E50 520D Automatic Gearstick Query

talla

Since yesterday I've noticed that when I turn on the engine, as usual the "P" indictor will light up on the gear stick to indicate that the car is in park.
When I switch to reverse, the "R" indicator will light up on the gear stick to obviously to indicate the car is in reverse gear.
However when I change to drive, the "D" lights up for a split second on the gear stick but then goes off immediately. If i change back to Neutral, Reverse or even park, these indicators also fail to light up until I switch off the engine and re-start (however as soon as I switch to drive, all indicators fail to display on the gear stick).

Status indicator on the console behind the steering wheel shows the correct gear status at all times - D,R,N,P.

Anything to be worried about?

talla

Sorry thread title should obviously have been E60.
Its a 2009 model if thats makes any difference.

Victor Meldrew

I presume this has the lights on the gear shifter, which is "brushed aluminium and black"? I think I've seen this on one I test-drove played with a while back.

I'd imagine this is a non-issue and once the dash display is OK, and the car behaves normally (shifts normally) then don't worry.

biko

Possibly wiring in the stick is getting worn or loose. Shouldn't be too difficult to open up to have a look and fix.