Warm shifter

[chicane]

I have an e36 M3. I noticed today that after driving a little while the bottom of my shift knob was a little warm. I lay the top of my hand on the shift boot and it was also warm. When I pulled up shift boot and put my hand on the shifter itself it was fairly warm. Has anyone else had this occur with them and is it normal?

[mcoupemindy]

It's completely normal. The shifter is a complete metal linkage to the transmission. When the transmission gets hot, it will transfer heat into the shift linkage, the selector arm, and ultimately the shifter itself.

[1996 328ti]

It's completely normal. The shifter is a complete metal linkage to the transmission. When the transmission gets hot, it will transfer heat into the shift linkage, the selector arm, and ultimately the shifter itself.

I don't remember mine getting that hot before.
I've just noticed it over the past couple months on mine.

[Munchenman2]

If you are noticing more heat than normal, best check your transmission oil. The less oil you have in the tranny, the hotter the bits will get!

Cheers,
Alan

[chicane]

Can someone who has an infrared thermometer test the temps of the shifter after a good city/highway drive? I did mine and I got temps between 125-135 degrees and that is too high. Thanks.

[glindsay]

You may want to check under the cosmetic boot to verify your rubber boot is contiguous.

see http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...13&hg=25&fg=05

[mcoupemindy]

You may want to check under the cosmetic boot to verify your rubber boot is contiguous.

see http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...13&hg=25&fg=05

A rubber boot around a conductor will not change the surface temperature of the conductor.

[glindsay]

A rubber boot around a conductor will not change the surface temperature of the conductor.

We experienced a hot shifter on our E28 and the cause was a tear in the rubber boot which allowed hot air to flow into the void under the leather boot. Once replaced, the shifter temperature returned to normal.

[mcoupemindy]

We experienced a hot shifter on our E28 and the cause was a tear in the rubber boot which allowed hot air to flow into the void under the leather boot. Once replaced, the shifter temperature returned to normal.

I stand corrected even though the amount of heat transfer from ambient air is very minimal.

[chicane]

Turns out the tranny fluid was a little low. Topped her off and she has normal temps. Thanks for the advice.