BMW i3 Transmission Won't Start Unless in Gear: Help Needed

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i8 Hybrid last month. The symptoms were almost identical, rough shifting, check engine light, and transmission acting up. Turned out the transmission control module was failing, affecting the parking lock mechanism and shift controls. Had it checked at the shop and they diagnosed it as "Affected control unit defective" after running diagnostics. The repair required replacing the transmission control module and reprogramming the new unit. It was a serious job since the transmission could've been permanently damaged if left unfixed. The car's running perfectly now, smooth shifts and no more check engine light. Given your symptoms, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. Would definitely recommend getting it checked soon to prevent any potential transmission damage. Good luck with the repairs!

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i8 Hybrid last month. The symptoms were almost identical, rough shifting, check engine light, and transmission acting up. Turned out the transmission control module was failing, affecting the parking lock mechanism and shift controls. Had it checked at the shop and they diagnosed it as "Affected control unit defective" after running diagnostics. The repair required replacing the transmission control module and reprogramming the new unit. It was a serious job since the transmission could've been permanently damaged if left unfixed. The car's running perfectly now, smooth shifts and no more check engine light. Given your symptoms, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. Would definitely recommend getting it checked soon to prevent any potential transmission damage. Good luck with the repairs!

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i8 Hybrid last month. The symptoms were almost identical, rough shifting, check engine light, and transmission acting up. Turned out the transmission control module was failing, affecting the parking lock mechanism and shift controls. Had it checked at the shop and they diagnosed it as "Affected control unit defective" after running diagnostics. The repair required replacing the transmission control module and reprogramming the new unit. It was a serious job since the transmission could've been permanently damaged if left unfixed. The car's running perfectly now, smooth shifts and no more check engine light. Given your symptoms, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. Would definitely recommend getting it checked soon to prevent any potential transmission damage. Good luck with the repairs!

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i8 Hybrid last month. The symptoms were almost identical, rough shifting, check engine light, and transmission acting up. Turned out the transmission control module was failing, affecting the parking lock mechanism and shift controls. Had it checked at the shop and they diagnosed it as "Affected control unit defective" after running diagnostics. The repair required replacing the transmission control module and reprogramming the new unit. It was a serious job since the transmission could've been permanently damaged if left unfixed. The car's running perfectly now, smooth shifts and no more check engine light. Given your symptoms, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. Would definitely recommend getting it checked soon to prevent any potential transmission damage. Good luck with the repairs!

Thanks for sharing your experience! This sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Just got my i3 back after having a similar repair done last week. The transmission control module replacement sorted out most of my issues too. Since you had yours fixed a month ago, do you remember roughly how much it set you back? Also, curious if you've noticed any other quirks pop up since the repair? A bit nervous about potential long-term effects.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Just got my i3 back after having a similar repair done last week. The transmission control module replacement sorted out most of my issues too. Since you had yours fixed a month ago, do you remember roughly how much it set you back? Also, curious if you've noticed any other quirks pop up since the repair? A bit nervous about potential long-term effects.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Just got my i3 back after having a similar repair done last week. The transmission control module replacement sorted out most of my issues too. Since you had yours fixed a month ago, do you remember roughly how much it set you back? Also, curious if you've noticed any other quirks pop up since the repair? A bit nervous about potential long-term effects.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Just got my i3 back after having a similar repair done last week. The transmission control module replacement sorted out most of my issues too. Since you had yours fixed a month ago, do you remember roughly how much it set you back? Also, curious if you've noticed any other quirks pop up since the repair? A bit nervous about potential long-term effects.

Hey again! Great to hear you got your i3 fixed! Yes, my repair bill came to exactly 1000 € for the transmission control unit replacement and programming. Honestly, while it wasn't cheap, it was totally worth it to get the car running properly again. I'm happy to report that since getting it fixed, my i8 has been running like a dream. The parking position is working perfectly now, no more issues with that at all. The transmission shifts are buttery smooth, and everything's working exactly as it should. Haven't noticed any new quirks or problems popping up in the month since the repair. Don't worry too much about long-term effects. These BMWs are pretty solid once you get the actual problem sorted out. Just keep up with regular maintenance and you should be good to go. The transmission control unit isn't something that typically fails again if it's been properly replaced and programmed. Let me know if you notice anything else unusual, but I think you'll be just as satisfied with your repair as I am with mine!

Hey again! Great to hear you got your i3 fixed! Yes, my repair bill came to exactly 1000 € for the transmission control unit replacement and programming. Honestly, while it wasn't cheap, it was totally worth it to get the car running properly again. I'm happy to report that since getting it fixed, my i8 has been running like a dream. The parking position is working perfectly now, no more issues with that at all. The transmission shifts are buttery smooth, and everything's working exactly as it should. Haven't noticed any new quirks or problems popping up in the month since the repair. Don't worry too much about long-term effects. These BMWs are pretty solid once you get the actual problem sorted out. Just keep up with regular maintenance and you should be good to go. The transmission control unit isn't something that typically fails again if it's been properly replaced and programmed. Let me know if you notice anything else unusual, but I think you'll be just as satisfied with your repair as I am with mine!

Hey again! Great to hear you got your i3 fixed! Yes, my repair bill came to exactly 1000 € for the transmission control unit replacement and programming. Honestly, while it wasn't cheap, it was totally worth it to get the car running properly again. I'm happy to report that since getting it fixed, my i8 has been running like a dream. The parking position is working perfectly now, no more issues with that at all. The transmission shifts are buttery smooth, and everything's working exactly as it should. Haven't noticed any new quirks or problems popping up in the month since the repair. Don't worry too much about long-term effects. These BMWs are pretty solid once you get the actual problem sorted out. Just keep up with regular maintenance and you should be good to go. The transmission control unit isn't something that typically fails again if it's been properly replaced and programmed. Let me know if you notice anything else unusual, but I think you'll be just as satisfied with your repair as I am with mine!

Hey again! Great to hear you got your i3 fixed! Yes, my repair bill came to exactly 1000 € for the transmission control unit replacement and programming. Honestly, while it wasn't cheap, it was totally worth it to get the car running properly again. I'm happy to report that since getting it fixed, my i8 has been running like a dream. The parking position is working perfectly now, no more issues with that at all. The transmission shifts are buttery smooth, and everything's working exactly as it should. Haven't noticed any new quirks or problems popping up in the month since the repair. Don't worry too much about long-term effects. These BMWs are pretty solid once you get the actual problem sorted out. Just keep up with regular maintenance and you should be good to go. The transmission control unit isn't something that typically fails again if it's been properly replaced and programmed. Let me know if you notice anything else unusual, but I think you'll be just as satisfied with your repair as I am with mine!

Thanks for the detailed info! Really relieved to hear your i8 is running well after the fix. My repair actually cost a bit less, around 800 € all in. The mechanic I ended up choosing did a great job explaining everything. They showed me the old control unit and walked me through what was causing the problems. Funny story, while I was waiting at the shop, another BMW came in with identical symptoms. The mechanic joked about having a "BMW transmission party" that day! But seriously, they were super professional and even gave the car a courtesy wash after the repair. After a week of driving, everything's working perfectly. The shifts are smooth again, and that annoying check engine light is finally gone. Guess we both dodged a bullet by getting it fixed before any major transmission damage happened. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped calm my nerves about the whole situation. Taking it to a specialized shop definitely made a difference!

Thanks for the detailed info! Really relieved to hear your i8 is running well after the fix. My repair actually cost a bit less, around 800 € all in. The mechanic I ended up choosing did a great job explaining everything. They showed me the old control unit and walked me through what was causing the problems. Funny story, while I was waiting at the shop, another BMW came in with identical symptoms. The mechanic joked about having a "BMW transmission party" that day! But seriously, they were super professional and even gave the car a courtesy wash after the repair. After a week of driving, everything's working perfectly. The shifts are smooth again, and that annoying check engine light is finally gone. Guess we both dodged a bullet by getting it fixed before any major transmission damage happened. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped calm my nerves about the whole situation. Taking it to a specialized shop definitely made a difference!

Thanks for the detailed info! Really relieved to hear your i8 is running well after the fix. My repair actually cost a bit less, around 800 € all in. The mechanic I ended up choosing did a great job explaining everything. They showed me the old control unit and walked me through what was causing the problems. Funny story, while I was waiting at the shop, another BMW came in with identical symptoms. The mechanic joked about having a "BMW transmission party" that day! But seriously, they were super professional and even gave the car a courtesy wash after the repair. After a week of driving, everything's working perfectly. The shifts are smooth again, and that annoying check engine light is finally gone. Guess we both dodged a bullet by getting it fixed before any major transmission damage happened. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped calm my nerves about the whole situation. Taking it to a specialized shop definitely made a difference!

Thanks for the detailed info! Really relieved to hear your i8 is running well after the fix. My repair actually cost a bit less, around 800 € all in. The mechanic I ended up choosing did a great job explaining everything. They showed me the old control unit and walked me through what was causing the problems. Funny story, while I was waiting at the shop, another BMW came in with identical symptoms. The mechanic joked about having a "BMW transmission party" that day! But seriously, they were super professional and even gave the car a courtesy wash after the repair. After a week of driving, everything's working perfectly. The shifts are smooth again, and that annoying check engine light is finally gone. Guess we both dodged a bullet by getting it fixed before any major transmission damage happened. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped calm my nerves about the whole situation. Taking it to a specialized shop definitely made a difference!