crunchy shifter

[M3Nick]

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone knows how to take apart the shifting assembly in an automatic M3. Recently my car developed a "crunchy shift" problem. Every time I move the knob up and down (not happening when the shifter moves left to right), it makes a sound like someone poured captain crunch into the shifting assembly, and its really annoying since I like to drive in the tiptronic mode.

There is a rectangular little clip on the bottom right hand side of the assembly, so I took that off, but it looks like its a hole into nothing - with a light, I couldn't see any screw or anything else that might be of use.

Has anyone taken this apart before?

[M3Nick]

anyone?

[whiteomega]

check out rsquared's guide on how to install the ipod adapter:

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=11997

it has instructions for disassembling the center console, which exposes some of the shifter assembly. past that, i have no idea. the last thing you want to do though is go messing around with any electronics in the shifter. you could probably remove the assembly from the car, and them pop the box open to see what's what.

just be warned: sometimes these things aren't meant to be opened up by anyone but the dealership, and if you can't solve the problem, and you can't get it back together properly again, the dealership will probably balk at doing warranty work.