1985 190e 2.3 shift lever vibration
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Venezuela, US Embassy
2003 E320, 1985 190e 2.3, 2007 E320
1985 190e 2.3 shift lever vibration
I recently purchased a barn find 1985 190e with 146k km. Car is 100% perfect. However, I feel I may be at fault with the following problem. On a 10 to 12 degree decline (car facing downward) I placed the car in park without the emergency brake engaged, simply slipped my mind, putting all the pressure on the shift pin (i guess). When leaving I placed the car in drive (foot on brake) and a loud noise came from below the shift lever, like a snap or pop. After advancing just a few meters the shift lever (inside the cabin) began vibrating violently and making a metal on metal noise, a grating sound. In my non-mechanic mind I believe I may have broken something in the shift mechanism when switching from park to drive but have no idea what it could be. I am in Venezuela and Mercedes mechanics are few and far between so I pose the question to the experts on this forum, what did I break? It feels as if the lever is not aligning properly with the gear selector, making it bump and grind. Any help would be appreciated!
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
I know very little about auto transmission W201's as I have a manual transl. One thing I do know is that the lever that goes into the transmission is very much exposed.
So I would start with putting the car on a lift to see if there are obvious signs of damage to the lever mechanism which might have been worsened by the episode.
An ordinary transmission repair mechanic should be able to at least diagnose the problem if you can not find a Mercedes specialist.
It does sound like the mechanism that engages the "park" may have been damaged. That would not be good news.
The traffic on the W201 forum is very light, you may want to post this on the W124 forum. The 86-93 W124 models at least share the same transmission.
So I would start with putting the car on a lift to see if there are obvious signs of damage to the lever mechanism which might have been worsened by the episode.
An ordinary transmission repair mechanic should be able to at least diagnose the problem if you can not find a Mercedes specialist.
It does sound like the mechanism that engages the "park" may have been damaged. That would not be good news.
The traffic on the W201 forum is very light, you may want to post this on the W124 forum. The 86-93 W124 models at least share the same transmission.
