Drivers may occasionally encounter a problem in which their BMW fails to enter gear. People who are confronted with this issue, assuming that it does not occur frequently, instantly conclude that it is a transmission failure. However, there may be causes other than a faulty transmission system.

It is advised that you take your vehicle to a service center to have the problem diagnosed and fixed by professionals. They will help you determine whether it’s time to take your automobile to an auto repair center. Continue reading to learn why your car’s gear isn’t working properly and what has to be inspected and fixed.

The Usual Culprits

The following are some of the reasons why your car may not shift gears:

Transmission Fluid is Low

The most common reason your BMW won’t shift gear is that the transmission fluid level is lower than recommended. Even if you add transmission fluid regularly, the low fluid level could be caused by a leak. This leak needs to be checked and fixed immediately because transmission fluid is essential for keeping the car’s moving parts lubricated and running properly.

Bring your car to our reliable mechanics so that we can trace and fix the leak. Otherwise, you will have to refill the fluid every time, this temporary fix could result in more damage which can be costly to fix.

Shift Lock Release Malfunction

When your BMW is parked, the shift knob is locked until the driver pushes the brake and starts the engine. This eliminates unintentional gear shifting in the car when the driver is not there. However, in some situations, the shift lock becomes jammed and refuses to disengage properly, causing automatic vehicles to fail to switch gears. Most current vehicles with automatic transmissions feature a shift lock or shift release switch located near the shifter. It may be hidden beneath a little trim piece that must be removed with a small screwdriver or key. You can put the car in drive by inserting the key and releasing the lock.

In a Manual Transmission Vehicle: Clutch Master Cylinder Failure

Gear shift problems in a car are caused by leaking fluid in the master cylinder of the vehicle. A master cylinder is responsible for translating the motion of the clutch pedal into vehicle movement in all stick-shift vehicles. This occurs when the clutch pedal is released and the clutch is engaged. The master cylinder operates on hydraulic fluid; even a minor leakage of the fluid can make the clutch pedal cease working and the car not shift into gear.

In an Automatic Transmission: Bad Torque Converter

Many components in automatic gearboxes can fail and inhibit gear changing. A torque converter’s components, such as a pump, stator, and turbine, might fail, resulting in sliding as the gearbox shifts gears. As a result, it is critical to examine these pieces since they might prevent the transmission from moving at all. Regular transmission maintenance can also help in the resolution of small issues that hinder your vehicle from shifting gears efficiently.

Why does my car jerk when I shift gears in an automatic transmission?

Depending how low or dirty the transmission fluid is, an automatic vehicle may jerk while shifting gears. If your transmission fluid is low or unclean, or if you have sliding clutch packs, bands, or weak and damaged springs that cushion the clutch pack, shifting gears may cause a jerking motion. Furthermore, jerking of your BMW when shifting gears might be caused by an engine running rough, pointing to an ignition problem. As a result, a specialist equipped to detect and resolve these issues should be visited.

Jerking and stalling are two different stages of transmission problems. If your torque converter is faulty or damaged, your vehicle will not shift into gear and turn off as your shift gears. This occurs when the vehicle is unable to sustain the required power at low speeds or during idling, leading the engine to shut down.

Visit Tanner Motors Today

As a car owner, you must ensure that your car is ready to drive at all times. You should be observant of all the parts of your car before and when driving, especially the transmission system. If you notice any issues with your gears, we urge you to take your BMW to a trained technician so that they can assist you in ensuring that everything is in working order. Checking it yourself may be ineffective since you may not be aware of all that has to be put in place.

Tanner Motors will assist you with all of the maintenance required by your BMW. Our team of expert mechanics is standing by to assist you. Call us right now to speak with a factory-trained BMW expert at our cutting-edge service center in Phoenix, AZ.