SMG Issue

[6884ret]

OK...I admit it. My M3 is more of a garage queen than a daily driver. I have a 2002 with SMG. I just turned 7K miles. Sometimes it will sit for 2 weeks or more between drives. Sometimes even over a month while I'm on vacation. Twice when I've tried to start it after a long period of time, I cannot get the SMG to go into the 0, or neutral setting without a hell of a lot of effort. This involves depressing the brake pedal several times and jockying the center console shifter back and forth for a long period of time. Finally, it will go to 0 and I can start the car. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I thought I would get some input before I take it into the dealer to have it checked out (of course, I will be unable to duplicate the problem...thus I need some knowledgeable help from some of the others on this board with SMG transmissions).

 

[epj3]

Probably a loss of hydraulic pressure in the system. When you first turn the key, i believe you will hear the pumps for the smg system turn on. These pumps require a lot of energy to build that pressure. If it the system does not have enough pressure, for example from sitting for a while, it must rebuild that pressure before it can do anything. Now give these pumps 3/4 or even 2/3 the power they need to build the pressure efficiently (battery is low due to lack of usage) and you will get a delay. If i understand the system correctly, than this is probably the reason.

If this does not happen when you drive the car often, then I am probably correct.

 

[6884ret]

Thanks epj3. Could be the problem, although I have a charger on the car which maintains the battery during long periods between start ups. I appreciate your input.

 

[epj3]

It might just be a lack of pressure then. I imagine this is a very high pressure system, since it can do it's job pretty damn quick.

Anyone else have any input? I'm kind of curious...