Stuck Shifter, wtf?

[3002 tii]

Every once in a while, when I'm at a red light and the car's in neutral, I have problems putting the car in first. It just doesn't want to go, it'll nudge a little bit but won't go any further. It's like you're fighting the shifter so instead I just put in 2nd and go on my way. This happens very rarely so never cared... *Edit, oh yea I first noticed then when I switched to the ZHP knob, but does that really make a difference?

But yesterday, I had the same problem but it was for EVERY gear. I literally could not put the car into any gear, only neutral... despite holding down the clutch fully. Turn the engine off, shifter is loose and I can put it in any gear. Turn the car, shifter is stuck. I stalled 2-3x and I finally got to my destination. But even so, the shifts were very mechanical and sticky, not fluid like it should be. I let the car sit in the parking lot for few hours, come back from hanging out and car is fine on the way home...

What's going on? Anyone else have this problem? I did swap CDVs but the car was driving fine for the first few weeks after swap so I doubt that's the reason. Plus the problem I mentioned earlier about having trouble getting into 1st occurred before I even swapped CDVs...

[pbdm4k]

Well, you are under warranty so I would suggest going through that first.
But if you did a CDV swap, was it tightened correctly? The clutch is hydraulic so if its leaking it may not fully disengage the clutch anymore.

Usually at red lights I go into 2nd gear then into first before I go on my way. It just lines up the gears better. Trucker thing I suppose? Picked it up from my dad. He used to drive trucks waaaaaay back when in Hong Kong.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

Well, you are under warranty so I would suggest going through that first.
But if you did a CDV swap, was it tightened correctly? The clutch is hydraulic so if its leaking it may not fully disengage the clutch anymore.

Usually at red lights I go into 2nd gear then into first before I go on my way. It just lines up the gears better. Trucker thing I suppose? Picked it up from my dad. He used to drive trucks waaaaaay back when in Hong Kong.

I usually go into Reverse and then First... just to scare the sh*t out of the person behind me.

I have never had trouble getting this car into first. I have trouble with my Mustang sometimes... but I don't know the cause either. I would have been calling the dealership while trying to drive if that ever happened to me!

[Incompatible]

Have you installed a clutch pedal stop? If you have, the current adjustment may be set to high which is preventing you from fully releasing the clutch when you depress the pedal.

[Black///Mamba]

i have the same problem in my car at times. i sometimes just have to put it in 2nd, and then slowly put it in 1st. very annoying

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Incompatible

Have you installed a clutch pedal stop? If you have, the current adjustment may be set to high which is preventing you from fully releasing the clutch when you depress the pedal.

nope, did not install

Originally Posted by Black///M

i have the same problem in my car at times. i sometimes just have to put it in 2nd, and then slowly put it in 1st. very annoying

glad to know i'm not the only one. the occasional issues of getting into first, not a big deal, but yesterday was bad. it literally got stuck in neutral, and if i did somehow get into first or second, i couldn't get it out of that gear. i had to shut down and put it back in gear, very annoying.

[Dammmittt]

Mine gives me the clunk to know I'm in, but I don't think it has ever refused to go into 1st. I'd have your stealer take a look at the gearbox.

[Matjo]

This is whats its like to drive a manual. Every gearbox is like this, sometimes you just have to roll the car a cm and the gear will "come" in Different if ANY gear doesn't come in though...

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Matjo

This is whats its like to drive a manual. Every gearbox is like this, sometimes you just have to roll the car a cm and the gear will "come" in Different if ANY gear doesn't come in though...

yea, usually you blip the throttle and it'll go in first, thats why it wasn't a big concern. but yesterday was different story. stuck in netural. if i got it in a gear, couldn't get it out. only way was to turn the key off.

scheduled a visit with dealer. i'll provide updates as they come.

[vm]

To me it sounds like air in the clutch line. I would bleed the slave cylinder.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by vm

To me it sounds like air in the clutch line. I would bleed the slave cylinder.

hmm... i wonder if that could've happened while replacing the cdv?

[AWM3]

If it goes into gear with the engine off and won't with the engine on, the clutch is not releasing fully. First thing to check is the hydraulic line and the slave cylinder.

Years ago on the crappy British sports cars, sometimes the clutch would stick to the pressure plate - we would fix that by jacking up the rear of the car, revving the sh*t out of the motor, then dropping the jack suddenly. That was always fun, haven't had a chance to do that for a long time though.

[vm]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

hmm... i wonder if that could've happened while replacing the cdv?

Yes, it could. BTW, the method I use to extract the last air bubbles on the line is to have someone pump the clutch about 10 times and, while leaving the clutch pressed, I would open the bleeder to let the air and liquid escape. Then, close the bleeder (clutch pressed all the time) and repeat this process about 5 times minimum or more if bubbles are still visible.

[3002 tii]

So was driving this past Friday and the transmission finally gave. Not only did it get stuck in gear and eventually stall on me, but the clutch pedal lost all firmness.

Called BMW Assist and left the car with the dealer. Got the call this morning, believe it or not, but the pressure plates failed and the WHOLE clutch has to be replaced, thankfully all under warranty.

[RichardTS]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Every once in a while, when I'm at a red light and the car's in neutral, I have problems putting the car in first. It just doesn't want to go, it'll nudge a little bit but won't go any further. It's like you're fighting the shifter so instead I just put in 2nd and go on my way. This happens very rarely so never cared... *Edit, oh yea I first noticed then when I switched to the ZHP knob, but does that really make a difference?

But yesterday, I had the same problem but it was for EVERY gear. I literally could not put the car into any gear, only neutral... despite holding down the clutch fully. Turn the engine off, shifter is loose and I can put it in any gear. Turn the car, shifter is stuck. I stalled 2-3x and I finally got to my destination. But even so, the shifts were very mechanical and sticky, not fluid like it should be. I let the car sit in the parking lot for few hours, come back from hanging out and car is fine on the way home...

What's going on? Anyone else have this problem? I did swap CDVs but the car was driving fine for the first few weeks after swap so I doubt that's the reason. Plus the problem I mentioned earlier about having trouble getting into 1st occurred before I even swapped CDVs...

Clutch is whacked.

[rc'Z]

How many miles do you have on your Z?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by rc'Z

How many miles do you have on your Z?

around 10.5k

[F360C]

Sorry to hear about the problems but at least you are getting a brand new clutch out of the deal! Are you still going to make it to Bimmerfest East?

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by F360C

Sorry to hear about the problems but at least you are getting a brand new clutch out of the deal! Are you still going to make it to Bimmerfest East?

Bimmerfest.. EAST??

Where/When is it? I might make the drive. One last hurrah before my baby gets tucked away for the winter.

[F360C]

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

Bimmerfest.. EAST??

Where/When is it? I might make the drive. One last hurrah before my baby gets tucked away for the winter.

This saturday here in the Dirty Jerz

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by F360C

This saturday here in the Dirty Jerz

Damn, definately can't make it then.
Hey, next time you're in Barrie we should meet up for a cruise.

I don't think I've seen you and your brother since last summer?

[F360C]

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

Damn, definately can't make it then.
Hey, next time you're in Barrie we should meet up for a cruise.

I don't think I've seen you and your brother since last summer?

we'll be back up there after christmas but we usually don't bring our m coupes back up until around april. We will be kicking around there the whole summer though. Cruise for sure and def some track days!