Gear box just died at a petrol station

[Ed.M]

Guys,

My car ha just given up on me...(perhaps it knew I spent the morning shopping for it's replacement )

The gear selector has gone floppy and doesn't clunk into an position. As such I can't select P to even start the engine let alone leave the petrol station.

Is this something I can remedy? Or is it a bit more terminal.

The car is a 2001 E46 330 sport auto.

Ideas/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Ed

[PJR]

I'd be surprised if it was anything more serious than a minor linkage issue?

P,

[Ed.M]

Is that something I can check from inside by pulling the gaitor off or is it needed up on a ramp to look underneath?

[< FORZA WEST]

check the cable at the gearbox end, its held by a 13mm nut which has been known to loosen off.

[Ed.M]

Thanks

I'll have a look in daylight tomorrow.

If I put it up on jacks will I be able to see the back of the gear box or is their a "shield" in the way?

Next off. Trying to find a picture showing the layout of the bottom of a BMW engine.....

Ed

[Nigel Worc's]

If it does turn out to be an actual gearbox problem, and you aren't under warranty, let me know.

I've just been through a knackered gearbox issue on my mates E38 735i, and I actually have genuine contacts within ZF GB.

[Ed.M]

Thanks for the offer Nigel.

If I can't spot anything obviously wrong It'll be off to my local indy for a look.

Does your contact work on the fitting side of ZF or the selling of parts?

[Nigel Worc's]

My contact(s) are actually in the factory in Nottingham where they re-manufacture the boxes.

[fluffnik]

Nigel Worc's said:

My contact(s) are actually in the factory in Nottingham where they re-manufacture the boxes.

Oooh!

Do they offer the same superb value refurb that's available if you drive to Dortmund?

[Nigel Worc's]

I did offer the good people of PH a factory tour, but nobody took me up.

The setup at Nottingham is a little different, they just re-do the gearboxes, racks pumps etc, they don't fit them.

They do all the different types, from ships, through tanks, lorries, buses, right down to cars.

BMW GB wont allow its dealers to use ZF Nottingham, the boxes have to go to Germany, then to Nottingham, then back to Germany !

Nottingham will however deal directly with you, me, us, etc

The advantage is you get a truly re-manufactured box (they may have one in stock), rather than a repaired one.

Cost isn't as bad as I'd thought, my mates 735i was quoted at £5,000 from the local main stealer, a box from Nottingham was about £1,500, I can't remember how much he paid to have it swapped over, but it wasn't much.

My contact with Nottingham is I do some of the Electronic maintenance on some of their machinery.

[Ed.M]

After having a look underneath there is nothing hanging loose. Nothing moves either though when the gear shift is moved. It is now enroute to a gearbox specialist round the corner to see if it is, as I hope just a snapped cable or linkage.

[dxb335d]

How did you get it back from the petrol station?

[fluffnik]

Nigel Worc's said:

I did offer the good people of PH a factory tour, but nobody took me up.

Bit far away or I'd have loved to have gone.

Nigel Worc's said:

The setup at Nottingham is a little different, they just re-do the gearboxes, racks pumps etc, they don't fit them.

I was hoping they'd do the valve body refurb/update service with the 'box in situ as offered in Dortmund.

...all for €354 at last May's prices.

[Nigel Worc's]

fluffnik said:

Nigel Worc's said:

I did offer the good people of PH a factory tour, but nobody took me up.

Bit far away or I'd have loved to have gone.

Nigel Worc's said:

The setup at Nottingham is a little different, they just re-do the gearboxes, racks pumps etc, they don't fit them.

I was hoping they'd do the valve body refurb/update service with the 'box in situ as offered in Dortmund.

...all for €354 at last May's prices.

Not that I'm aware of, I'll dig out the details again, and anyone interested can ask them.

Edited by Nigel Worc's on Monday 9th March 18:14

[Ed.M]

Carlos

It was moved out of the way of the pumps by some friendly locals. My bank account (HSBC) has a free recovery section so the moved it out of harms way yesterday and then returned today to take to the workshop.

Oddly they are they same company as contracted locally to BMW assistance.

It was a linkage, so I'll find out the damage tomorrow.

Ed

[Nigel Worc's]

Here you go guys, good luck, if I can be of any help just ask :





RE: Details on the internetMonday, 19 January, 2009 8:56 AM

Thank you very much for putting our details on the web, and I hope you found the facilities at Nottingham impressive and informative.
IF you'd like to visit the Factory again, perhaps with other BMW owners/club members, then please contact me and we could arrange a tour with a limited number of people at a time.

Also, my direct line is 0115 9355 479, and my details are shown below.

Mit Freundlichen Grüßen / Regards
Tom Anderson
Technical Sales Engineer

ZF Great Britain Ltd
Abbeyfield Road, Lenton, Nottingham, NG7 2SX
Tel: [phone], Direct: 0115 935 5479
Mobile: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.zf-group.co.uk

[fluffnik]

[quote=Nigel Worc's]Here you go guys, good luck, if I can be of any help just ask :

Thanks!

[dxb335d]

Ed.M said:

Carlos

It was moved out of the way of the pumps by some friendly locals. My bank account (HSBC) has a free recovery section so the moved it out of harms way yesterday and then returned today to take to the workshop.

Oddly they are they same company as contracted locally to BMW assistance.

It was a linkage, so I'll find out the damage tomorrow.

Ed

Hope it gets sorted soon ED.

[Ed.M]

All sorted...

One new gear selector unit and £450 later

But at least it keeps the car on the road whilst I continue looking for a newer one. E92 330i for sale anyone ?

Ed