[alpineweissm]

So I broke the edges of the cylinder that holds the spring inside. The white cap you see screws down on top of the cylinder. I was attempting to get the car into neutral without starting the engine, and forced the white cap too much. I invite all the comments referring to my ineptitude as long as there are answers to this:

What is the purpose of this mechanism?
Can it do without it?

(Car runs and drives fine with no codes)

2011 335is DCT

[RSL]

Looks like the shift lock for setting neutral when there's no power or when the electronics won't do it. Not sure if there's any issue under normal circumstances, but you'll never get it in neutral in those situations and the only thing worse than breaking down is breaking down in a car that can't move.

Try the owners manual next time, there's a tool in tool kit for it.

[maddmatth]

Originally Posted by RSL

Try the owners manual next time, there's a tool in tool kit for it.

Pretty damn important to read that too. Otherwise you won't know that the DCT automatically puts itself in Park after 20 mins, UNLESS you put it in neutral using the tool.
Wouldn't be good if you were having your car towed with the rear wheels on the ground (not something I'd ever allow for mine though).

[alpineweissm]

I looked at the manual and it directed me to that white piece. I couldn't get it into neutral though so I put a little more strength into it than I should have. What does it take to get thing into neutral without the engine on? I've googled to death. I hate starting the engine just to move the car back 6 inches.

[DerekGates]

Originally Posted by alpineweissm

I looked at the manual and it directed me to that white piece. I couldn't get it into neutral though so I put a little more strength into it than I should have. What does it take to get thing into neutral without the engine on? I've googled to death. I hate starting the engine just to move the car back 6 inches.

You don't... The DCT clutches can't activate without hydraulic pressure. Requires the engine to be running. I understand your frustration; when my oil cooler was hit by a truck tire I had to start the car (with low oil) to activate neutral to get it on and off the tow truck.

The transmission isn't a manual or a basic automatic.


It turns out YOU CAN get out of the 'parking lock' in these transmissions. I wrote this trusting advice given to me. BMW has a parking lock 'escape' under the shift knob (as illustrated in the post below mine). Sorry for the confusion!

[RSL]

Originally Posted by alpineweissm

I looked at the manual and it directed me to that white piece. I couldn't get it into neutral though so I put a little more strength into it than I should have. What does it take to get thing into neutral without the engine on? I've googled to death. I hate starting the engine just to move the car back 6 inches.

Page 63 and just looked at your pic again. The white piece is just a cover, which you might've broke. It takes nothing to get that off. After that, you need to put the allen key in the hex that's underneath it and turn that to release the lock. That one takes some force to disengage.

I hate that you can't move it 6" even with the engine running if the door is open.