BMW shop in town, it's the solenoid C in the gear shift units that has gone bad. The code is P0979. I can not replace just the solenoid, so if I want this fixed, I have to but the whole unit (part # 25167563655). The shop confirmed that my work was properly done and all wires were connected as they should be. So, now I'm debating if I should buy a used module for about $250, or get a new one for about $600. The instalation should be fairly simple. Oh, and the BMW shop did not charge me anything for looking at the car. I will definitely take it back there. Awesome customer service!

[hiter202]

Originally Posted by Romanian nightmare

So, after taking it to a BMW shop in town, it's the solenoid C in the gear shift units that has gone bad. The code is P0979. I can not replace just the solenoid, so if I want this fixed, I have to but the whole unit (part # 25167563655). The shop confirmed that my work was properly done and all wires were connected as they should be. So, now I'm debating if I should buy a used module for about $250, or get a new one for about $600. The instalation should be fairly simple. Oh, and the BMW shop did not charge me anything for looking at the car. I will definitely take it back there. Awesome customer service!

Hey, I would buy a used one honestly
Here you go. I found one for $130 and if you submit a best offer, he might accept.

There might also be a cheaper one on there, I sort of selected the closest/best looking one that comes with Shifter and boot.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-E90-...19765c&vxp=mtr

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIFTER-GEAR...d9c179&vxp=mtr

[Romanian nightmare]

Originally Posted by elitefusion

Hey, I would buy a used one honestly
Here you go. I found one for $130 and if you submit a best offer, he might accept.

There might also be a cheaper one on there, I sort of selected the closest/best looking one that comes with Shifter and boot.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-E90-...19765c&vxp=mtr

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIFTER-GEAR...d9c179&vxp=mtr

Thank you! I'm certainly contemplating this option. My only fear is that I will spend $150 or so and it may still not work, or worse, work for a little bit and than have the same issue. Or spend the $600 and get some peace of mind. Decisions, decisions..... Thanks again!

[hiter202]

Originally Posted by Romanian nightmare

Thank you! I'm certainly contemplating this option. My only fear is that I will spend $150 or so and it may still not work, or worse, work for a little bit and than have the same issue. Or spend the $600 and get some peace of mind. Decisions, decisions..... Thanks again!

Id go for used because if it does work and wont crap out on you, its piece of mind saving $450 bucks lol and instead you can get some nice grills, performance shift knob or even possibly some performance parts lol

totally your call though

pay with AMEX via PayPal and they should be able to cover a dispute if it still does not work, because perhaps it really is the shifter that will come damaged and not the car. just my 2cents lol

[Romanian nightmare]

Originally Posted by elitefusion

Id go for used because if it does work and wont crap out on you, its piece of mind saving $450 bucks lol and instead you can get some nice grills, performance shift knob or even possibly some performance parts lol

totally your call though

pay with AMEX via PayPal and they should be able to cover a dispute if it still does not work, because perhaps it really is the shifter that will come damaged and not the car. just my 2cents lol

Good sound advice....thank you! I'll keep you posted. It would be nice to get a few other things so we'll see.

Is there a DIY for replacing the gearshift assembly that you know of? I just started to do the research....

[hiter202]

Originally Posted by Romanian nightmare

Good sound advice....thank you! I'll keep you posted. It would be nice to get a few other things so we'll see.

Is there a DIY for replacing the gearshift assembly that you know of? I just started to do the research....

That i do not know unfortunately. I never replaced one. Sorry man

[507fan]

I am excited to finally fix mine after many months of living in D. Refusing to give the dealer $1K+ to fix what is known to be a minor issue, this is my first DIY. This thread is amazing, but I cannot find a decent write up or video on removing the center console so that I can get at the torque screws and ultimately enough room to solder the wires.
I would be extremely appreciative if someone could point me in the right direction.

[Swish]

I've been putting this off for a while after failing on my first attempt. I tried it solo but couldn't get to the small torx screws facing the passenger seat.

I enlisted my wife today and she was able to get them out as I hell the assembly up as best I could. Once we got that plastic shield off, I pulled the wires out and stripped off the black tape to find 4 wires completely split. I actually ended up splicing two others that appears to be close to breaking so I didn't have to go back in there.

As others mentioned, I didn't tuck the wires behind that plastic shield when I reassembled. There's plenty of room to let them hand out over the top.

While I didn't drive it yet, all the lights show up on the dash as well as the steptronic gears, none of which were working before, so I'm sure I'm good to go!

[TomDolak]

I had sport mode and was able to upshift but could not downshift. The purple wire had broken and others had slight damage. Repairing the purple wire restored downshift capability.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1R...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1R...ew?usp=sharing