Car is locked in "PARK" - help!
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Once the vehicle is started, I don't believe removing the key from the cabin prevents switching gears. There is a section in the manual that goes over how to manually release the shift lever lock. I believe it's on page 69. It's a bit of an involved process though.
Thanks for the feedback. I spent about twenty minutes trying, turning the car off, waiting a few minutes, then starting it again. The gear remained locked in park position. About three hours later I called the dealer service when they opened and they said I would have to get the car towed to them, not that easy considering how far away they are.
I tried the process again after getting off the phone with them and it worked! Just like that! I later talked to the sales guy and he said it was probably a "programming error" rather than something mechanical. He said to take the car in and get it checked out.
I tried the process again after getting off the phone with them and it worked! Just like that! I later talked to the sales guy and he said it was probably a "programming error" rather than something mechanical. He said to take the car in and get it checked out.
I had it happen to me right before Christmas. Just when I was about to give up and call roadside assistance, my husband decided to give it a try and of course it worked. I feel bad about saying I'm glad it happened to you, but it may now cut down on the number of jokes around here about my hair colour! Was you your car parked on any kind of a slope at all? Because that can apparently lock you transmission up. Jostling the car a little can unstick things. At least that was the explanation I was given.
I haven't had any repeats. Maybe our cars were just expressing their quirky sense of humour and all is good now. My dealership hadn't heard of anything like it and didn't seem particularly concerned. If you hear anything more from your dealership, I would be interested to know more.
2015 mini locking transmission
Happened to me today while parked on a slope. Page54 of the manual describes how to manually release the transmission lock.unerneath the sleeve of the shifter there is a yellow button. You push it, slightly move the shifter back... Car will jerk, but then you can shift. I drove can for about 10 minutes, parked in on a flat surface and it happened again! Boyfriend came over and of course no issue for him.....seems to working now .. Tried it about 5 more times with no problem. Good luck !
Happened to me today while parked on a slope. Page54 of the manual describes how to manually release the transmission lock.unerneath the sleeve of the shifter there is a yellow button. You push it, slightly move the shifter back... Car will jerk, but then you can shift. I drove can for about 10 minutes, parked in on a flat surface and it happened again! Boyfriend came over and of course no issue for him.....seems to working now .. Tried it about 5 more times with no problem. Good luck !
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This issue came up on another forum. There is a service bulletin out for this - some F56/F55s with older software may experience this. No faults are stored and it's difficult to reproduce.
A newer software will fix it and can be done by the dealer under warranty. The process can take several hours (grab a loaner!) since it has to reprogram the entire car, but it should fix your problem.
A newer software will fix it and can be done by the dealer under warranty. The process can take several hours (grab a loaner!) since it has to reprogram the entire car, but it should fix your problem.
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Should have been a manual
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With a nod to all of the above posts, my F56 has had the same symptoms twice 7000 miles apart with the added feature of it not shifting out of 1st gear while driving.
I found that turning the car OFF, getting out and ALARMING the car for about 20 minutes seems to reset the computer and resolve the problem. The 20 minutes also gives ME a chance to calm down and reset!
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Another one. My wife's Mini is stuck in Park in a grocery store parking lot. Had to leave it overnight so hope it's still there today. The dealer recommended having it towed in and said it may be a couple of days before we get it back. No loaners available. Not good. A serious design flaw for Mini.
Well, it just happened again! I was out doing errands, get in and start and sure enough , it's locked in PARK again. Spoke to the sales guy who sold the car to me and right away he said to give it ten to fifteen minutes and start up again and I should not have a problem. He made sure to say they have not had others experience this problem, but the way he had a solution for me right away, makes me wonder.
After fifteen minutes it did shift out of PARK with no problem.
This time, I am definitely going to take the car in to get the programming checked out. Never got around to it last time because of my hectic schedule and the dealership being a distance away.
After fifteen minutes it did shift out of PARK with no problem.
This time, I am definitely going to take the car in to get the programming checked out. Never got around to it last time because of my hectic schedule and the dealership being a distance away.
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Here's the service bulletin for it: SI M25 02 14
Newer software programming fixes the issue.
Newer software programming fixes the issue.
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