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1988 320i auto wont go into reverse!!!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:35 pm
by hmuminovic
hi guys n girls,

i've got the e30 out again to try and sort it out!

a few months ago while driving the car, all of a sudden it wudnt shift into reverse!

when i do put it in reverse, it goes forward! also in park it would go forwqard as well!!!

today i have changed the transmition fluid, cleaned the filter and the sump!

still the same problem!!!

i am now going to change the diff oil as i'm at it, but i dont know what oil to use???? its a 1988 320i automatic 3 speed!!!

also, if you guys can think of anything else i can try? in the haynes manual it says to try and reset the selector lever??? could this be the cause!!!

i think wot caused it to mess up in the first place was last time wen i drove it, i was going in reverse n shifted it to drive and heard a big clunk!!!

any advice will be much appreciated!!!

Re: 1988 320i auto wont go into reverse!!!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:38 pm
by hmuminovic
sorry!!! one more thing!!!

the car is on axle stands right now! when in drive, only the right wheels spins! the left one doesnt spin!!! could this be the diff???

Re: 1988 320i auto wont go into reverse!!!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 6:25 pm
by lemmy99
sounds like the cable has stretched/broken

Re: 1988 320i auto wont go into reverse!!!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 9:25 pm
by hmuminovic
cable??? would that be the one on top of the engine where the throttle cable is?

i have noticed that it doesn't rev fully, only to about 2500rpm!!!

Re: 1988 320i auto wont go into reverse!!!

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:05 am
by Barx325i
handbrake cable, thus offering a little more resistance than the opposing side

Re: 1988 320i auto wont go into reverse!!!

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:15 am
by hmuminovic
yeah i figured out it was because i left the handbrake on!!! stupid i know!!!

but it still wont go into reverse or rev above 2500rpm!!! which im worried about!!!

Re: 1988 320i auto wont go into reverse!!!

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:18 am
by lemmy99
No i meant the rod (should have looked at the parts first)from the auto lever in the car to the box, have someone move the shifter and look at the rod under the car that pulls the leaver on the side of the box.

try item 23, is it adjusted correctly
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/4 ... c_gearbox/

item 18 looks like it has a threaded adjuster, you need to read the haynes manual to see how to set it correctly.

you also have this, which i believe may be the connection to the kick-down
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/4 ... king_lock/

diff oil
http://www.denhartogbv.com/cms/wp-conte ... 00-pds.pdf

or any quality 70w90 gear oil