Shift Lever problem

[Wynand]

Hi All

Hope I can get some help here...

I recently serviced my 318ti and when I started the car, the shifter moved around from Park to 1ste gear without anything happening. It eventually would not move to Park. After a few failed attempts, I had to start the car to test the gears again.

I forced the lever (which wasn't that hard) into park and started the car and the gears worked. There is just one problem.

All of my gears have moved up a space. Park is now Reverse. Reverse is Neutral. Neutral is drive etc.

Please help, how can I fix this?

[bazar01]

The clamping parts that positions the shift cable on the shifting lever under the car came loose. Put the shifter in park then go under the car, loosen the clamp nut and reset the shift lever to park then tighten the clamp nut.

What exactly was done during the service?
Did you do it yourself or a shop?
If a shop, take it back to them.
If you did, you have no choice but to do it or take it to a shop and pay them.

[Wynand]

Hi

Thanks, I'll do that today.

I just bought the car, so I decided to do the basic service myself.

Oil Change
Oil Filter
Spark Plugs
Air Filter
Drain, flush, re-fill and bleed radiator
Fuel filter

I accidently drained the ATF instead of the oil :frown:

I know, very stupid mistake... But I got all that fixed and re-filled

[bazar01]

I see.

Don't know how the shift cable can get out of positioned though.

Did you fill up the auto transmission with the car level on jack stands while the engine was running and ATF temp at around 110F? There is a narrow temp range. I think it is between 90-130F.

[Wynand]

I undid the shift cable when I was trying to get to the plug that you fill the ATF in. So probably around there I messed something up.

The car was not level and I have learned the hard way that its not the right way to do it. So I am going to do that again today.