[V3N0MIZED]

Hey all,

I've encountered a huge issue. We swapped the gear knob from the original OEM knob to the 'Crystal' look knob which we ordered from China. Unfortunately, we were not aware that we had to unplug the batteries before we proceeded with the swap. After the swap was done, I tried to start the car and drive in R/D but the car wouldn't switch from P to R/D.. after doing some searching online I came to the conclusion that I completely wrecked something and it needs to be replaced..

I'm afraid this small mod will cost me several thousands of dollars. All because we didn't look at the manual (which emphasizes that the battery needs to be unattached..) before we started.

My question now is, does anyone know what exactly is the issue now and what part needs changing? Can I simply buy a new shifter/gear knob and install it properly as per manual and it'll be fixed?

I saw a post stating that he got quoted several thousands of $ by BMW.

[helmet91]

Why not disconnect the battery now and assure that the ribbon plug was attached properly? Then button everything back up and see what happens? Maybe clear the codes with your app/interface of choice?

[Portimao Blue M440ix]

Good advice above. Recheck your connections and hopefully that does it.

[tylers1027]

I wouldn't think you would do any damage just by not unplugging the battery. Once about a year ago I went to switch into drive and my car was stuck in "P". I turned off the car, let the ECU go to sleep and then restarted the car and it worked fine after. No problems since then.

[AZHusky]

If you do not disconnect both batteries when attempting to remove the shift knob on a BMW G series vehicle, it will short out gear selector. This will cause a P button failure and the vehicle will not be able to be put into any gear. Instead of purchasing a new gear selector and having it coded to your vehicle, Infinite Autowerks has the ability to repair the gear selector.

I haven’t done this but may wanna check out infinite autowerks. They have a solution.

https://infiniteautowerks.com/shop/r...r-malfunction/

[V3N0MIZED]

Originally Posted by tylers1027

I wouldn't think you would do any damage just by not unplugging the battery. Once about a year ago I went to switch into drive and my car was stuck in "P". I turned off the car, let the ECU go to sleep and then restarted the car and it worked fine after. No problems since then.

In the manual it does say very specifically that the batteries both in the frunk and trunk should be unplugged. Otherwise you can risk bricking the gear console unit or worse.. I've read the error logs and tried clearing them, but they return after clearing them..

I probably have to replace the Shifter mid console Unit. So my VIN number shows I need the following part: 61315A7DFE4. But it's priced at around 1100eu if I want to buy it online or at the dealer.

61315A5C456 is a similar product for my car but priced 360eu.. however my vin number shows I need the one of 1100eu.

Does anyone have more knowledge/experience with this? I do have two year BMW Premium Selection but I'm unsure whether this is included in the prem selection. I bought the car in Germany and the car is kinda bricked and parked at a BMW dealer in The Netherlands (where I live) and they don't want to help me with the prem selection warranty.

They only want to perform work if I pay up, as a first step for the diagnosis. After the diagnosis they can contact my insurance/warranty provider in Germany and then we'll either get a 'approved' or 'not approved' stamp from the insurance in Germany, if it's not approved I will have to pay for the diagnosis and if it's approved (that they will cover the expenses), they will re-imburse me..

Very tough situation, how to proceed from here..?

[V3N0MIZED]

Originally Posted by AZHusky

If you do not disconnect both batteries when attempting to remove the shift knob on a BMW G series vehicle, it will short out gear selector. This will cause a P button failure and the vehicle will not be able to be put into any gear. Instead of purchasing a new gear selector and having it coded to your vehicle, Infinite Autowerks has the ability to repair the gear selector.

I haven’t done this but may wanna check out infinite autowerks. They have a solution.

https://infiniteautowerks.com/shop/r...r-malfunction/

I do live in The Netherlands. I will contact them and ask what it exactly is they're doing (I'll also ask if I can ship from NL) and under which circumstance it'll solve my issue. They have a picture of the fault code and my error code is different.. I will upload it here shortly

[Yoram57]

Too bad this happened.

If it was a short circuit, you could also replace the complete shifter unit with a second hand one. Most of them go for under 200 euro. If you make sure the button layout of the replacement unit is the same as you have now, it most likely is compatible. I got one shipped to the Netherlands from Poland (Alpincars) within 5 days and it works fine.

[V3N0MIZED]

Originally Posted by Yoram57

Too bad this happened.

If it was a short circuit, you could also replace the complete shifter unit with a second hand one. Most of them go for under 200 euro. If you make sure the button layout of the replacement unit is the same as you have now, it most likely is compatible. I got one shipped to the Netherlands from Poland (Alpincars) within 5 days and it works fine.

Hey Yoram. Thank you for thinking with me, and that's good to hear and re-assuring! I've found a couple second hand/used. Do you know if the part number of the product has to be identical? Or could a 330i gear unit be installed on the 330e?

Also - do you know if, if the unit is compatible (but with a different product code) - the buttons could also be replaced from my unit to the newly installed unit?

[Yoram57]

I don’t think the part numbers have to match. I drive a 2020 330e (pre lci) and retrofitted a unit from a hybrid X5 (with the smaller lci gear switch).

A 330i unit will probably work for shifting but I did not test and have not seen it done on the internet. You will most likely lose the battery hold function and maybe some other functionality (electric, hybrid), as I found that only buttons that exactly match the old buttons work. I had the adaptive button and the X5 variant has a different function on that location and the button simply does noting.

From my research I believe the buttons can not be swapped as they are integral part of the unit and can’t be separated.

[meharris]

I did the same thing. Any update on this.? How did you fix this?

[V3N0MIZED]

Originally Posted by meharris

I did the same thing. Any update on this.? How did you fix this?

I've sent you a PM. Long story short, if the gear shifter unit does get bricked, you will either have to get it replaced (preferably by a BMW Dealership) or you have to send the entire gear shifter unit to a company that can fix it.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to share a link to their services here, but infiniteautowerks does claim to have a solution to our issue: https://infiniteautowerks.com/shop/r...r-malfunction/

I did choose to have the entire gear shifter unit replaced by a BMW dealership to avoid further issues.