Cog light on and gear selector light off

ANTHONY ALVIN MONROE

MEMBER
1997 BMW 528
2.8L
6 CYL
RWD
AUTOMATIC
144,000 MILES

Will run perfect for a mile or so then the cog light comes on and the gear selector light does not say what gear it is in. From that point on there is an audible click and physical click on the shifter that can also be heard outside of the vehicle. The clicking only happens when in park and stops when you push the brake pedal. We replaced the transmission range sensor and topped off transmission fluid. Not putting out any codes and there is no check engine light.

4 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Hello,

Can you please make a video of the noise so we can get a better understanding of problem?

Please let us know.

Cheers, Ken

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Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 AT 10:36 AM

ANTHONY ALVIN MONROE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The clicking is the transmission lock relay attached to the shifter opening and closing and getting hot. When I have no warning lights and I unplug this the car goes into limp mode. The cog light displays but the selected gear stays lit up. When I plug it back in the car works normal until I drive for an it for a mile and then it starts opening and closing again and the cog light comes on, but it does not show what gear I am in. Note the relay only opens and closes while in park and stops when holding the brake there is also a loud audible click coming from the transmission even when the relay is unplugged and not clicking.

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Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 AT 12:24 PM

ANTHONY ALVIN MONROE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I checked the plunger on the brake pedal that controls the relay and it is working normal. So this all leads me to believe that the clicking on the lock relay is a symptom of whatever else is going on.

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Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 AT 12:25 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like you have a fuse or relay that is loose in the fuse block or the transmission control module is going out. Here are some guides and diagrams (Below) that will help us get the problem fixed.

Do the wiggle test on the fuses to see if you can get a reaction from the interlock solenoid.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Please run some tests and get back to us we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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