C240 Auto switches back to 'W' mode
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 30
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From: Chantilly
GLB35 AMG
C240 Auto switches back to 'W' mode
Just bought a brand new 2002 C240 auto tranny.
Why is it that even though I keep my transmission mode selected to 'S' standard mode that at night when starting the car, it automatically switch back to 'W' mode??? What's even wackier is that let's say I start the car and it's back in 'W' mode, if I turn my headlights on and off a couple of times, it flips it to 'S' mode??? What the heck is that all about??? My friend FUZZO (member of this site actually saw this happen!!!)
Yes folks I have RTFM and I saw nothing in the manual about this and no other threads. Does no else have this problem? Do I need to call the service department?
Why is it that even though I keep my transmission mode selected to 'S' standard mode that at night when starting the car, it automatically switch back to 'W' mode??? What's even wackier is that let's say I start the car and it's back in 'W' mode, if I turn my headlights on and off a couple of times, it flips it to 'S' mode??? What the heck is that all about??? My friend FUZZO (member of this site actually saw this happen!!!)
Yes folks I have RTFM and I saw nothing in the manual about this and no other threads. Does no else have this problem? Do I need to call the service department?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
Never heard of this problem before. Take it to your dealer. Sounds like you have got some electrical gizmos in the system.
Last edited by DtS; Jul 22, 2002 at 12:15 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
phantom electrical problems/glitches
Not normal, requires service, but I bet nothing will be replaced unless the mechanic or service writer sees the failure. I'm experiencing similar phantom/intermittent messages. Tel aid has malfunctioned? Yes I signed on for the service 1 1/2 years ago. The message just flashed while driving in the middle of the desert between LA and Phoenix. After a stop 100 miles later the message still showed. After the next restart it went away never to be seen again. The "backup stop light lamp is activated" message comes on quite a bit...at least twice a week. Goes away after several restarts and when I check the stoplamps closely the back up lamp is not activated.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 756
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From: Canada
I think you have a bad switch. Actually its more like a button.
If it is in W hit the W switch and it goes to S. If it is in S hit the S switch and it goes to W.
So in actual fact it is a button that operates the same in both directions. Strange design.
If it is in W hit the W switch and it goes to S. If it is in S hit the S switch and it goes to W.
So in actual fact it is a button that operates the same in both directions. Strange design.
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
Originally posted by Fuzzo
Is there any reason it should flip to Winter mode automatically???
Is there any reason it should flip to Winter mode automatically???
)
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From: Berkshire, UK
2004 SL55, 2015 A250d, 2016 GLC250d
[total guess]
Can the C class be told (by the instrument cluster for instance) that the car has winter tyres on it ? Maybee then it would switch to winter mode ??
[slightly more educated answer]
whenver you press a button in the car, a message is sent on the CAN bus saying things like "hey he selected reverse" - other control units pick this up and act appropriately.
The headlight switchy thing suggests to me that perhaps the gearbox controller is getting confused and thinking the button is being pressed [becase of some error on the CANbus]
- anyway. only the dealers star diagnosis will tell them the answer
Cheers
Richard
Can the C class be told (by the instrument cluster for instance) that the car has winter tyres on it ? Maybee then it would switch to winter mode ??
[slightly more educated answer]
whenver you press a button in the car, a message is sent on the CAN bus saying things like "hey he selected reverse" - other control units pick this up and act appropriately.
The headlight switchy thing suggests to me that perhaps the gearbox controller is getting confused and thinking the button is being pressed [becase of some error on the CANbus]
- anyway. only the dealers star diagnosis will tell them the answer
Cheers
Richard
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
Richard: The C-class has one speed-limiting option (meant to be used in combination with winter tires), that can be set through the MFD. However, this doesn't put the "W"-mode on by default.
I believe in your "slightly more educated answer"
I believe in your "slightly more educated answer"
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Honolulu
MB C320
Actually, I experienced a similar problem, thought it seems to have been fixed. When my wife drove the car, it sometimes came out with a number of malfunctions, including low brake fluid. After this happened I noticed it had switched to W mode automatically. It might all have had something to do with a check engine light that they finally, after many attempts, fixed. At least we haven't experienced it since.
So, they fixed that, but I still have a list of 5 problems with the car. Basically, every 2-3 weeks another thing breaks down in my car. Although my dealer does not have free car wash except after service, I visit the service department so often that I never have to wash the car myself. So there are advantages to having a faulty car
So, they fixed that, but I still have a list of 5 problems with the car. Basically, every 2-3 weeks another thing breaks down in my car. Although my dealer does not have free car wash except after service, I visit the service department so often that I never have to wash the car myself. So there are advantages to having a faulty car
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 30
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From: Chantilly
GLB35 AMG
C240 auto switch to 'W' mode...
Okay...Fuzzo and I figured out how to reproduce my issue with the 'S' mode switching to 'W' mode...When I'm in 'S' mode and need to turn on my headlights, then it'll switch to 'W' mode if I switch my lights off and then back on, it's back to 'S' mode, lights back off and on again, 'W' mode...and so on. So it has to do with my light switch somehow I think that Richard might be onto something with the whole electrical problem..something's definitely confused!?!? I guess I should call my service advisor.
I think that Richard might be onto something with the whole electrical problem..something's definitely confused!?!? I guess I should call my service advisor.
