335i - Auto transmission won't engage sport mode

Hillstreet · 08-24-2010, 11:36 AM

My 2007 335i suddenly wont engage sport mode. When i try to shift manually it engages the M1, M2, M3 etc but then resets to Drive again after a few seconds.

Anyone else had this problem?

Saint330i · 08-24-2010, 11:49 AM

Recently my 2006 330i steptronic would not shift manually. My dealership replaced my shifter, luckily under extended warranty. Works great now.
My guess is yours is the shifter.

cgnahc · 11-16-2010, 06:40 PM

I'm having the same problem on 2006 325i just this week. No DS and no M1-6. Very Strange! How to fix???

Hillstreet · 11-17-2010, 01:58 AM

It was the shifter in my case, just like Saint330i said.
100% sure you have the same problem.

If you use sport or manual mode alot some wires get bent and finally snap.
The wires cant be replaced so they have to replace the whole thing.

cgnahc · 11-18-2010, 02:14 PM

You're right I use DS at every use. Wires Snap?? That's very poor engineering. I'd never would have thought I wore out the shifter. That's like wearing out the accelerator pedal.

Thanks for the diagnosis. Is this as simple as replacing the shifter or if there is a wiring harness to replace also?

fdriller9 · 11-18-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgnahc

You're right I use DS at every use. Wires Snap?? That's very poor engineering. I'd never would have thought I wore out the shifter. That's like wearing out the accelerator pedal.

Thanks for the diagnosis. Is this as simple as replacing the shifter or if there is a wiring harness to replace also?

I would assume you need to replace the whole shifter assembly....like not just the cover with the lights, but the whole shifter going down to the transmission.

samchoi604 · 11-20-2010, 04:22 PM

Have you tried resetting the transmission (the manual shows how to do it, I forgot how).

In any case, this sounds very bad. Good thing I don't use DS very often.

cgnahc · 12-29-2010, 07:19 PM

The fix is installing a new gear shift assembly.
Similar to item number 25167548037, but will depend on your specific year and model. check on realoem.com

kash_0 · 01-20-2011, 02:33 AM

hi guys,

might be having the same problem, car won't engage sport mode. Is the following repair cheap if it is indeed the gear selector, car is out of warranty.

TurboBimmer · 01-20-2011, 12:00 PM

I have the same problem. Any fix besided replacing the whole gear assembly?

Bash · 03-02-2011, 06:36 PM

I had the same problem, so my cousin and I took the console out covering the gear knob and then turned the car on and starting switching back and forth.
Turned out to be broken cable from the back behind D position, fixed all good now. Try it out it might be the same I just saved 500$

Kodak · 06-18-2011, 10:15 PM

Damn, that some major headache if so many people are having the same problems using their shifts, so if you use the Manual/Sport mode you'll damage it, leave it alone and your ok. Maybe if more members complain about it, BMW "might" offer some type of updated repairs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillstreet

It was the shifter in my case, just like Saint330i said.
100% sure you have the same problem.

If you use sport or manual mode alot some wires get bent and finally snap.
The wires cant be replaced so they have to replace the whole thing.

335i Pal · 06-19-2011, 11:35 AM

I had the same problem, but luckily had it replaced under warranty. If not it would have been over $800!!!! And the same as everyone else the whole gear shift assembly had to be replaced because the solenoid that engages sport mode was busted.

Chriztofor · 06-19-2011, 01:23 PM

I thought i saw a post that only a wire was broken in the shift assembly and the whole thing did not need to be replaced. Do a search and see if you can find it.

Chriztofor · 06-19-2011, 01:23 PM

Duh, post 11 above!

ronn16E90 · 08-13-2011, 02:18 PM

I just replaced my shift assembly and still didnt work

tibra1 · 08-13-2011, 02:21 PM

MT...FTW!!

ronn16E90 · 08-14-2011, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibra1

MT...FTW!!

SERIOUSLY bro. I will never get a Steptronic sports car

lookin4e90 · 09-02-2011, 03:53 PM

This just happened to me this morning. Anyone with this problem have any updates? (estimates, repairs $$$, DIY, dealer or indy shop)

Me_Hi · 09-10-2011, 08:26 PM

Dude, it took me 20 minutes to fix
You just need basic tools and electric tape

First VR4 · 09-13-2011, 09:27 PM

Me Hi, Do you have any instructions or pictures?

dlira · 11-04-2011, 11:00 AM

I have the same problem with a 328xi wagon. I used the DS mode a lot (because I loved the way it drove).My BMW fixers says to replace the whole shifter to the tune of some $900.

08-24-2010, 11:36 AM	#1
Hillstreet meow 14 Rep 38 Posts Drives: BMW 340i xDrive Touring Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	335i - Auto transmission won't engage sport mode My 2007 335i suddenly wont engage sport mode. When i try to shift manually it engages the M1, M2, M3 etc but then resets to Drive again after a few seconds. Anyone else had this problem? __________________ '16 340i xdrive Touring Black Sapphire/Dakota '11 Mercedes C 63 Sedan Tenorite Grey/Black leather
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08-24-2010, 11:49 AM	#2
Saint330i Private 1 Rep 56 Posts Drives: Dinan3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	Recently my 2006 330i steptronic would not shift manually. My dealership replaced my shifter, luckily under extended warranty. Works great now. My guess is yours is the shifter.
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11-16-2010, 06:40 PM	#3
cgnahc Major 86 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: TiAg E90 ZSP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Westlake Village, CA iTrader: (9)	I'm having the same problem on 2006 325i just this week. No DS and no M1-6. Very Strange! How to fix??? __________________ Need someone to install angle eye bulbs December 2018 Last edited by cgnahc; 11-16-2010 at 06:45 PM..
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11-17-2010, 01:58 AM	#4
Hillstreet meow 14 Rep 38 Posts Drives: BMW 340i xDrive Touring Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	It was the shifter in my case, just like Saint330i said. 100% sure you have the same problem. If you use sport or manual mode alot some wires get bent and finally snap. The wires cant be replaced so they have to replace the whole thing. __________________ '16 340i xdrive Touring Black Sapphire/Dakota '11 Mercedes C 63 Sedan Tenorite Grey/Black leather Last edited by Hillstreet; 11-17-2010 at 02:03 AM..
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11-18-2010, 02:14 PM	#5
cgnahc Major 86 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: TiAg E90 ZSP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Westlake Village, CA iTrader: (9)	You're right I use DS at every use. Wires Snap?? That's very poor engineering. I'd never would have thought I wore out the shifter. That's like wearing out the accelerator pedal. Thanks for the diagnosis. Is this as simple as replacing the shifter or if there is a wiring harness to replace also? __________________ Need someone to install angle eye bulbs December 2018
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11-20-2010, 04:22 PM	#7
samchoi604 Colonel 64 Rep 2,334 Posts Drives: black on black Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby, BC iTrader: (3)	Have you tried resetting the transmission (the manual shows how to do it, I forgot how). In any case, this sounds very bad. Good thing I don't use DS very often.
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12-29-2010, 07:19 PM	#8
cgnahc Major 86 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: TiAg E90 ZSP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Westlake Village, CA iTrader: (9)	The fix is installing a new gear shift assembly. Similar to item number 25167548037, but will depend on your specific year and model. check on realoem.com __________________ Need someone to install angle eye bulbs December 2018
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01-20-2011, 02:33 AM	#9
kash_0 Private First Class 10 Rep 115 Posts Drives: F30 340i MSport Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	hi guys, might be having the same problem, car won't engage sport mode. Is the following repair cheap if it is indeed the gear selector, car is out of warranty.
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01-20-2011, 12:00 PM	#10
TurboBimmer Lieutenant Colonel 82 Rep 1,616 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Luxembourg iTrader: (5)	I have the same problem. Any fix besided replacing the whole gear assembly? __________________ Performance Seats, Exhaust, Splitters, Pedals, Steering Wheel / RB Turbos / M3 CF Roof / Brembo GT BBK 355/345 / Rollcage / Forge FMIC / Quaife LSD / Öhlins Road & Track / M3 Suspension Parts / Solid Subframe Bushings / Vorshlag Camberplates / Megan Racing Toe Links / LeatherZ Gauges / Extended M3 DCT Paddles / ER Sports OC / AR OC / Aux Radiator / AR DPs / Alpina TCU / COBB Pro-Tune
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03-02-2011, 06:36 PM	#11
Bash First Lieutenant 8 Rep 395 Posts Drives: E92-335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Beirut iTrader: (0)	I had the same problem, so my cousin and I took the console out covering the gear knob and then turned the car on and starting switching back and forth. Turned out to be broken cable from the back behind D position, fixed all good now. Try it out it might be the same I just saved 500$
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06-19-2011, 11:35 AM	#13
335i Pal Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1)	I had the same problem, but luckily had it replaced under warranty. If not it would have been over $800!!!! And the same as everyone else the whole gear shift assembly had to be replaced because the solenoid that engages sport mode was busted. __________________ 335i E90 \| BMS DCI \| Black Matte Grill \| JB4 \| Logic 7 \| Sport \| Premium \| Cold \|
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06-19-2011, 01:23 PM	#14
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	I thought i saw a post that only a wire was broken in the shift assembly and the whole thing did not need to be replaced. Do a search and see if you can find it. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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06-19-2011, 01:23 PM	#15
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Duh, post 11 above! __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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08-13-2011, 02:18 PM	#16
ronn16E90 Major 132 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E90 N52 & E92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Auburn iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 E92 M3 [0.00] 2006 325i [9.00]	I just replaced my shift assembly and still didnt work __________________
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08-13-2011, 02:21 PM	#17
tibra1 Banned 132 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	MT...FTW!!
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09-02-2011, 03:53 PM	#19
lookin4e90 Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 239 Posts Drives: P car F car Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: so cal iTrader: (4)	This just happened to me this morning. Anyone with this problem have any updates? (estimates, repairs $$$, DIY, dealer or indy shop)
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09-10-2011, 08:26 PM	#20
Me_Hi Major 38 Rep 1,488 Posts Drives: * Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: * iTrader: (13)	Dude, it took me 20 minutes to fix You just need basic tools and electric tape __________________
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09-13-2011, 09:27 PM	#21
First VR4 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2012 X5d x2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pine Bush, NY iTrader: (0)	Me Hi, Do you have any instructions or pictures?
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11-04-2011, 11:00 AM	#22
dlira Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2008 328xit Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Delaware iTrader: (0)	I have the same problem with a 328xi wagon. I used the DS mode a lot (because I loved the way it drove).My BMW fixers says to replace the whole shifter to the tune of some $900.
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