Had an 8 point Buck jump onto the hood/windshield of my 2008 MINI Cooper S; needless to say, lots of damage. Right now, the tranny is stuck in Park; guessing the sensor for the brake or some other safety device is preventing it from going into neutral. At the wreck, they pulled my baby acrosss the road onto the truck with the tires in PARK

Before I take it to the shop ($10K in damage) I want to get it in neutral. Im on travel and can't get to my owners manual. Is there a way to manually release the safety interlock for the transmission?

Thanks

 

Unfortunately no there is not.

 

Here's a PIX of my baby; must say, the MINI protected me well. Even at 55mph the impact wasnt that bad (physically) as I didnt have a bruise nor was I sore the next day. The deer however didn't fair as well.

 

Thanks; was hoping there was a way...gonna have to get it up on dolleys so as not to damage it anymore.

Thanks again

 

Glad you are ok and didn't have a hoof or antler come through the windscreen and hit you!!

 

Yea, the darn thing took one leap off the side of an embankment and landed right on my car; scariest part was the windshield shatterring and I couldn't see at 55mph. Pulled over and saw the deer kickeng and I was saying, "you better die..if you don't I'll hit you again"...one minute later it was dead. The funniest part, if there is one, is the Deputy's name was Outlaw!! Cool guy but want a name, Deputy Outlaw!!!!!

 

Looks like you had your sunroof open at the time.If it had been closed it might have shattered all over you.

 

WOW. I'm glad you're ok, and I hope things work out for you. I'm also saving your pic and information to show those doubting thomases at work - I keep TELLING people this car is built like a tank!!

 

wow, I dont know how they expect to fix that roof. Good to hear the mini took the crash well and kept you safe.

 

Pulling your car along in park isn't going to do any damage more serious than taking a tiny fraction of rubber off of the part of your tires that slid. When a rollback winches a car it puts a steady, constant pull on it. I used to repo cars as well as tow illegally parked cars and I never damaged a transmission.

BTW, there has to be some sort of shifter interlock release in there. Every modern car I've ever seen has one. It's probably well hidden but, it's there.

 

I'm glad you survived. You are very lucky my friend. I wouldn't worry about the transmission. I'd be amazed if your MINI isn't totaled.

 

sorry, poor deer:(

 

and poor dear. You were very lucky, indeed.

 

Thanks for the replies. Spoke with MINI today and was told there is no interlock; hard to believe but that's what they said. I was told that if the tranny is damaged, it goes into a "safety" mode that "locks" the transmission. Don't know if that's my problem as amazingly, the car will start right up. I'm guessing a sensor has popped lose (or is busted) that's preventing it from coming out of Park.

Insurance company says they'll repair the body first and get to the transmission later. Right now the estimated cost is around $10K. Wish they would just total it but........

I'll keep you posted

 

hmm.. i think you pull up the pleather shift **** boot and there's a little wire ring you have to pull up to disengage the shiftlock.

i'm assuming that it's an auto.

 

Thanks, I'll look when I get back at the end of the week. Insurance company wants it moved ASAP as they're paying storage but can't say I have much sympathy for them. Been paying insurance for over 30 years...first claim so they can cut me some slack

 

Here you go G8rman.

Overriding the selector lever lock

Should the selector lever refuse to move out of
overridden:

1. Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
cable connector if necessary.
3. Depress the brake.

 

Futuremini,

THANKS for the instructions. Passed this to my repair shop today and they are going to ty it tomorrow...greatly appreciate the response.

G8rman

 

G8rman,
Glad to help and good luck with the mini. Please keep us updated.

 

WOW, looks like a terrible accident, many sorries to you i dont know about the auto transmission but i did like to see how well the mini held up against that kind of impact, it instills confidence in me now. I now know that my mini can take a beating and wont crumple in on me

 

OMG.. i am so sorry to hear that

 

did you have any deer soup?