My BMW 318i 2003 automatic transmission not responding to gear liver. what is wrong with my car?

BMWs in the 3 Series and 5 Series that come with the 5-speed ZF transmission commonly experience problems with torque converter delamination. Drivers will notice signs of this problem when the car appears to shudder or misfire at around 40-50km/h.
This BMW transmission problem needs to be repaired as soon as the first signs are noticed. If you drive until the converter lining actually fails, it can destroy the entire pump assembly in the transmission. This will require a complete reconditioning of the automatic transmission.
BMW drivers are cautioned that it is better to spend a little now, rather than a lot later.
Apart from the problem with the torque converter delaminating, these 5-speed transmissions commonly suffer breakage of the D/G cylinder. If this breaks, the car loses reverse gear. This automatic transmission problem is another that requires a total transmission overhaul to repair.

Hi there.
Well because its a auto box you could have a band or pump problem which is in the gear box and is bathed in auto matic fluid oil and that could be your problem as the bands do wear down fast on a lot of cars and BMW with there power that could be you.
So take it to a auto box people and get it checked out.

Check engine light? If not try changing the transmission filter.

have the transmission serviced
dirty oil causes what is indicated
run the fault codes to find other sensor problems

no the auto is shorter because the transmission is longer

It can be issue with gears or problem with transmission and needs to be rebuilt. Also get the ****** fluid checked. If it's low, then such problems occurs.

To troubleshoot these types of issues, check the actual solved problems with these types of issues.

There are solved help links provided below: -------

Click the link below and go through the details and diagrams to troubleshoot the problem: -----
2003 Lexus RX300: Transmission Fluid Burnt Brown and not Shift to reverse?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2003-lexus-rx300-transmission-fluid.html

-----------
2007 Chrysler 300: Transmission Stuck in Park?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-chrysler-300-transmission-stuck-in.html

-------------
2000 Toyota Camry: Transmission slipping and Stuck up?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-transmission-slipping.html

----------
1996 Toyota Corolla: Transmission Shift Interlock will not Release?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/1996-toyota-corolla-transmission-shift.html

-------------
Lexus LS400: Transmission or Torque Converter?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/lexus-ls400-transmission-or-torque.html

------------
CV AXLE stuck in Transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/cv-axle-stuck-in-transmission.html

------------
Transmission in reverse, acts like it's in neutral? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/transmission-in-reverse-acts-like-its.html

------------
Delayed shift and harsh Shifting?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/delayed-shift-and-harsh-shifting.html

------------
Dodge neon wont go in reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-wont-go-in-reverse.html

-----------
Dodge Automatic transmission will not go into reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-automatic-transmission-will-not.html

-----------
Dodge manual transmission will not go in reverse gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-manual-transmission-will-not-go.html

------------
Transmission is making buzzing noise?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-is-making-buzzing-noise.html

------------
1998 Dodge Ram: Not Shift To Reverse? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-dodge-ram-not-shift-to-reverse.html

------------
Transmission leak on Toyota?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-leak-on-toyota.html

-------------
Automatic transmission, with no reverse?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/automatic-transmission-with-no-reverse.html

---------
No Movement When Transmission is Shifted to Drive or Third?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/no-movement-when-transmission-is.html

---------
While going in reverse mode Fuse number 27 blows on Ford Ranger?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/while-going-in-reverse-mode-fuse-number.html

--------

These are direct links with appropriate solutions to the specific problems of gear ****.

GEAR SHIFT ISSUES

Gear indicator Shows "3" Instead Of "D"? http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/gear-indicator-shows-3-instead-of-d.html --------- 2006 Chrysler 300c: Shifter Stuck in Park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-chrysler-300c-shifter-stuck-in.html ---------- 1998 Ford Expedition: Will not Shift Out of Park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-ford-expedition-will-not-shift-out.html --------- Car will not move when in gear? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ----------- Mercedes-Benz transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ---------- Mercedes Benz not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ---------- Chrysler PT Cruiser only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html

----------

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html
------- 2007 Ford Expedition: How to shift car in neutral with Dead Battery http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/11/2007-ford-expedition-how-to-shift-car.html -------- 2002 Nissan sentra will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html -------- Nissan Sentra stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html --------- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html
----------- Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html

----------
Car won't downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
-------- Buick Park Avenue: Transmission will Not shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
------------ No First gear Starts In Second Gear http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-first-gear-starts-in-second-gear.html ------- Ford Taurus won't shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html --------- 2006 Ford F150: Will Not Shift out Of Park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-ford-f150-will-not-shift-out-of.html -------- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
---------- 1998 Chrysler Voyager: Transmission Problem? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-chrysler-voyager-transmission.html ------ Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
-------- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
-------- Chevrolet silverado has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
---------- 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71: Gear shift Issue? http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-z71-gear-shift.html ---------- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
-------- Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--------- Transmission-Hard To Down Shift http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/transmission-hard-to-down-shift.html --------- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------------ 2000 Nissan maxima shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html

-------
Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: Will not Shift out of Park Mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html

These details will help.

Thanks.

Definitely a trans problem

Seeing as how you have continued to
drive it, even 5 miles,when it wasn't working
correctly, as well as ignoring the fault code
light,I doubt that there will be a fix

Your most likely going to spend north of $3,000
for a reman trans

The air filter housing would have to be almost off
& you would have checked that before asking

If it were loose, it may upset the shift stratagy,as the
MAF Sensor may be part of that

But the slowing down,& slamming into different gears,
just one day of driving like that, you ruin the trans

BMW transmissions have not dipstick to oil level

if the transmission was low on fluid you may have worn some parts,take this to a shop that specializes in BMW transmissions,this is not for the local transmission guy,special tools needed to test the transmission,may have to be re-programed

Hello there

If you drive an automatic and it starts to judder at low speeds than that means you transmission isn't down shifting as the speed is reduced. In the first instance you should get your transmission oil changed.

Hope this helps and please don't forget to rate me.