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

Does the shifter actually move on it's own or does the display just show it's in neutral?

Erik

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

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

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

I would def. bring it to the dealership, and I know exactly where you got stuck, not the best place.

Erik

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?

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.

Yes, I did have a "Check Engine" light come on. Strangely, there were no malfunctions noted on that page.

I am having the same issue. What was your diagnosis and solution?Thanks.

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.

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

Please post codes. I don't want to create a G Mail account.

Probably the conductor plate