Nick E 37 Report post Posted December 2, 2020 (edited) So, straight from a long, tiring day at work and still smarting from an argument with my father, I left a petrol station with freezing cold hands, and how I did it I don't know, but I put the auto into reverse at around 30mph. No clunk or stall, or judder, but just an over rev for about a second as I realised what I did, then straight back into drive. No issues from the gearbox since then. Goes up and down smoothly, and into reverse no issues. I've never done this with any other auto I've owned before. I think I thought I was in sport mode, which I use all the time now, but I think I must have been in drive. Anything to concern myself with here, or just forget about it? Edited December 2, 2020 by Nick E Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carlton 62 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 If it's okay now it's probably fine. Are you sure you went all the way to reverse? If the knob on the shift lever is not pressed, it will not go past neutral when the lever is pushed forwards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick E 37 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 I think I may still have had the button pushed in on the stick as it got put into reverse. It was the over revving that made me check and pop it back into drive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huff 43 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 (edited) Don't worry - the engine revs flared becasue the gearbox ECM gave you a neutral instead, deliberately. The ZF gearboxes electronically protect themselves in such cases - while you've moved the lever, the ECM won't engage the solenoids to enact the command in quite a wide variety of cases, three examples: risk of engine over-speed (e.g inappropriate lower gear selection on manual shifts ) forward to reverse (or the opposite) over 3mph: the engine revved because it gave you a neutral instead. in manual mode, trying to pull away in 3th or 5th becasue you've forgotten to change down (it'll auto change to 3rd but remain 'manual' otherwise) - things like that. I've more details in a ZF document I found..will post below if I can find it. Edited December 3, 2020 by Huff typos Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clavurion 737 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 http://www.e38.org/electran1.pdf 1 Huff reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Spooner 94 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 Will it let you slam it into park? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clavurion 737 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 18 minutes ago, The Spooner said: Will it let you slam it into park? You can try and then educate us. Park is the same as Neutral + parking lock. On these older boxes the park lock actuation is mechanical so the the claw would be toast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Spooner 94 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Clavurion said: You can try and then educate us. Park is the same as Neutral + parking lock. On these older boxes the park lock actuation is mechanical so the the claw would be toast. unfortunately I cannot as I have to change gears myself, like a peasant! In my ignorance I did wonder if the gearbox ECU would prevent a shift to park (although I know the pawl is mechanical, I wondered if it had an electrical connection to it from the gearlever). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick E 37 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 Thanks everyone.. if only the untraceable stinky oil leak was as easily sorted! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike77 234 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 9 minutes ago, Nick E said: Thanks everyone.. if only the untraceable stinky oil leak was as easily sorted! Probably rocker cover gasket or cracked rocker cover itself dripping oil on to exhaust assuming it's a burny oil smell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick E 37 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 Yeah, I've been over this adnauseum. I've had the gasket replaced and everywhere else has been checked. It's possibly the cover, although the garage never red flagged it, but it'll have to wait to the new year now. I'm not massively worried. It just honks from time to time. My brother mentioned he had the same on his late 90's Audi 80. That stank for 8 years! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huff 43 Report post Posted December 3, 2020 Wait till the car is cool, look over the exhaust side first with a bright torch for oily-damp spots - prob easier after dark , TBH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites