A call for help-(i know i reposted)

[Trucidatio]

So went to go get some AA batteries for my mouse, and 1/2 an hour later I am standing in the cold and rain trying to figure out how the hell im going to get my car home.

Im going to keep this simple; just the facts.

Hard shift from 2nd to 3rd.

Transmission did not go into 3rd gear.(LOTS of r3vlimiter)

Shifter has felt extremely loose since I have had the car.

Has had issues going into third.(But it might just be im not used to my new clutch stop.

Clutch will engage and disengage.

Transmission is stuck in reverse.(moved the shifter around, and it happen to get stuck there)

car starts, and it runs fine. Can move in reverse.

I can feel no gates or any signs of gears.

1987 325is Getrag 5 speed.

So either the shift Linkage is F'd, or the transmission imploded.

I need help figuring this out, and then also sourcing parts ASAP.

I have money, beer, and a pretty good collection of parts that i can offer up for any help or parts.Minus transmission stuff.

Also need to know, is if I can use any of the stuff off of my 85' 318i 5 speed.

So please anyone in Great PNW, please help.



for those still reading, the reason for the hard shift and lots of R3ving is I was racing my friend in His 89 alfa romeo milano. See picture below.

[Ray Smoodiver]

"...granny shifting, not double clutching like you should..."

[Trucidatio]

ok good for you now go away.

[drift]

That sounds like the shift linkage is going.
I had the same issue, and it was the selector rod linkage broke apart.

[3bvert]

you say you can not feel gates, but is the shift lever like a big limp noodle, can move it in circles etc
if so, it is disconnected form the tranny, could be a simple clip, but the linkage can brake ( I know, mine broke when in 2nd)
if it feels not so limp, just not connceting, cna be bushings

but your really not gonna know until you climb under neath

[Trucidatio]

alright so it sounds like I am stressing out way to much. Cause what you guys have described is pretty much right on.

The only resistance I can feel is is just the springs that keep the shifter upright. Otherwise it can just rotate around.

[Sepp]

I doubt your transmission is toast, sounds like a linkage...

More pics of the Milano please.

Best 6 cylinder on the planet.

[Trucidatio]

[HellzMindPlaya]

If you were closer I would be over to help you if you want it... But that is a bit of drive if I am not mistaken. Do you know if you have the sheet metal shifter support, or the rod that connects to the back of the transmission? If it is the sheet metal one it is probably just loose. Get the car up on some jack stands and take a look. Good luck.

[Trucidatio]

Ya vancouver is a hell of a drive. Thanks though.


SO does anyone know if the linkage off of my 58' 318i would work?

[StereoInstaller1]

Yes it will work, but you will not be happy with it as it positions the shifter VERY far forward.

It will get you around until you find the right one!

[87e30]

The clip holding the linkage the transmission might have just slipped out, that happened to me (twice, what the fuck?)

But since everything didn't fail at once and you proceeded to get it into gear, then stuck in reverse, it seems possible that the actual linkage is broken.

[spdracrm3]

hopefully it is just linkage

but if not what has most likely occured is a support piece inside the transmission has come loose and this allows the shifter rod to pop out leaving the reverse shift rod engaged and the shifter in the neutral gates of the remaining shift rods (this is what happened to the IX i purchased for cheap after previous owner was having tires install at a firestone shop )and the only way to fix it is to split the case apart to move shift rod back into place and reattatch shift linkage (a quick way to check if this has appened is to see if you can remove the allen bolt on top of the transmission which is supposed to be holding the linkage to the case )see attatched pic

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1113&mospid=47309&btnr=23_0154&hg=23&fg=15

bolt number #25 which holds part #1 to top of case

so while you are under there looking at the linkage and if you cant see anything wrong check this bolt if its loose or can be removed your going to have to split the tranny case to fix it. this is a common issue with hi mileage trans and the sloppy shifter/hard to get into gears is another common issue indicating this condition unfortunately

[Sepp]

nice Milano...I miss mine..
Hope you get your car up soon again.

[Trucidatio]

Car is going up on jacks here soon. Hopefully will just be linkage issues.