BMW 5-Series E39 (1996 - 2003) - 523i Automatic - Gear stick stuck in Park.

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Sun 9 Dec 2007 13:22
523i Automatic - Gear stick stuck in Park. - bromine
Please help!

I took the dash clocks out to change the bulb yesterday and put it back, when I put it back, the car starts ok and all fine but the gearstick won't come out of park. I thought it was to do with the brake pedal sensor but when I press the brake pedal I can still hear a little clicking noise under the gear lever.

I think it's to do with the ignition - you cannot get out of park until the ignition is on, so maybe the gearbox is not sensing the ignition??

Is there a fuse I may blow when taking the dash clocks out that is to do with the gear lever lock? Or is there something else I can do??

I tried to disconnect the battery for a while but it remained the same...

Thanks...

Shouting amended in subject line

Edited by Pugugly {P} on 09/12/2007 at 13:31

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Sun 9 Dec 2007 13:45
523i Automatic - Gear stick stuck in Park. - mike hannon
Don't know what precisely an E39 is but if it isn't too old there may be a procedure - a la Honda - to unlock the transmission selector manually. With some Hondas you have to press a catch with the end of a screwdriver. Have a look in the manual - you may be lucky.
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Sun 9 Dec 2007 17:02
523i Automatic - Gear stick stuck in Park. - Aprilia
These are a complicated beastie. If the lever is physically locked in the P position then, AFAIK, only the interlock solenoid can be restricting it. There is no other restriction.

The ignition switch feeds this system via fuse no. 38, so check that. Also check fuses 1,4,14 and 24 - these all feed aspects of the transmission controller.
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Sun 9 Dec 2007 18:08
523i Automatic - Gear stick stuck in Park. - elekie&a/c doctor
Did you move the steering column adjustment when the dash pod was removed?
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Sun 9 Dec 2007 21:47
523i Automatic - Gear stick stuck in Park. - isisalar
Surely your local knowledgable friendly reasonable BMW dealership would be able to help?
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