12-25-2012, 05:29 PM | #24 | |
Registered
0
Rep 3
Posts |
the gear shifter procedure does not work
We tried the gear shifter procedure (both myself and the service manager at the BMW dealer). It does not put the car in neutral!! Has anyone actually seen this work or is everyone just propogating an urban/ internet myth.
The service guy at BMW learned about it from one of these forums, he tried it and said it does not work. BMW regional service does not seem to know anything about it. The car engine has to go on to unlock the gear to neutral. If you have electrical power but the engine does not start then the gear shifter procedure does not work. If someone actually gets it to work let me know. The under body panel removal/screw procedure works, but if you break down far from a dealer and have power but cannot get the engine to start that is the only way to get the car into neutral to get loaded on to a flatbed. The BMW assist/tow people say they will not unscrew the underbody panels and then turn the screw to unlock the gears. BMW says the towing companies are supposed to be trained and willing to perform this function. Not true according to the tow guys. The dealer who was 4 miles (10 minutes) away from where the car refused to start initially did not want to send a service tech out to remove the under panels and put the car in neutral so we could get it on a flatbed. He said his WC liability policy did not cover his guys working off site. He finally agreed, after I asked him how many milleniums my car would have to sit in the parking lot until they helped me out. It took 2 BMW service techs from the dealer an hour to remove the underbody panels and turn the gear unlock screw at a target parking lot where the car was broken down. It has 9800 miles on it and after 2 weeks they finally figured out that it needed a new computer module that sends signals to engine to start. What kind of engineering is this? Things break on a brand new car and then there is no way to get it on a flatbed to transport. Going to trade this vehicle in for a reliable brand that can be put in neutral for safe transport if need be. Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-25-2012, 05:32 PM | #25 | |
Registered
0
Rep 3
Posts |
Putting X3 in neutral
We tried the gear shifter procedure (both myself and the service manager at the BMW dealer). It does not put the car in neutral!! Has anyone actually seen this work or is everyone just propogating an urban/ internet myth.
The service guy at BMW learned about it from one of these forums, he tried it and said it does not work.BMW regional service does not seem to know anything about it. The car engine has to go on to unlock the gear to neutral. If you have power but no ingnition then the gear shifter procedure does not work. The under body panel removal/screw procedure works, but if you break down far from a dealer and have power but cannot get the engine to start that is the only way to get the car into neutral to get loaded on to a flatbed. The BMW assist/tow people say they will not unscrew the underbody panels and then turn the screw to unlock the gears. BMW says the towing companies are supposed to be trained and willing to perform this function. Not true according to the tow guys. The dealer who was 4 miles (10 minutes) away from where the car refused to start initially did not want to send a service tech out to remove the under panels and put the car in neutral so we could get it on a flatbed. He said his WC liability policy did not cover his guys working off site He finally agreed, after I asked him how many milleniums my car would have to sit in the parking lot until they helped me out. It took 2 BMW service techs from the dealer an hour to remove the underbody panels and turn the gear unlock screw at a target parking lot where the car was. It has 9800 miles on it and they finally figured out that it needed a new computer module after 2 weeks of trying to figure out what was wrong. What kind of engineering is this? Things break on a brand new car and then there is no way to get it on a flatbed to transport. Going to trade this vehicle in for a reliable brand that can be put in neutral for safe transport if need be. Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-25-2012, 05:59 PM | #27 |
Owner
132
Rep 566
Posts
Drives: G05 30d M-Sport
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Berkshire, Powys
|
Glad I ordered the manual one :-)
Seriously, I had a gearbox failure on my old Scenic. It has an automatic handbrake that sets itself when the engine is stopped, and releases itself when the car drives away. With no gears, I couldn't 'drive' away and couldn't push the car out of the busy roudabout it was 'parked' in... doh. I was very very popular for a while, over there... Kinda makes you wonder about all these electronic gizmos!
__________________
Received 190911: X5 30d M-Sport:Artic Grey:Comfort Pack:Tech Pack:Visibility Pack: Driver Assist Pro Pack:Heat Pack:Glass Roof:Leather Dash
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-25-2012, 10:05 PM | #28 |
First Lieutenant
10
Rep 321
Posts |
This thread is mind boggling.
__________________
2013 x35i (Space Gray, MSport, CW/CWII, DHP, Premium, Premium Sound, Technology, BMW-Apps)
Retired: '09 C300 4Matic, '09 GTI, '06 750i, '05 C55, '04 R32, '03 M5, '02 GTI, '01 M5, '00 M-Coupe, '00 540i/6, '99 M3 Coupe, '98 M3 Coupe, '96 328i,... '86 4000 CS Quattro... too many to list. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2013, 01:57 PM | #29 |
New Member
3
Rep 14
Posts |
So I googled F25 technical training document and did find the procedure discussed here, but with more details. I just copy what I saw. It is on public domain.
*The electronic transmission emergency release can only be used if the engine does not start but the starter still cranks. *Before operating the electronic transmission emergency release, secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling *Depress and hold the brake pedal throughout the entire process *Press the start/stop button - the starter motor will crank for a specific amount of time 1. Press the shifter release button and hold it pressed 2. Move gear selector forwards one step(not all the way) and hold it there for two seconds (no more, no less) 3. Release the gear selector switch and move forwards again briefly one step (not all the way) When the transmission position "N" is displayed in the instrument panel (KOMBI) - the transmission is unlocked electronically. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-12-2013, 04:52 PM | #30 | |
First Lieutenant
10
Rep 321
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2013 x35i (Space Gray, MSport, CW/CWII, DHP, Premium, Premium Sound, Technology, BMW-Apps)
Retired: '09 C300 4Matic, '09 GTI, '06 750i, '05 C55, '04 R32, '03 M5, '02 GTI, '01 M5, '00 M-Coupe, '00 540i/6, '99 M3 Coupe, '98 M3 Coupe, '96 328i,... '86 4000 CS Quattro... too many to list. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-12-2013, 10:05 PM | #32 |
First Lieutenant
10
Rep 321
Posts |
Correct. I tried it today and could not get it to work.
__________________
2013 x35i (Space Gray, MSport, CW/CWII, DHP, Premium, Premium Sound, Technology, BMW-Apps)
Retired: '09 C300 4Matic, '09 GTI, '06 750i, '05 C55, '04 R32, '03 M5, '02 GTI, '01 M5, '00 M-Coupe, '00 540i/6, '99 M3 Coupe, '98 M3 Coupe, '96 328i,... '86 4000 CS Quattro... too many to list. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-13-2013, 10:04 AM | #33 |
New Member
3
Rep 14
Posts |
You need to depress and hold the brake pedal throughout the entire process.
After push the start/stop, wait until the starter motor cranks for a specific amount of time (it will stop eventually if car can't start) So, there is no way for you to try the procedure unless your engine can't start. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-13-2013, 10:55 AM | #34 |
Private First Class
17
Rep 103
Posts |
I just press the clutch and move the gear lever in to neutral.
I'll get my coat......
__________________
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and 2019 BMW X3M Competition
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-13-2013, 11:39 AM | #35 |
Nuclear Chief of the Watch
120
Rep 637
Posts |
Yes thats what I did too, but Im assuming this is the procedure for when your engine wont start but start will turn over?
__________________
BMW i3 (BEV) 2014. . Capparis White. . Park Assist, Comfort Access, Enhanced USB
BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE 2017. . . . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . Electric Seats Canon 70D 500mm, 85mm, 40mm, 24mm Sony QX10 & GoPro Hero 3 |
Appreciate
0
|
02-13-2013, 01:11 PM | #36 | |
First Lieutenant
10
Rep 321
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2013 x35i (Space Gray, MSport, CW/CWII, DHP, Premium, Premium Sound, Technology, BMW-Apps)
Retired: '09 C300 4Matic, '09 GTI, '06 750i, '05 C55, '04 R32, '03 M5, '02 GTI, '01 M5, '00 M-Coupe, '00 540i/6, '99 M3 Coupe, '98 M3 Coupe, '96 328i,... '86 4000 CS Quattro... too many to list. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-13-2013, 10:50 PM | #38 |
First Lieutenant
10
Rep 321
Posts |
Found attached doc (02_F25 Powertrain.pdf). mmc99 is correct about needing to keep brake pedal depressed and not being able to test the procedure unless the vehicle won't start. This is only if you have power and is referred to as the "electronic" release procedure.
Otherwise, if no power, the "mechanical" release procedure (removing panel underneath vehicle and turning screw) must be used. I can only hope the people doing the towing understand it and are willing to do it, if necessary.
__________________
2013 x35i (Space Gray, MSport, CW/CWII, DHP, Premium, Premium Sound, Technology, BMW-Apps)
Retired: '09 C300 4Matic, '09 GTI, '06 750i, '05 C55, '04 R32, '03 M5, '02 GTI, '01 M5, '00 M-Coupe, '00 540i/6, '99 M3 Coupe, '98 M3 Coupe, '96 328i,... '86 4000 CS Quattro... too many to list. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-13-2013, 11:02 PM | #39 |
Captain
63
Rep 983
Posts |
If it's not a given that the people doing BMW Roadside Assistance don't have a clue about the GA8HP transmission and how to force it into Neutral then it should be.
So, how much damage, if any, is going to be done by winching my non-startable X3 onto a flatbed, and then dropping it off at my dealer? In my early days of X3 pre-ownership I was concerned about this. Now that I'm 18 months in, and a bit less protective of my X3 baby, I'm wondering if I should be concerned at all. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-14-2013, 05:33 AM | #40 | |
First Lieutenant
10
Rep 321
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2013 x35i (Space Gray, MSport, CW/CWII, DHP, Premium, Premium Sound, Technology, BMW-Apps)
Retired: '09 C300 4Matic, '09 GTI, '06 750i, '05 C55, '04 R32, '03 M5, '02 GTI, '01 M5, '00 M-Coupe, '00 540i/6, '99 M3 Coupe, '98 M3 Coupe, '96 328i,... '86 4000 CS Quattro... too many to list. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-14-2013, 07:49 AM | #41 |
Private First Class
5
Rep 110
Posts |
Maybe it would be easier for a non qualified person to disconnect the propshaft to the rear differential. This would presumably allow safe transportation on to a recovery vehicle or maybe even towing?
__________________
MY 2013 X3 M Sport 2.0D Auto, Media Package, Xenons Deep Sea Blue with 19" Alloys.
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-14-2013, 08:22 AM | #42 | |
Colonel
99
Rep 2,323
Posts |
Quote:
I like new technology as much as the next guy, but this electronic shifter offer no advantage over the old technology. I know of a few owner who have file complaints about this problem to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Maybe if enough of us file complaints, BMW might do something about it. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-14-2013, 12:44 PM | #43 | |
Banned
870
Rep 6,248
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|