What centers the shifter on an E46 with a 5 speed? I haven't taken anything apart to look at it, but while my shifter normally centers around the middle of the range like it's supposed to, about 40% of the time it springs all the way to the right. This makes shifting a little bit of an unknown, since sometimes the resistance is different than other times. Anyone have any insight into this?
There is lots of documentation on Bimmerforums and E46Fanatics of this issue. It is a design problem with the ZF 5-speed trans that dates back to the E36 M3 (same trans, same problem). The internal mechanism that returns the stick to center is splash lubed by the gear oil, and in cold weather they like to bind up. Some say different gear oils can help, and there are a few fixes if you feel like tearing the trans apart, but most people just wait to shift into 5th until the transmission has been warmed up a bit. My 330ci only did it in cold weather and only while the gear oil was still warming up so I just stayed out of 5th for the first few miles down the road.
Yup, what Slick said. My e36 M3 did it occasionally. My mother's e46 325xit did it often, and switching to redline in the trans helped. The actual fix is easy, once the transmission is out of the car. We had the clutch go after 160k, so took that opportunity to put in the replacement pins and sleeves and whatnot to make sure it doesn't happen again.
I'm not sure you are talking about the same problem I am. I have no problem shifting into 5th, and the problem I do have doesn't seem to be temperature dependent. What I'm referring to is where the shifter positions itself when in neutral. Sometimes it springs to the center and sometimes it springs all the way over to the right. Is that what you are talking about?
Sonic and Slick are both referring to the common ZF detent problem. The 5th gear detent will stick in the bore which lets the shifter flop all the way right as you're describing. BMW sells the detents and liners to fix the problem. Here's instructions on the repair: http://webspace.ringling.edu/~dplassma/bmw_diy/shift_pins/shift_pins.html
The worst part of the job is pulling the old 5th and reverse detent liners, it's tricky to do without scratching the trans case.
Okay, thanks. What happens if you don't fix it? Does it get any worse or cause any other problems? I would like to wait until I have to do the clutch if possible.
No risk of further damage, just annoyance. If you have not changed the fluid yet that's always worth a shot.
My e36 M3 did this. 2 things helped:
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