Trans stuck in 2nd gear. What are the likely culprits?

[LTDScott]

While racing my '87 BMW 325e race car at the drag strip (shut up, it's part of the racing series we're in), the transmission got stuck in 2nd gear. No amount of wiggling or moving the shifter will break it free. Clutch engages/disengages fine.

We flat tow our car to the track, so I had to remove the driveshaft just to get the car home. When I was unbolting the guibo (in the dark on the dirt) I put my hand up above the transmission and couldn't feel anything out of place, but I couldn't really tell.

I won't have time to lower the tranny down and take a look until this weekend, but I'm hoping something in the linkage may have popped out. Has anyone else run into this issue? Any ideas what it may be? Worst case scenario the trans might be broken, but I hope not.

[E30_fiend]

It could be one of a few things. First and most likely is a broken selector rod. This has happened to a few friends of mine with their e30s. And another thing you can check is exactly what you pointed out. The linkage or possibly the "bitch clip" on the top of the tranny at the other end of the shift carrier.


Good luck






Taylor

[LTDScott]

Would the shifter (as felt from inside the car) actually be "stuck" in gear if it was a broken shifter rod? I cannot disengage the shifter from 2nd, not just the trans. I figure if it was the rod, I'd be able to move the shifter in the car all over the place but it just wouldn't engage any gear.

[jlevie]

If the shifter won't move, the problem is within the transmission. If the shifter does move but won't change gears, it becomes the prime suspect.

[LTDScott]

If the shifter won't move, the problem is within the transmission. If the shifter does move but won't change gears, it becomes the prime suspect.

The shifter does not move, which is what I'm afraid of.

[xLibelle]

thats awesome.

if you open the tranny, show us a picture of what you find

[LTDScott]

If anyone was waiting with bated breath, the cause of the problem is grim. Trans is stuck in 2nd and no amount of prying or banging will break it free :(

Looks like I'll be in the market for a used trans unless anyone else has a better idea.