gear lever seizing in neutral

[bossdrums]

My wife’s 2004 54 plate, facelift model I believe, mini cooper has suddenly developed a problem with the gear lever. It selects gears fine however when it’s pulled back into the neutral position its stiff, as if it’s seized. This means that it no longer centres either, so when changing from 2nd to 3rd you have to pull it towards you and then move up into third…..not good.

Anyone with any advice on how the gear lever works or if anyone has had this happen to their car and knows how to fix it.

All responses gratefully received.

[oldmots]

I don't know a lot about the linkage, except that it is a cable. Its very possible that the problem is in the cable or shift lever housing and not in the tranny. Get the Haynes manual and start going through it. The lever disengages when pulled upwards, this may have happened partially.

[johnfromaus]

do you have a/c? check theres nothing obstructing the shift lever on the gearbox. i had this problem, but on the early model gearbox... you may have the new-type box

[bossdrums]

Thanks for the advice, I've had quick look underneath and can't see anything getting caught…

Any other thoughts welcome..

[bossdrums]

Well we ended up taking it to the Local BMW garage to let them diagnose the problem.

It turned out to be a selector switch that sits on top of the gearbox. After haggling over the price to fix it they managed to get BMW to pay for the part, we only paid for the labour costs....well it's only just out of warranty ...

[jason74]

Glad you got it sorted, Hopefully some of those tips I pm`d helped in finding the fault. Luckily the easier fix sorted it.

[mikj1977]

My 54 plate MC has just developed the exact same thing out of no where! Is it expensive?

[mikj1977]

Got a quote today a massive £230 to get it fixed. Think I will just build up the muscle in my left arm a bit so I can change gear more easly! Anyone know if the seized selector can be freed?

[myredminicooper]

The exact same thing has happened to me on my Nov 2004 (Getrag) gearbox. neutral stiff as hell. I rang BMW but they want £88 just to tell me what I already know. Think I'll check out my local independent garage with the above information... Thanks for providing that! Was just about to replace the gearbox oil, which I'll probably do anyway, can't hurt I guess.

[mikj1977]

Sounds very similar. Try a Mini specialist, but the part itself is expensive anyway as I seem to recall. Word of warning, don't leave it too long if it is the selector. After a month of slamming it into gear the gear linkage broke. RAC got me to the nearest Mini dealer and I forked out over 300 quid! My own fault though! Best of luck.

[Biker Dave]

hi mikj1977

did you replace the gear selector at the same time. I appear to have the same problem with my Nov 2004 MINI ONE. Lifted the airbox today and looked at the selector, cleaned and lubed which seemed to give a little spring back into the lever from 5th back to mid point but not much from 1st to mid point. Not sure if the selector fails inside and with only 3 bolts holding doesn't look too bad to replace, unless anyone out there knows different

Is it this selector that gives the spring across the gate? Also do you know the price, its tempting to change mine as the cost is going to be more or less the same my dealer is going to charge just to tell me what I already know, not knocking my dealer at all, all dealers do the same.

Cheers
Dave

[Silverado]

Dave

How long did it take you to remove the airbox and was it a difficult job ?

I have a 2003 ONE and am planning to clean and lube the selector linkages etc. in the next few days.

Any tips ?

[Biker Dave]

Hi silverado

It only takes about 10 mins. There is the fixing bolt on the rhs front as you look at the airbox from the front of the car and you need to remove the clip (be careful, its not a jubilee type clip) holding the air pipe. You can then remove the airbox cover, 2 screws and filter, this makes seeing the removal of the air intake pipe in the airbox easier but you don't have to do this. There is a harness clip attached on the rhs of the air box on the top and then you pull upwards. The airbox has a locating block underneath at the back, there is no need to undo this bolt as it simply holds the stud to the correct position. Look down and there it is!
Mine had no visible signs of corrosion and the lube has helped but not fully resolved my issue. It would be nice to hear from someone who has had one out to see if corrosion occurs whrere the eye cant see?

Good luck

[Silverado]

Thanks for that. I've changed the air filter a couple of times. It doesn't sound too complicated.

My problem is getting the car in reverse. It usually takes a little while and putting in first then reverse. I'll try WD40 and then grease.

If that doesn't help I think that I'll change the gearbox oil.

Thanks again

[Cooper2005]

My mini cooper has just had this fault literally over night neutral is pretty stiff but it goes in to gear and comes out as it normally would i have a cooper 2005 1.6 just ticked over 65000 miles any one suggest anything? my local garage explained to me the gear linkages may just need greasing could this be the case? ive read other threads but it doesnt really relate to me thanks in advance look forward to any views... Saf