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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 08:35   #2
john.wigley
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Last Online: Yesterday 22:47
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Leicestershire
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Nothing wrong with your English, 'mappsi30'!

It's a long time since I had any dealings with the 3 Series cars, but your problem is almost certainly associated with the drive belt(s). One or both could possibly be broken, or more likely - from the 'scratching sound' - out of adjustment. Contamination with oil is also a possibility, but that and going out of adjustment are more usually gradual failures, whereas breakage will result in a sudden one.

Alternatively, the selector rod may have become disconnected or there may be a fault with the selector mechanism.

I've just had a quick look in my Haynes workshop manual for you and this pretty much confirms the above. Let's hope it is just a simple fix!

Regards, John.
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