Lights on shifter not illuminating

Shuttlegoose · 01-31-2016, 12:14 PM

So I noticed a few days ago that the lights on the gear selector are not illuminating. They turn off after a minute or so. If u put the car in park, the P does not light up. If I put it in drive or reverse, the light does not change or illuminate. Has this ever happened before? I'm at 50,100 miles... This sucks.

TodmordenLad · 01-31-2016, 01:02 PM

Had this issue on one of my new F11's. Required replacement of gear shift lever, under warranty.

Shuttlegoose · 01-31-2016, 01:12 PM

Picture of no light

Shuttlegoose · 02-01-2016, 07:58 AM

Bump. So I started my car this morning and it was lighting up perfectly. As soon as I put the car in gear the light turns off approximately 5-15 seconds later. This every happen to anyone else?

canukgtp · 02-01-2016, 10:17 AM

I don't think I've ever paid that much attention to the shifter haha...now I'm going to have to check

smithf80 · 02-01-2016, 10:54 AM

Not supposed to happen, take it to the dealership.

tex2670 · 02-01-2016, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuttlegoose

So I noticed a few days ago that the lights on the gear selector are not illuminating. They turn off after a minute or so. If u put the car in park, the P does not light up. If I put it in drive or reverse, the light does not change or illuminate. Has this ever happened before? I'm at 50,100 miles... This sucks.

100 miles over the warranty limit--they may cut you some slack.

tex2670 · 02-01-2016, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuttlegoose

Bump. So I started my car this morning and it was lighting up perfectly. As soon as I put the car in gear the light turns off approximately 5-15 seconds later. This every happen to anyone else?

No--it is always supposed to be on.

x986 · 02-01-2016, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex2670

100 miles over the warranty limit--they may cut you some slack.

It's worth asking about, but I hope you wouldn't pay actual (or paper) money for a fix.

TodmordenLad · 02-01-2016, 01:19 PM

Please see my response above, I had the same problem and its a dealer fix

MO_23 · 02-01-2016, 01:26 PM

Talk to your SA, perhaps give him a call and save yourself a trip.. otherwise go to an INDY shop.

tex2670 · 02-01-2016, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x986

It's worth asking about, but I hope you wouldn't pay actual (or paper) money for a fix.

I agree--I'd press them to cover it under warranty since OP is so close, but if they refuse, there's an indicator in the IP, and you don't need the light on the shifter.

Shuttlegoose · 02-01-2016, 06:09 PM

Well I'm actually 1,000 over lol. More than I thought. I 100% will not take it or pay to have it fixed. Just curious if anyone trouble shooted the issue. Might be a fuse for all I know. Really sucks to be honest with you, I look down and have no idea what gear I'm in.

TodmordenLad · 02-02-2016, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuttlegoose

Well I'm actually 1,000 over lol. More than I thought. I 100% will not take it or pay to have it fixed. Just curious if anyone trouble shooted the issue. Might be a fuse for all I know. Really sucks to be honest with you, I look down and have no idea what gear I'm in.

For the 3rd time of posting (!!), you will have to take the car into a BMW dealer and have the gear selector replaced, unless you want to buy a new gear selector yourself, as per the link, and have it installed by a non-specialist. Risky to my mind. Might not be plug and play.

As you can see from the picture, its a self-contained unit, and the light module cant be replaced separately. Clearly, the lighting isn't supposed to fail but it does - as it did for me, and has done for you.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=25_0519

tex2670 · 02-02-2016, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuttlegoose

Really sucks to be honest with you, I look down and have no idea what gear I'm in.

Well--don't look down. Look at your IP, either in the center, or below the tach if you have extended display.

Shuttlegoose · 02-02-2016, 09:45 PM

Noticed that. Still frustrating. Thanks for the tip though!!

LoicNapaul · 06-30-2020, 06:00 AM

Hi all. I just bought the 320i F30 year 2012 with only 33,000km. I just noticed it has the same problem with no lights on the indicator. Can someone help me find a replacement? my car is a RHD. Thanks a lot.

upsidedownfunnel · 07-01-2020, 02:05 AM

I don't think I've ever had to look at the shifter to know what gear I'm in driving an automatic BMW. That's why the design is actually pretty good. You only have to be careful when you put it in neutral, but you don't have to do that often in an automatic.

ovsa · 03-18-2021, 11:25 AM

i know this is an older thread but just came across this occurrence 0n my 2014 F30

from my understanding it is the LED module inside he knob housing that is faulty

Has anyone had any luck just replacing the module without having to change out the whole assembly and then getting it reprogrammed to mate to the vehicle?

i see some used gear selectors on ebay for under $100 and wonder if its possible to just swap out the LED module.

Thanks

ovsa · 03-19-2021, 04:27 PM

Just took the trim off and see it a LED module that pops out.

Anybody know where to get a replacement ? Not handy enough with the soldering gun to replace the LEDs themselves.

JohnnyGFitness · 02-01-2022, 09:23 PM

I have a bmw 435x modified I had the same situation, a person that sells on eBay has the circuit board for around 180.00. It worked perfectly all you need is a torx t9 and a knife. They supplied a new circuit board and a new panel to the board. I will post a picture of what I got.

JohnnyGFitness · 02-01-2022, 09:27 PM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gear-Shift-...-127632-2357-0

01-31-2016, 12:14 PM	#1
Shuttlegoose First Lieutenant 29 Rep 318 Posts Drives: f30 328, e36 m3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Lights on shifter not illuminating So I noticed a few days ago that the lights on the gear selector are not illuminating. They turn off after a minute or so. If u put the car in park, the P does not light up. If I put it in drive or reverse, the light does not change or illuminate. Has this ever happened before? I'm at 50,100 miles... This sucks.
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01-31-2016, 01:02 PM	#2
TodmordenLad Brigadier General 3251 Rep 4,311 Posts Drives: Audi A4 Avant Join Date: May 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Had this issue on one of my new F11's. Required replacement of gear shift lever, under warranty. __________________ Owned: 440i GC LCI with MPPSK, F31 330D M Sport with MPPK, F11 530D SE, F11 520D SE, E61 530D M Sport, E36 325i plus many MB's, Audi's & Volvo's
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01-31-2016, 01:12 PM	#3
Shuttlegoose First Lieutenant 29 Rep 318 Posts Drives: f30 328, e36 m3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Picture of no light Attached Images
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02-01-2016, 07:58 AM	#4
Shuttlegoose First Lieutenant 29 Rep 318 Posts Drives: f30 328, e36 m3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Bump. So I started my car this morning and it was lighting up perfectly. As soon as I put the car in gear the light turns off approximately 5-15 seconds later. This every happen to anyone else?
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02-01-2016, 10:17 AM	#5
canukgtp First Lieutenant 107 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: New-Brunswick iTrader: (0)	I don't think I've ever paid that much attention to the shifter haha...now I'm going to have to check __________________ 2018 F80 M3 6MT (current) 2014 F31 328i Touring (sold) 2008 E92 M3 6MT (sold) 2011 E90 335xi (lease up)
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02-01-2016, 10:54 AM	#6
smithf80 Major General 3628 Rep 5,739 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	Not supposed to happen, take it to the dealership. __________________ Scott, Partner Insight Automotive Consulting Click HERE for all discounted BMW New Car Pricing Call/Text: 516-416-5481 Email: scott@insightautoconsulting.com
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02-01-2016, 01:19 PM	#10
TodmordenLad Brigadier General 3251 Rep 4,311 Posts Drives: Audi A4 Avant Join Date: May 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Please see my response above, I had the same problem and its a dealer fix __________________ Owned: 440i GC LCI with MPPSK, F31 330D M Sport with MPPK, F11 530D SE, F11 520D SE, E61 530D M Sport, E36 325i plus many MB's, Audi's & Volvo's
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02-01-2016, 01:26 PM	#11
MO_23 Private First Class 84 Rep 184 Posts Drives: 435i ENZO Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Talk to your SA, perhaps give him a call and save yourself a trip.. otherwise go to an INDY shop.
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02-01-2016, 06:09 PM	#13
Shuttlegoose First Lieutenant 29 Rep 318 Posts Drives: f30 328, e36 m3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Well I'm actually 1,000 over lol. More than I thought. I 100% will not take it or pay to have it fixed. Just curious if anyone trouble shooted the issue. Might be a fuse for all I know. Really sucks to be honest with you, I look down and have no idea what gear I'm in.
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02-02-2016, 09:45 PM	#16
Shuttlegoose First Lieutenant 29 Rep 318 Posts Drives: f30 328, e36 m3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Noticed that. Still frustrating. Thanks for the tip though!!
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06-30-2020, 06:00 AM	#17
LoicNapaul Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 320i F30 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Mauritius iTrader: (0)	Hi all. I just bought the 320i F30 year 2012 with only 33,000km. I just noticed it has the same problem with no lights on the indicator. Can someone help me find a replacement? my car is a RHD. Thanks a lot.
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07-01-2020, 02:05 AM	#18
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 1986 Rep 2,501 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	I don't think I've ever had to look at the shifter to know what gear I'm in driving an automatic BMW. That's why the design is actually pretty good. You only have to be careful when you put it in neutral, but you don't have to do that often in an automatic.
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03-18-2021, 11:25 AM	#19
ovsa New Member 12 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2014 328i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: calgary, alberta iTrader: (0)	i know this is an older thread but just came across this occurrence 0n my 2014 F30 from my understanding it is the LED module inside he knob housing that is faulty Has anyone had any luck just replacing the module without having to change out the whole assembly and then getting it reprogrammed to mate to the vehicle? i see some used gear selectors on ebay for under $100 and wonder if its possible to just swap out the LED module. Thanks
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03-19-2021, 04:27 PM	#20
ovsa New Member 12 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2014 328i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: calgary, alberta iTrader: (0)	Just took the trim off and see it a LED module that pops out. Anybody know where to get a replacement ? Not handy enough with the soldering gun to replace the LEDs themselves. Attached Images
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02-01-2022, 09:23 PM	#21
JohnnyGFitness New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: Black on Black 328xi Coupe Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Picture of what worked for a very expensive knob I have a bmw 435x modified I had the same situation, a person that sells on eBay has the circuit board for around 180.00. It worked perfectly all you need is a torx t9 and a knife. They supplied a new circuit board and a new panel to the board. I will post a picture of what I got. Last edited by JohnnyGFitness; 02-01-2022 at 09:26 PM.. Reason: Picture
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02-01-2022, 09:27 PM	#22
JohnnyGFitness New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: Black on Black 328xi Coupe Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gear-Shift-...-127632-2357-0
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