C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

2004 C320 Shifts Into Neutral While Driving

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 03-09-2006, 10:20 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
djetibenzdierjew129's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2004 C320 Shifts Into Neutral While Driving

I just started having this problem. My 2004 C320 automatic (28k miles) goes into neutral while driving on the highway and will not go back into gear. This has happened a few times. Once I managed to get it back while rolling. Other times I had to pull over and start fro park and re-selecting drive.

Any info on this would be a big help.

Thanks
Curtis
Old 03-09-2006, 10:21 PM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
tifosiv122's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,359
Received 13 Likes on 9 Posts
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
Does the shifter actually move on it's own or does the display just show it's in neutral?

Erik
Old 03-09-2006, 10:26 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
djetibenzdierjew129's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Neutral Problem

It shows that it is in "D".

I've had a few cold shifting problems too, Like being in drive and having the engine free spin and then engage. This type of thing usually happening when the car is cold or the first ten miles from a cold start.
Old 03-09-2006, 10:31 PM
  #4  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
tifosiv122's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,359
Received 13 Likes on 9 Posts
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
Originally Posted by FirstBenz
It shows that it is in "D".

I've had a few cold shifting problems too, Like being in drive and having the engine free spin and then engage. This type of thing usually happening when the car is cold or the first ten miles from a cold start.
So the shifter is in D, the display shows D, but the engine revs and the car sits still?

When this happens, have you tried manually changing the gears?

Erik
Old 03-09-2006, 10:32 PM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
advans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
a few of us already been thru this problem I was one of the unlucky.
I'd bring the car right back to the dealers..., your car shifts to neutral, my car shut off on me
Old 03-09-2006, 10:41 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
djetibenzdierjew129's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Neutral Problem

Well, to be honest, I'm not sure about the instrument indication. The shift selector was deffinately in the right place. The first time it happened, I was going 75 in a 5 lane with no breakdown lane. I tried shifting + - several times and tried going to neutral and back as well. Nothing would get to engage again.

Fortunately I found a construction entrance in the Jersey barriers and got off the road. After stopping, I went to park and back to drive. That was all it took to get it going again. If anyone knows the northbound split of 195 of 95, this is a really bad place.

The next time it happened was similar but I got it back while still rolling. Both times the engine was totaly in neutral.

Curtis
Old 03-09-2006, 10:44 PM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
tifosiv122's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,359
Received 13 Likes on 9 Posts
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
Originally Posted by FirstBenz
Fortunately I found a construction entrance in the Jersey barriers and got off the road. After stopping, I went to park and back to drive. That was all it took to get it going again. If anyone knows the northbound split of 195 of 95, this is a really bad place.
I would def. bring it to the dealership, and I know exactly where you got stuck, not the best place.

Erik
Old 03-09-2006, 10:50 PM
  #8  
Almost a Member!
 
jrustrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Singapore
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
MY04 C200K 5AT
I've had this problem with my C200K in Singapore. Whilst driving round a roundabout, the car just went into neutral (revs just picked up.. but no drive).... +/- on the shifter didn't work either. Finally kicked the stick into neutral and then back into drive... with a bit of a jerk, it went back into gear and continued normal operation.

Only happened the one time. When I went back to the dealer to check it, they noticed that the gearbox drainplug was leaking - and they put it down to low (but not critically low) lubricant levels in the gearbox. I can understand low lubrication levels causing jerky shifting.. but for the thing to kick into neutral?

Never had the problem since!

On a side note: does a warning come up in the central display if your lubrication level drops too low? I know the engine oil is checked on each start. windshield washer fluid level also checked? What other fluid levels?
Old 03-09-2006, 10:51 PM
  #9  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
djetibenzdierjew129's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Neutral Problem

It's at the dealer now. They gave me a c230 coupe for a loaner. Huge difference from the c320 sport.

I'd really like to find out if there is any history of problems like this.
Old 03-09-2006, 10:54 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
djetibenzdierjew129's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Neutral Problem

Yes, I did have a "Check Engine" light come on. Strangely, there were no malfunctions noted on that page.
Old 12-02-2011, 10:58 AM
  #11  
Newbie
 
Bigmankoboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
E320
What was the solution to the neutral problem. I am having the same issue

Originally Posted by FirstBenz
It's at the dealer now. They gave me a c230 coupe for a loaner. Huge difference from the c320 sport.

I'd really like to find out if there is any history of problems like this.
I am having the same issue. What was your diagnosis and solution?Thanks.
Old 12-02-2011, 11:52 AM
  #12  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
LILBENZ230's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Received 794 Likes on 597 Posts
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
It is unlikely that you will get a response from the OP.. this thread is nearly 6 years old. Props for searching though.

Step 1 - check fluid level.
Old 12-02-2011, 07:23 PM
  #13  
Super Moderator

 
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 19,941
Received 175 Likes on 142 Posts
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Indeed. Loss of drive is usually one of two issues. Low fluid level or clogged transmission filter.

Or one of the limp modes being triggered by a malfunction in which case codes will be stored.

Once sorted ensure the transmission is serviced every 39K miles.
Old 12-02-2011, 08:32 PM
  #14  
Newbie
 
Bigmankoboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
E320
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
Indeed. Loss of drive is usually one of two issues. Low fluid level or clogged transmission filter.

Or one of the limp modes being triggered by a malfunction in which case codes will be stored.

Once sorted ensure the transmission is serviced every 39K miles.
here are the codes that the mechanic had on his monitor the last time i was at the garage.ANY suggestions?



https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&i...disp=inline&zw

Last edited by Bigmankoboy; 12-02-2011 at 09:14 PM.
Old 12-03-2011, 06:25 AM
  #15  
Super Moderator

 
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 19,941
Received 175 Likes on 142 Posts
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Please post codes. I don't want to create a G Mail account.
Old 10-28-2014, 05:24 PM
  #16  
Junior Member
 
cobrab19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 68
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2003 clk 55
Probably the conductor plate

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: 2004 C320 Shifts Into Neutral While Driving



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:13 PM.