Auto transmission question

[Baphomet]

2010 RS SE5 (semi-automatic) with 2500 miles on the clock. Yesterday went to sister's house and parked in driveway, slightly inclined driveway. This was the destination after traveling 60 miles at 70 MPH.

After about a 3 hour visit, go out and get on RS and start her up. Gear shifter was unresponsive. Transmission was in first gear, but would not respond to shifter in either direction. Check engine light was on and message "CHECK TRANSMISSION" scrolling across display.

Turned off machine, got off and rolled it out of driveway where the street was level. Got back on and started it. No message, no check engine light, and rode the 60 miles back home with no issue. Did some more neighborhood riding with lots of shifting and still the problem did not reoccur.

Now I know there are big differences between semi-automatic and automatic transmissions. I know a little about automatics, and virtually nothing about semi-automatics. So I am hoping that someone here can tell me if that message was related to me being parked on a slight (maybe 20 degree) incline for so long? Perhaps fluid levels had something to do with it? Is this something I really need to be concerned with since it only happened once? I used the dealer for regular service in the past, but I service my own motorcycles and am planning on servicing my RS as well as soon as I do some reading and research on it.

At some point I will drop the RS off at the dealership and have them look at it, but I want to have a good idea of what might be going on first and if it is something I can deal with myself I would rather do that because for me the logistics of getting it to the dealership will be a hassle.

 

[Campverdefela]

I don't think its anything to be concerned with. If you leave it parked in first of reverse then to start you have to have your right foot on the brake but sometimes mines a little finicky and may require you to remove the key and step away from it for a minute or so. Try to always park it in neutral and you should not have a problem....

 

[Neez]

Bahomet, this has happened the odd time to me, as well. The trans can be shifted manually into neutral, or any gear using a 13mm wrench on the linkage flats, which are found on the left side, just ahead of the peg. It's in the owners manual under " Road Side Repairs". Only takes a minute.

 

[Baphomet]

Thanks guys. I looked in the manual and then checked it out on the Spyder and see exactly what you are talking about. Very good to know. It never even occurred to me to manually shift it into neutral. The suggestion to always park it in neutral will be heeded as well. Thanks again, appreciate the info and feedback.

 

[Raptor]

I don't think its anything to be concerned with. If you leave it parked in first of reverse then to start you have to have your right foot on the brake but sometimes mines a little finicky and may require you to remove the key and step away from it for a minute or so. Try to always park it in neutral and you should not have a problem....

:agree: In theory it should not be a problem to shut the engine down in first gear as the tranny is designed to automatically go to "N" on startup. But our RSS also gets "iffy" when the engine is shut down while in gear. I have found that I have to kind of hit the brake pedal a little harder than usual to activate all the switches that need to be activated. Almost had to manually change to nuetral once, but it started after that "one last try" of taking the key out of the ignition, walking away and trying again. SE5's are a little eccentric that way...

 

[Wright2743]

Had that happen to me also,Remove & Reinsert key that did the trick.