E28: Tranny switch

[BMW535i88@xxxxxxx]

Suddenly, my automatic '88 535i won't shift from 1st to higher gears, unless 
I change the shift knob from the "E" position to the "1-2-3" position.  (The 
first Tiptronic?)  Anyone experience this before?  

Also, I'd like to buy a used blower motor, since a new one is a steep $250.  
If I do find one at a junk yard, is there a way to tell if its still in good 
mechanical shape?

Best regards,
Jonathan

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