Question about 6MT reverse lockout mechanism

JCtx · 07-29-2010, 10:23 AM

About half the times I try to engage reverse the first time (especially when cold), can't get past the lockout mechanism, meaning can't swing the lever to the left. If it was reverse gear itself (like sometimes happens with first), I wouldn't be able to go up once lever is to the left of first. I simply can't get anywhere past the first gear 'H' shaft. I'd bend something if I try any harder. It's also a lot harder to swing the lever (once it cooperates) than it should be IMO, but there's nothing I can do about that. Anyway, after moving lever up and down additional times (twice or three times, since I always do it once on ALL 6MT cars), R goes in, so not a big deal, but just want to know if it's 'normal', meaning most other 6MT M3s behave like that.

Does anybody know how the lockout solenoid works? It seems to be normally open, since I remember being able to engage R with engine off, but that doesn't really matter. My bet is the solenoid only opens with clutch fully depressed (and car not moving, of course), and could possibly have a delayed action or something. If somebody can shed some light on the issue, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Finally, has anybody removed the solenoid from the tranny? Don't know where it is but I can find it next time I change the clutch fluid. Want to remove it to test it outside the car, but need to know if I have to buy any gaskets or anything. Remember seeing a plastic part that resembled a solenoid (maybe that's the one), but was buried on top of tranny. The cooler pump also was plastic, if I remember correctly. If solenoid is normally open, I might disconnect the sucker and see if the issue goes away. The R spring is so hard that I'd NEVER EVER engage R by accident, even if trying

. If that's the issue, I can just replace it. Thanks folks.

AMOCHOSTO · 07-29-2010, 10:57 AM

I have never had any trouble with getting my 6MT into the reverse part of the H pattern or fully into reverse, but one of the M3s I test drove before purchasing mine needed a ton of force to get into the reverse part of the H pattern. Maybe it's a difference between 08s and 09s though.

The other questions I have no idea, I'm not too mechanically inclined.

JCtx · 07-29-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMOCHOSTO

I have never had any trouble with getting my 6MT into the reverse part of the H pattern or fully into reverse, but one of the M3s I test drove before purchasing mine needed a ton of force to get into the reverse part of the H pattern. Maybe it's a difference between 08s and 09s though.

Thanks man. Maybe it's an '08 vs '09 thing too. Will play with it, like waiting a second after depressing clutch to try to engage it. Once the lockout allows me to move the lever to the R shaft (left of 1st), it goes up into R easy, without any crunching or grinding.

Hopefully some '08 owners can chime in so I know if I have to mess with it, or just leave it alone. Again, if it's the 'nature of the beast', I'd be fine with it. Just don't want to be unable to get into R one of these days if it's not normal on other cars. Take care.

Richbot · 07-29-2010, 01:31 PM

No issues with my '08. Just slap it to the left and go. It's no more or less force than I've needed with my other manual BMW's.

DadzM4 · 07-29-2010, 02:45 PM

no issues on mine either. Try going to first gear then reverse and see if that helps.

1sikbmr · 07-29-2010, 03:24 PM

are you rolling a bit when trying to put it in gear? I have that problem with the gear but only if i am moving a bit. But I hardly ever get that though.

JCtx · 07-29-2010, 05:36 PM

Thanks for all the replies. As I said, I always row the lever to first and second before engaging reverse; might not be necessary, but has always helped. I also always engage R when not moving. And when this happens is with engine/tranny cold, trying to reverse out of my garage.

Will try to be more deliberate ('slap' it

) with the movement to the left, rather than applying gradual pressure, and see if that helps.

Hey, still want to know when the solenoid is energized, so if any of you have access to the electrical schematics, please check it out and let me know

.

07-29-2010, 10:23 AM	#1
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Question about 6MT reverse lockout mechanism About half the times I try to engage reverse the first time (especially when cold), can't get past the lockout mechanism, meaning can't swing the lever to the left. If it was reverse gear itself (like sometimes happens with first), I wouldn't be able to go up once lever is to the left of first. I simply can't get anywhere past the first gear 'H' shaft. I'd bend something if I try any harder. It's also a lot harder to swing the lever (once it cooperates) than it should be IMO, but there's nothing I can do about that. Anyway, after moving lever up and down additional times (twice or three times, since I always do it once on ALL 6MT cars), R goes in, so not a big deal, but just want to know if it's 'normal', meaning most other 6MT M3s behave like that. Does anybody know how the lockout solenoid works? It seems to be normally open, since I remember being able to engage R with engine off, but that doesn't really matter. My bet is the solenoid only opens with clutch fully depressed (and car not moving, of course), and could possibly have a delayed action or something. If somebody can shed some light on the issue, it'd be greatly appreciated. Finally, has anybody removed the solenoid from the tranny? Don't know where it is but I can find it next time I change the clutch fluid. Want to remove it to test it outside the car, but need to know if I have to buy any gaskets or anything. Remember seeing a plastic part that resembled a solenoid (maybe that's the one), but was buried on top of tranny. The cooler pump also was plastic, if I remember correctly. If solenoid is normally open, I might disconnect the sucker and see if the issue goes away. The R spring is so hard that I'd NEVER EVER engage R by accident, even if trying . If that's the issue, I can just replace it. Thanks folks. Last edited by JCtx; 07-29-2010 at 10:28 AM..
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07-29-2010, 10:57 AM	#2
AMOCHOSTO Major 32 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: IB BB E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto. iTrader: (0)	I have never had any trouble with getting my 6MT into the reverse part of the H pattern or fully into reverse, but one of the M3s I test drove before purchasing mine needed a ton of force to get into the reverse part of the H pattern. Maybe it's a difference between 08s and 09s though. The other questions I have no idea, I'm not too mechanically inclined. __________________ E90 Interlagos Blue, (Winter Beater) Bamboo Beige, M-Drive, EDC, PDC, USB 6MT. Mods to date; Curb rash, Scraped front spoiler, Installed RAC Monolite RG63 Silver 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (ROW)
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07-29-2010, 01:31 PM	#4
Richbot Major General 2760 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	No issues with my '08. Just slap it to the left and go. It's no more or less force than I've needed with my other manual BMW's. __________________
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07-29-2010, 02:45 PM	#5
DadzM4 Lieutenant 17 Rep 518 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (2)	no issues on mine either. Try going to first gear then reverse and see if that helps. __________________ AW M4 \| Black Full Merino Leather \| Driver Assistance Package \| Lighting Package \| HK Sound \| Concierge Services \| Enhanced BT \| 6 MT
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07-29-2010, 03:24 PM	#6
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	are you rolling a bit when trying to put it in gear? I have that problem with the gear but only if i am moving a bit. But I hardly ever get that though. __________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
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07-29-2010, 05:36 PM	#7
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the replies. As I said, I always row the lever to first and second before engaging reverse; might not be necessary, but has always helped. I also always engage R when not moving. And when this happens is with engine/tranny cold, trying to reverse out of my garage. Will try to be more deliberate ('slap' it ) with the movement to the left, rather than applying gradual pressure, and see if that helps. Hey, still want to know when the solenoid is energized, so if any of you have access to the electrical schematics, please check it out and let me know .
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