Drivetrain 6-speed locked in gear when temperature below freezing
#1
6-speed locked in gear when temperature below freezing
I have had a repeated issue when parking my car leaving the transmission in first gear and finding the next morning that if the temperature has dropped below freezing that it is not possible to pull the shifter out of gear.
I initially suspected frozen water on the underside of the car but it even happens when it has been dry for days.
The only fix has been to either to push the clutch in and let the heat from the engine warm the trans -- or to wait for the outside temperature to warm up.
This is not an issue of simply thick trans oil when the car is cold as I have been driving manual transmission cars for 30 years.
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
I initially suspected frozen water on the underside of the car but it even happens when it has been dry for days.
The only fix has been to either to push the clutch in and let the heat from the engine warm the trans -- or to wait for the outside temperature to warm up.
This is not an issue of simply thick trans oil when the car is cold as I have been driving manual transmission cars for 30 years.
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
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Slightly related, my car does weird things during freezing temps also. Most electronics on the car stop working like headlights, turn signals, the heater, the dome lights. The seat warmers, radio, transmission, and ebrake work fine. And it does this everytime it freezes. But it will still start and after the car warms up it returns to normal operating conditions.
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If you leave the car in neutral, how does the shift linkage feel on startup? Or to put it another way is this 1st, or all gears?
My R53 was also stiff at very low temps, and I got used to doubling my shifts for the 1st mile, but based on your observations your situation is worse.
Warming the car up with the clutch in is what has me curious. Is it the tranny that is being warmed, or is it the portion of the linkage which is under the bonnet I wonder?
I'm tending to agree with those that are pointing to the linkage as a potential cure.
Cheers,
Charlie
My R53 was also stiff at very low temps, and I got used to doubling my shifts for the 1st mile, but based on your observations your situation is worse.
Warming the car up with the clutch in is what has me curious. Is it the tranny that is being warmed, or is it the portion of the linkage which is under the bonnet I wonder?
I'm tending to agree with those that are pointing to the linkage as a potential cure.
Cheers,
Charlie
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#8
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It's moisture in the cables. Normal wear at the cable ends will allow moisture in and it freezes. Replace both cables. The electrical issue is probably battery related. Whencold the voltage drops and MINI's don't react well to low voltage. After the car is running a while voltage is increased within the battery and the ekectrical issues cease. Replace the battery.
#9
Based on the replies above I believe it must be moisture/water in the cables. It does it in any gear that I leave it in -- including neutral (meaning the shifter simply does not want to move until warmed up. Yes, the tans oil is thick when cold -- but that's a completed different feel.
Any suggestions on where to buy the cables?
Thanks all!
Any suggestions on where to buy the cables?
Thanks all!
#10
Based on the replies above I believe it must be moisture/water in the cables. It does it in any gear that I leave it in -- including neutral (meaning the shifter simply does not want to move until warmed up. Yes, the tans oil is thick when cold -- but that's a completed different feel.
Any suggestions on where to buy the cables?
Thanks all!
Any suggestions on where to buy the cables?
Thanks all!
#11
#12
It's moisture in the cables. Normal wear at the cable ends will allow moisture in and it freezes. Replace both cables. The electrical issue is probably battery related. Whencold the voltage drops and MINI's don't react well to low voltage. After the car is running a while voltage is increased within the battery and the ekectrical issues cease. Replace the battery.
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