BMW E36 Forum

I have a 1997 316i, whenever i set off in first gear or pulling away quickly like at roundabouts my car jumps(kangaroos), and quickly have to change into second to stop this. Obviously this dangerous espesially when pulling out at junctions.
Can anyone help.

hello there mate my mate standing next to me seems to think that there might be a problem with the gear box,

or could even be a signe of the clutch on its way out

Does the clutch slip at all in any other gear?
If not then id say youv more than likely knackered the 1st gear cog in the gearbox.

that sounds quite promising .

thats what i was trying to explain.

Clutch doesnt slip. If it is a cog would that be a expensive job?
A mate also mentioned that it could be something to do with the air control unit.

Auto or manual? Yea a cog would be expensive, would be a better option to buy a 2nd hand box from a refurb company.
Never heard of an air control unit on a gearbox. There is an electronic control unit on some autoboxes.

coul the mass air flow sensor have anything to do with this. i know its a long shot but i was thinking "out side of the box" HAHAHA if its nothing to do with the MAF i promise never to think out side of the box ever again

lol

regards owen

No no you stay out of that box!!! That box is a nasty place
It could be possible, if you take your foot of the accelerator when moving does the car jump at all?

Only jumps when setting off in first. Doesnt jump at all when i lift off

Cant imagine it would be the MAF then, that would do it through all gears!
Id be more inclined to say its the box thats at fault if it only happens when moving off in 1st. Its very hard to diagnose a problem over the internet so i cant be certain.
Throw a video up on youtube of you moving off with the camera on the instrument cluster and no music in the car. Then a 2nd video of someone outside the car filming you moving off and put a link to it here. I cant guarantee a conclusion to your problem but a video would be very helpful.