last week I posted that my wife would wiggle the steering wheel to get the stuck fob to release and start the car. Well, it’s doing again and I think the car believes it’s in reverse. Wiggle shifter, slam the door, rock the car and eventually it realeases. During this time, in park, the reverse lights are on and “R” on the dash where there should be a “P”. That’s my problem.

Trued googling it it and can’t find advice on this problem. Any thought?

 

General weirdness in BMW and Mini often relates to a low battery. Is the fob fully charged and the car battery showing 12.4 volts (using a multimeter) while sitting with the engine off? I ask because checking this stuff is cheap and easy.

 

There's a switch that tells the ECU the position of the gear selector. Depending on age and mileage on the car (it helps if you add that info in your post) it could be either the switch going bad or the adjustment of the cable from the shift lever to the transmission. I had a Volvo 850T with this problem. You'll need to get the Bentley manual for the details on how to check the switch and cable.

 

Thank you. It’s a 2008 Mini Cooper s turbo. I had the battery checked first. It is good. The problem is the car thinks it’s in reverse.

 

Thank you all for your replies. Sorry about the previous typos -- can hardly see my i-phone.

I see that this thread was moved to the appropriate forum. Still learning.

 

We see the shifters go bad or get soda and coffee spilled in them all the time causing this so I would check that first.

 

I think SkiBum is on the right track if all the batteries are good. There's a switch which senses shift lever position, and it does sound like it has moved. I'd have it checked and adjusted.

 

also check the shifter cable going to the transmission position switch. it is adjacent to the thermostat housing and sits on the transmission.

 

If the weather isn't too wet or cold, or both, this weekend here on the outskirts of Philadelphia I will try adjusting the sensor switch or cable. Thanks.

 

oh man, you're behind my back yard lol..northeast philly - -> summerdale and longshore

 

having the same issue- 2007 mini cooper s automatic (50,000 miles). Car thinks it is in reverse when put in P. Car goes through the gears fine when it is started in Neutral, this issue only happens when parking. move shift to P - the reverse camera comes on and a warning sound, the car can be switched off, but key then cant be removed. When starting the car need to be jolted slightly usually by banging on the seat, then it can be moved into Neutral to start. I have had the cable adjusted and the sensor, which fixed it for about one outing each before the issue returned. Any Ideas??
Other ideas I have seen people say are;
-flush the gears
-software issue?
-battery issue?