Ive got a 1997 bmw 5 speed clutch goes down and wont come back up car wont go into gear

I believe it's your clutch. If you can shift gears okay with the engine off, but you cannot shift gears with the engine running, (the gear shifter only grinds when trying to shift into first?) then your clutch has worn out.
To replace a clutch, the transaxle has to be first removed from the car. I'm afraid you will have to have it towed to a shop or garage.

you have a bought a car with a worn out clutch end of story ,so take gearbox out and then take old clutch in hand to auto factor so you get the right clutch first time then fit it and you will have a nice car ,the clutch is hard to push down because the diaphramn spring in the pressure plate is working overtime because the clutch disk is worn to excess .not too difficult on this rear wheel drive car though just dirty work

Good Evening, mostly your transmission is good. I would be questioning the the condition of your clutch disc, but first I would have to say clutch master and or slave cylinder. I have had a few run across the lot where the clutch master cylinder has leaked internally just up above your clutch pedal where the rod goes through the firewall. let me know what you find, and when was any clutch work done.

You replaced the actuator and motor ? That should have fixed the problem. It seems that the replacement of the actuator thermister is still not working properly. Some of the newer actuator switches are not very good. Get one for an older truck . it has been said they are better quality . But the newer ones sometimes don't work.

sure just make sure its not in gear, the clutch not being engaged will make sure the wheels spining wont o any damage, if you want to be extra careful keep the clutch pedal depressed with a piece of wood wedged up against the seat

ive heard people say that on a auto transmission on a BMW that if it wont go into reverse there might be something wrong with the transmission... just a thought, i might be wrong

If there is only one click when you go into first or reverse. Then look at the linkage on the clutch pedal. If you push the clutch pedal down and up (without putting it into gear) does it still make the click sound? Is the transmission going into gear normal? Is the throw-out bearing making any noise? A throw-out bearing can make a loud click noise.

I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but I too had this problem awhile back but with a Ford F-150, and my problem was my slave cylinder check your clutch fluid, If its low then its most likely your slave cylinder has went out

If the car is grinding when going into reverse, you need to have the clutch bled or repaired.

If it goes into reverse with out grinding, I am sorry to tell you your problem is internal to the gearbox. Bad or damaged Syncro

Good luck