Car's parked and stuck in FIRST! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

C_Stradale · 21st July 2007, 06:17

Returned to my car to find it stuck in 1st gear, and the shift lever frozen solid. Had to have it towed to the dealership at midnite, and get a ride home. Is this something they can easily fix? It actually looks like it's in neutral, in that it's leaning to the left, but 1st is showing on the dash indicator. Bummer!

freddydi · 21st July 2007, 07:19

ahh you can now join the "SMG stuck in 1st & needs towing "club-- Ashok= president LOL. Sorry to say it could be several things, all of which likely will take +- 2 weeks, depending upon inventory and severity. I feel your pain, been there twice!

what year/production date?

mcw331 · 21st July 2007, 08:52

Just happened to me last Sunday (stuck in neutral). And it wouldn't start.
Ended up be a faulty SMG pump for which there is a SIB posted in another thread (search for smg pump failure). The tech said last year when they got a few in BMW had them replace the whole transmission... but now they have found that it is the result of a faulty pump that doesn't allow the SMG to pressurize. total of 4 days including overnighting the pump in... up and running fine. It actaully feel stonger than before.

here is the link
Recall for SMG electric motor

kees · 21st July 2007, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcw331

here is the link
Recall for SMG electric motor

Added to FAQ thread.

C_Stradale · 21st July 2007, 13:22

My friend offered to take me home and return to meet the tow truck, since he only loves about a mile away, since BMW Assist said it would take 75 mins for the truck to arrive. (didn't take that long, btw). Before the tow guy literally dragged the car onto the flatbed from back, which may have been very bad for the car, since it was in 1st, my friend tried to start it, and it fired right up.

(ok, folks here's the kicker, and the explanation of why I'm apparently such a friggin retard)!

It seems I may have never actually tried the starter button, since the shift lever was pulled to the left and indicating 1st gear! Looking back, in all my frustration with not being able to move the shifter, I don't think I ever tried the starter button. Looks like I may have inadvertantly pulled the lever over to the left neutral position after shutting the car off, but locking the car is 1st gear as it should do. Pressing the starter button then engaged neutral and started the car. Lesson learned, and egg on face big time!

EM_5 · 21st July 2007, 14:35

Respect! ...For admitting the boo-boo that you did. I for one would not man up to anyone about forgetting to start the car. Well, we all have "those" days. It's probably the SMG omen and horror stories you read that led you to jump to that conclusion.

Now go apologize to your baby for having her dragged by her hair onto the flatbed, caveman style!

C_Stradale · 21st July 2007, 14:47

Well, in my defense, I did just finish shooting a 3hr dance performance in an amphitheatre, and was very tired and it was very late! Thanks for the commiseration!
Edit: They never had to drag in onto the flatbed, thank God!

M5Wagon · 21st July 2007, 15:50

Must admit i've done that a couple times too, thought the car was locked up in the red cog scenario to find hitting the start button let it go. Momentary panic for sure the first time it happened...

unfoundhorsepower · 21st July 2007, 16:35

It takes a person of good conscience to admit their ignorance !!!!! Been there ,done that !!!!!!!!

C_Stradale · 21st July 2007, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by unfoundhorsepower

It takes a person of good conscience to admit their ignorance !!!!! Been there ,done that !!!!!!!!

At least I'll know better next time, and I am happy it's not broken, wasn't dragged backwards while in gear onto the flatbed, and left to sit rotting at the dealership all weekend! things could'a been worse!

dyc1077 · 21st July 2007, 23:05

Actually, I noticed the same thing. Since my car got updated, whenever I shut off the car, it tells me to put it in gear. When I go back to start the car, I have to put it in Neutral, but the indicator in the dash always says 1st gear until the car starts up at which point it shifts to neutral.