06 ML350 transmission won't engage
07-10-2016, 01:25 PM
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06 ML350 transmission won't engage
I have an 06 ML350, about 120k miles on it and the thing won't engage drive or reverse anyone had a similar issue? And I don't think I'm in limp mode.
So my experience started off pretty much like this, car drove fine all day. Stopped for a cup of coffee, left, and drove fine for a few lights. I get stopped at a light and next thing I know the car felt like it was trying to accelerate at a high gear. So I played with the gear selector and dropped it to 1st gear, and I managed to get to the next light, this time it took off in 1st or 2nd gear and it's stuck in low gear and it wouldn't shift. Before I get to the next light the engine cuts off and I'm coasting to the side of the road.
The car restarts fine with no CEL. However, the car wouldn't engage drive or reverse. I hear the shift motor working when I run my level from park to reverse to drive. So I don't think that's the issue. I had it towed home and reved the car a bit fiddling with it until I got a CEL. However the only error I got was the crankshaft position sensor code and an incorrect gear ratio code. I reset, the code and the CSPS stayed off, and I couldn't replicate the incorrect gear ratio, it comes up as pending and it takes a while for it to come up.
I've done some quick search and I'm having trouble finding threads with similar issues since everyone's description is a bit different or wording is a bit different. The only thing I could find was a faulty valve body or conductor plate failed.
I haven't had any work done to the transmission for probably 50-60k miles and I was planning on doing a flush soon or eventually this year...so I don't think it's a fluid level issue unless my tranny is burning oil.
Hoping to figure out a plausible issue before I tow it anywhere and to prepare my wallet, because if this sounds like a blown tranny, then I might reconsider towing it and just parting the thing out, which is unfortunate because I pretty much replaced most of the external components in the engine bay over the last 20k miles.
So my experience started off pretty much like this, car drove fine all day. Stopped for a cup of coffee, left, and drove fine for a few lights. I get stopped at a light and next thing I know the car felt like it was trying to accelerate at a high gear. So I played with the gear selector and dropped it to 1st gear, and I managed to get to the next light, this time it took off in 1st or 2nd gear and it's stuck in low gear and it wouldn't shift. Before I get to the next light the engine cuts off and I'm coasting to the side of the road.
The car restarts fine with no CEL. However, the car wouldn't engage drive or reverse. I hear the shift motor working when I run my level from park to reverse to drive. So I don't think that's the issue. I had it towed home and reved the car a bit fiddling with it until I got a CEL. However the only error I got was the crankshaft position sensor code and an incorrect gear ratio code. I reset, the code and the CSPS stayed off, and I couldn't replicate the incorrect gear ratio, it comes up as pending and it takes a while for it to come up.
I've done some quick search and I'm having trouble finding threads with similar issues since everyone's description is a bit different or wording is a bit different. The only thing I could find was a faulty valve body or conductor plate failed.
I haven't had any work done to the transmission for probably 50-60k miles and I was planning on doing a flush soon or eventually this year...so I don't think it's a fluid level issue unless my tranny is burning oil.
Hoping to figure out a plausible issue before I tow it anywhere and to prepare my wallet, because if this sounds like a blown tranny, then I might reconsider towing it and just parting the thing out, which is unfortunate because I pretty much replaced most of the external components in the engine bay over the last 20k miles.
Last edited by whatusername; 07-10-2016 at 01:29 PM.
07-10-2016, 02:55 PM
#2
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You probably have one of the "sealed for life" transmissions. Do you have the transmission dipstick "tool" if not, you may want to invest in one. You can check if there is any fluid in the tranny at all and if there is what condition (i.e. burnt, or loaded with shavings) it is in. From what you find out there you can make a decision whether to fix or part out.
07-10-2016, 07:33 PM
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You probably have one of the "sealed for life" transmissions. Do you have the transmission dipstick "tool" if not, you may want to invest in one. You can check if there is any fluid in the tranny at all and if there is what condition (i.e. burnt, or loaded with shavings) it is in. From what you find out there you can make a decision whether to fix or part out.
07-18-2016, 02:31 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Early 722.9 have notorious issues with the conductor plate.
There's even a class action going on about it, since Mercedes wouldn't sell the damn things to mere mortals hoarding them for themselves.
If you are having an issue with a Crankshaft position sensor, that might be enough to put the car in limp mode perhaps? Maybe start with that....obviously there's an engine problem AND maybe something with the trans? You could likely change the CPS yourself and for not much coin.
But in the end, you really need an SDS printout to make any expensive decisions.
Get it towed to a shop and get the codes read OR locate someone to read the codes for you. I recently found a guy who rents his in the bay area.
There's even a class action going on about it, since Mercedes wouldn't sell the damn things to mere mortals hoarding them for themselves.
If you are having an issue with a Crankshaft position sensor, that might be enough to put the car in limp mode perhaps? Maybe start with that....obviously there's an engine problem AND maybe something with the trans? You could likely change the CPS yourself and for not much coin.
But in the end, you really need an SDS printout to make any expensive decisions.
Get it towed to a shop and get the codes read OR locate someone to read the codes for you. I recently found a guy who rents his in the bay area.
