Shifter Issue with 2008 535xi

[e31]

I am posting for a friend prior to towing his car to a shop or dealer:

for a friend who’s not mechanical at all. My contact: Moses (202) 247-6159 mobile

Symptoms:
The car is a 2008 BMW 530xi. The video link below will show the exact symptom he is experiencing – basically the car starts fine, shifts into Drive (or R or manual gears) then the shifter kicks back by itself into Park again. The last link shows a possible solution. Neither us is that knowledgeable, so w do not understand how that fixes the problem. I am posting this issue here for some expert feedback. Given the car cannot be driven, we want to make he don’t spend for 1-2 tows before doing some research.


LINKS: ->

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9mvs3gEDtc&sns=em

https://youtu.be/StAmug8M2UI (a possible solution)
You can get this issue resolved without the need to change the transmission. Look for a mechanic that can change the piece (plastic). IT WAS NOT THE SOLENOIDS. It was the transmission plug. Here is a video of a similar repair. This was the piece my mechanic replaced. https://youtu.be/StAmug8M2UI

[ricknut]

Hi Moses,

I have an autoenginuity diagnostic tool that checks all BMW codes. Let me know if you want me to check the problem. Do you have a professional ASE service manual on 535xi?

Richard