98 M3 shifting problems

[frankc]

Since I purchased my car (98 M3) this past fall, the shifter has never worked quite right. At first I thought it was simply due to the bushings being worn out as I had to replace all of them on my E30. But now I'm beginning to wonder if there something more wrong.

Here are the symptoms:
Normally the shifter is spring-loaded to rest in the 3rd-4th plane. However, when shifting out of 2nd (to 3rd), the shifter will *sometimes* spring over and rest in the 5th plane. But it is not all the way to the right - I can still push it past the detent normally there to get into 5th, but if I push it straight up as if to go into 3rd, it will go into 5th. 3rd is very hard to find when it is in this mode. The difference between 3rd & 5th is only about 1/2 to 1" it seems. Other times it behaves normally. The same thing happens when shifting out of 4th (to 5th) sometimes. This is frustrating because in this case, I have to be very careful. Sometimes when I think I'm going into 5th, I'm actually catching 3rd.

Also, getting the shifter over into the reverse plane (past the detent) sometimes requires *alot* of effort, other times it is normal. Once over there, getting into reverse is no problem, it just takes more force than I would think is necessary to get the shifter over to the left (the first time I did this I thought I was going to break something I had to push so hard).

Since most of these forces and gates are controlled by the transmission itself and not the shifter mechanism, I'm beginning to wonder if my tranny needs some work.

any thoughts or has anyone ever experienced this?

thanks,
Frank

[Jeron]

The shifter problem I've read about was the 5th gear spring doesn't return properly when cold. I've been having this problem somewhat now that it has finally turned cold in TX.

Basically the 5th gear 'detent' spring sticks in a compressed position and the lever flops between the 3-4 and 5th gear gate. I read an internet article where someone had identified the return spring in the tranny but of course there is no fix without opening the transmission.

My problem goes away when the engine and tranny get warm.

The only thing I can think of to help would be changing the fluid and put in a good synthetic.

[frankc]

Jeron,

Yes, this describes my shifting problem exactly. I did a web search and found some detailed descriptions of the problem and what it takes to fix it. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one. I've identifed the spring culprit on the the parts CD.

Do you know if the 5th gear spring (part #4 if you look at the tranny parts page) is also the same spring for going into the reverse gate? I don't see a separate spring for reverse, and a problem with the 5th gear spring would make some sense as to why I'm having a (opposite) problem going into reverse as well. Do you notice an issue going into reverse?

btw, I moved to Ohio from Texas a month ago, and the cold has definitely made this problem worse. I may try changing the fluid and see if that helps.

thanks.

[Jeron]

From memory, I think there is another spring on the opposite side of the selector rod. Actually, I don't think that the ETK page is the same as the diagram I saw before. I found it listed by a person with same problem, somewhere on the web of course.

The problem is one or both of the following.
1) Spring fatigue, the spring is just getting weak
2) Dirt in the spring, the spring is sticking on built up sludge.

I think changing the fluid is a start. The problem with changing the fluid is I don't think the ATF will douse this area very often and properly clean and lubricate the spring.

I wonder if when I am changing my selector rod seal, can I inject some ATF into gap around the selector rod and try to coat the spring?

[frankc]

I'll take a look at the diagram again to see if there is another spring. I thought the M3 transmissions used a "lifetime" fluid and the 328's got the ATF? I thought I read that in the Bentley manual - I'll check later.

So I see your selector shaft seal is leaking like mine. I plan to replace this when I replace the flex-disc and shifter. Let me know if you discover anything that can be done while the seal is out that helps.

[Jeron]

I'm pretty sure the replacement fluid even for the "lifetime fluid" is ATF. I used Royal Purple but only because I have a cheap supply. I would have gone with any brand name synthetic. It changed the way the shifter feels. You can definately tell the synthetic fluid is thinner/slicker.

I plan to replace the shifter bushings and put in a short shifter during the seal replacement. My guibo is fine so I'll wait to replace it, maybe with the soon to be needed clutch.