1991 535i Center Console

[Jack Redd]

I need some help with my 535i. It's a '91 and I wonder if anyone can tell me how to shift lever cover that slide with the automatic shifter. Mine has gotten messed up and I need to replace it. I bought one from a parts magaxzine but have no clue as to how to replace it. I figure that I need to remove the console to get to it, but I don't see any obvious way to remove the console. Also, recently my A/M overdrive slider switch got gummed up from my wife's exploding coffee cup! I cleaned up around the slider and got it moving, but when I got it going, it switched from "E" mode to "M" mode and would not go back to "E" mode. Now I get no display in the LCD display on the speedometer pod beside the gear readout. Just a blank space. The car seems to operate correctly going through the shifting of the gears ok and even into overdrive then switching to passing gear when you punch it. But there is no display. Any suggestions? I would appreciate any help. I have a Haynes manual, but it doesn't say anything about removing the console.

[jeffreyb4me]

Remove the shift handle [3mm allen bolt].
The center cover lifts out, straight up in the front and has hooks in the rear. carefully using a small pick-hook at each forward corner, use the hook to work the cover up about a 1/2" on each side. Once the front is 'free', you'll have room to slide it forward slightly at release the two rear hooks and pull the cover free. Unplug the mode switch and REPLACE it. You'll see the shift slide cover now. If your's has a sliding 'red' postion indicator, pay someone to replace it. You will break the new one and it's housing trying yourself unless your very patient, careful and fortunate.
IF there's no indicator, the replacement slider kind of rolls into that plastic carrier, I don't type well enough the give your a step by step on this one. If you see how it's held in, you should be ok.

[Jack Redd]

Thanks! I'll give it a try in the next couple of days and let you know how it goes.

[Jack Redd]

Well I got the cover off and replaced the shift slider. Not a real problem. Thanks for the help. Got any advice about the auto/manual shift selector switch. Actually, when I had the cover off, I cleaned the contacts and put it back together...the harness connector that is. However, it didn't help. Maybe it did help a little because the manual light comes on in the speedometer indicator, but not the "E" for the automatic overdrive. What happens now is that when you slide it up into the auto mode, the light switches from M to blank and then changes back to M. In other words it won't stay in auto mode. I think the switch has gone bad. Any thoughts?

[jeffreyb4me]

It's likely those 'foriegn' liquids these and the window switches were 'designed' to collect and hold until it ruins the switch.
Replacement is the best advise I have ahving never bothered aking one appart to attempt cleaning, if possible........best to you, stay in touch...........

[Jack Redd]

Thanks for the input. I did find the switch on the internet at a website called www.krynock.com.

[Jack Redd]

I ordered the switch from the dealer and finally got around to replacing it last weekend. When I put everything back together and started the car...everything was as it should be. The "E" display was back in the speedometer readout LED and when I drove the car, the automatic overdrive was operating as it should. A classic case of a defective A/M automatic overdrive switch! Thanks.

[jeffreyb4me]

Glad I could help.