Flashing SMG gear # in the display [Archive] - Bimmerfest

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bart jefferson

07-28-2005, 05:47 AM

Ajax

07-28-2005, 01:03 PM

Aloha, friends -

The gear # indicator is flashing, now when in A or S. It used to be on solid. Did I break something? The hood is closed but I noticed it flashing after the hood was opened for an oil check.

Thanks

Sometimes that sensor sticks. Try opening and closing the hood again. It's happened to me....

Pinecone

07-28-2005, 04:29 PM

Hood is not fully shut.

bart jefferson

07-28-2005, 08:57 PM

The switch was loose! You nailed it. Right On.

BMW540ISPORT

07-24-2006, 05:09 AM

This has just happend to my car, where is the hood switch guys, and did this work for you when you opened and closed the hood again.

Ajax

07-24-2006, 11:46 AM

This has just happend to my car, where is the hood switch guys, and did this work for you when you opened and closed the hood again.

I don't know where the actual switch itself is...just opening it and shutting it once worked for me. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

bren

07-24-2006, 12:04 PM

It's a black plunger switch next to the '+' battery jump start terminal on the passenger side rear of the engine bay.

M3ZAK

02-27-2008, 02:17 AM

Mine just started doing it too! After taking it to BMW for a service of course (typical). I really thoght it had something to do with some sort of sensor or gear failing in the transmission, lucky! I love the SMG!

pete1199

01-11-2009, 08:01 AM

I just had to replace the hood on my '04 M3 after hitting a deer and now my gear # indicator will not stop flashing and it will even kick me out of gear and into neutral sometimes. I have tried opening and closing the hood numerous times and pressing the plunger switch but to no avail. Any other ideas?

///MMM

01-14-2009, 09:50 AM

this sounds like the switch and the hood are not aligned....take it back to the shop that installed the hood and get the switch and hood to be in the correct relationship..good luck..:thumbup:

Jim in Oregon

01-17-2009, 04:58 AM

The hood sensors for the SMG flashing are in the holes where the hood pins go into. There are two of them.If you look inside the holes you'll see the switches. Those two pins have to make contact with the sensors or you'll get the flashing numbers or not allowed into gear.

AussieM3

01-29-2009, 06:28 PM

Thanks to all for the replies. I just picked my '02 M3 last Friday. It had a registration check this morning at a local mechanic and when I was driving home the gear indicator was permanently flashing. Only having had the car a week my blood pressure went up immediately thinking of expensive SMG repairs. Soon as I got home I googled "M3 smg flashing gear' and hit this thread straight up. To clarify, the fix (in my situaton anyway) was the hood sensors inside the holes where the hood pins seat on closure. I sprayed some WD40 (lubricant) on the sensors and adjusted one of them that looked a bit askew. All fine now. Thanks again. Saved me the hassle of a trip to the BMW Dealership and the anxiety in between!!