[what_a_bimmer]

Do you really need witchcraft to do this?

Or be related to Evel knievel to perform the mechanical procedure using allen key from under the chassis whilst stuck on a dual carriageway perhaps.

I get requiring power to be able to do this i.e. if the battery is flat, you are stuck until you provide power through another car or a battery pack. The fact that the engine needs to be running to select neutral smacks of sheer lunacy.

What if the type of fault doesn't allow the engine to be started i.e starter motor or broken belts etc? You can't even push the car out of harms way until a flatbed arrives with 2 dollys? (xdrive)

Or am I barking up the wrong tree and there is a simple solution.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by what_a_bimmer

Do you really need witchcraft to do this?

Or be related to Evel knievel to perform the mechanical procedure using allen key from under the chassis whilst stuck on a dual carriageway perhaps.

I get requiring power to be able to do this i.e. if the battery is flat, you are stuck until you provide power through another car or a battery pack. The fact that the engine needs to be running to select neutral smacks of sheer lunacy.

What if the type of fault doesn't allow the engine to be started i.e starter motor or broken belts etc? You can't even push the car out of harms way until a flatbed arrives with 2 dollys? (xdrive)

Or am I barking up the wrong tree and there is a simple solution.

I've never understood this move to the lever with screw thread under the car. BMW used to have a link to inside the car, like under the cup holders in some models. Never did understand why they did away with it. Dead car and you can't move it, unless someone gets underneath, or puts the car on skids.

Can't even get on a recovery truck without lifting the wheels, or the disengagement procedure under the transmission.

[what_a_bimmer]

And how many recovery people will know about this and its location.

I have tried some of the methods suggested on forums (from inside the cabin) but to no avail.

My previous car had to be towed onto a truck many a time, faults ranging from starter motor, glow plugs, broken belts etc but that was a manual.

[Stainy]

I wonder if the likes of an XHP gearbox flash would change this? Could be a good marketing point - though if it was anything other than engine powered mechanics required, I can't understand why BMW wouldn't have already used that option instead of this farce.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Stainy

I wonder if the likes of an XHP gearbox flash would change this? Could be a good marketing point - though if it was anything other than engine powered mechanics required, I can't understand why BMW wouldn't have already used that option instead of this farce.

Can't see any software changes helping a dead/locked gearbox. (Not anything to do with the transfer box clutches), It's a mechanical action to release the parking lock function, which is the default action with engine off.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by what_a_bimmer

I have tried some of the methods suggested on forums (from inside the cabin) but to no avail.

Internal procedure to select neutral only works if engine cranks, but won't start. It involves cranking the engine, then the specific shifter sequence.

[Stainy]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Can't see any software changes helping a dead/locked gearbox. (Not anything to do with the transfer box clutches), It's a mechanical action to release the parking lock function, which is the default action with engine off.

Yeah, that was my point - is the action mechanical requiring engine running or is it electrical as the OP suggests. The car can certainly go from Neutral to Park with engine off. It seems a massive oversight that it can't go the other way. Though I'll take your word that it can't, I was just pondering the question

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Stainy

Yeah, that was my point - is the action mechanical requiring engine running or is it electrical as the OP suggests. The car can certainly go from Neutral to Park with engine off. It seems a massive oversight that it can't go the other way. Though I'll take your word that it can't, I was just pondering the question

I grasp your point, would make it easy if there was a simple, in car, release operation, with a dead engine.

My understanding, although actuated electrically, (solenoid, lock magnets, etc.), there's a complex set of safety interactions within EGS (electronic transmission control). Once engaged the lock itself is held in position by spring force. It is released hydraulically. It seems that this is where the limitation may be, and why if the engine is not running it must be cranked to get Neutral, from the shifter procedure. I'm reading that if hydraulic pressure is not available, (the cranking action) then the mechanical release is the only alternative.

What I don't understand, is why BMW have decided to remove the link to inside the car, (used to exist in some models) where a 'mechanical' release was possible.

[bishbosh]

There is some fascinating info here about the ZF8HP boxes: https://atracom.blob.core.windows.ne...troduction.pdf

About halfway down there is in-depth detail on how the parking pawl works.