Gear warning light and “limp mode”

[Aaronz4]

In my automatic, the gear cog warning light comes on and the car goes into limp mode after I’ve shifted from neutral to drive in a traffic jam. It’s really embarrassing when I can only pull away at 3mph! It corrects itself if I turn the engine off and on again. (Similar to my computer!) Is this an expensive fix do you know? Thanks.

 

[enuff_zed]

Yup, a lot of them do that. Can get around it by starting in 'N'. But ultimately it is a failing of the selector switch under the gearbox.
Tbh, I wouldn't bother selecting neutral unless you're sat for ages.

 

[Rockhopper]

Agreed with enuff, even your BMW owners manual say you should leave it in D all the time.

Your problem is the position switch on the side of the gearbox, mine cost about £300 to get changed i think it was.

 

[Aaronz4]

Thanks both, that’s good to know.