No forward gears + TRANS PROGRAM message + ‘de-energised’ gear selector lever

I would appreciate advice on the above symptoms on my 1992 525i Touring (auto) 90,000 miles (A4S 310R transmission according to my Bentley’s, but haven’t had a chance to jack the car up to check). Sorry for the long post but I’ve tried to describe the problem as fully as possible.

A few days ago, on parking my car, the gear selector went limp as I put it into ‘Park’ and the TRANS PROGRAM message popped up. Looking at Bentley’s, it says “the automatic shiftlock feature fitted to 1992 cars uses an electric solenoid to lock the gear selector lever in P or N. Depressing the foot brake with the ignition on energises the solenoid, allowing the lever to be moved into a drive gear.” Following this, I eventually managed to lock (re-energise) the gear selector lever and TRANS PROGRAM message disappears. However I now only have reverse gear. (Same symptoms in Winter and Sports modes). Also, given a bit of gentle pressure, the lever can be moved out of Park without depressing the pull rod on the underside of the shifter handle.

Also, I can’t actually locate the shiftlock solenoid. From what I’ve read, I expected to find it mounted on the selector lever assembly immediately to one side of the lever. Although Bentley’s says that 1992 and later cars are fitted with automatic shiftlock, as it was registered new in March 1992, maybe my car is too early for this feature? It’s a UK spec car.

From the above, especially the TRANS PROGRAM message, I’m guessing it’s an electronics failure except that I have NO forward gears, and would expect at least one forward gear with an electronics problem.

I read elsewhere about disconnecting the transmission computer to confirm that it’s an electronic problem – I read that if it’s electronic, disconnecting the computer would give me third gear; otherwise it’s likely to be forward clutch failure. Not sure what I need to do to disconnect tranny computer.

Alternatively, could it be transmission fluid level? Can’t find a dipstick even though I think my transmission is supposed to have one. Do I have to remove the engine cover to access the dipstick? Or maybe it’s broken shifter cable somewhere?

Thanks very much in advance for any help.

Phil
West Sussex, UK

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Originally Posted by Phil F

Also, I can’t actually locate the shiftlock solenoid. From what I’ve read, I expected to find it mounted on the selector lever assembly immediately to one side of the lever. Although Bentley’s says that 1992 and later cars are fitted with automatic shiftlock, as it was registered new in March 1992, maybe my car is too early for this feature? It’s a UK spec car.

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I'm not sure with car being a UK model - but the shiftlock is located directly on the side of the shifter.

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Alternatively, could it be transmission fluid level? Can’t find a dipstick even though I think my transmission is supposed to have one. Do I have to remove the engine cover to access the dipstick? Or maybe it’s broken shifter cable somewhere?

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There isn't a dip stick you check the level via the fill hole. Start the engine and with the car idling fill the tranny till the fluid overflows back out the fill hole.

Yes, I expected to see something directly to the side of the lever, but can't find anything. Nor can I hear any clicking, I expected to hear something.

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Originally Posted by Phil F

Yes, I expected to see something directly to the side of the lever, but can't find anything. Nor can I hear any clicking, I expected to hear something.

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Check out www.realoem.com they have some good pictures of the solenoid.

do a search, someone had a very similar problem. uk spec cars apparently dont have the interlock by the way.

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Originally Posted by BillionPa

do a search, someone had a very similar problem. uk spec cars apparently dont have the interlock by the way.

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I've tried searching archieves but afaid I can't find anything similar. Thanks for the info on the interlock