2013 C300 not engaging. Please help
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
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C300
2013 C300 not engaging. Please help
Hello everyone, I just got a 2013 C300 with 110k miles. I love the car I've just had it for a few days. Once in a while, I will shift into reverse or drive and the car will not engage. I have to restart the engine for it to engage a gear. For example, you have been driving and you want to reverse into a spot, you move it lever into reverse but the car doesn't move, you move it back into Drive and it doesn't move. Have to restart the engine and then it will reverse or go into gear. Has anybody had this problem, I don't think it's the transmission because it shifts correctly on the highway.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 63
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2017 C250 W205
Does the car have a continous service history?
Has the transmission fluid ever ben changed? One reason might be that the transmission fluid level ist too low.
I'd recommend for you to have the issue checked by a good workshop soonest possible to avoid any further aggravation of this problem.
Has the transmission fluid ever ben changed? One reason might be that the transmission fluid level ist too low.
I'd recommend for you to have the issue checked by a good workshop soonest possible to avoid any further aggravation of this problem.
Last edited by Joe1959; Sep 25, 2018 at 07:04 AM. Reason: Typo
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
Likes: 152
2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
Strangely enough, this happened to me once when I was doing a "throttle reset"
1. Put the key in the ignition
2. Turn the key to the 'ON' position with the warning lights showing on the dash.
3. Press the accelerator or gas pedal as hard as possible for at least 15 seconds.
4. Keep foot on accelerator & turn the key back to the off position but don't remove the key.
5. Take foot off accelerator and do not do anything for 2-3 minutes. Do not even operate radio or open doors.
^After this procedure, the car didnt want to get into any gear unless I restarted it and waited a little longer. This happened twice when I reset the throttle/transmission and must have no waited long enough. Give this a shot, might just be a glitch.
1. Put the key in the ignition
2. Turn the key to the 'ON' position with the warning lights showing on the dash.
3. Press the accelerator or gas pedal as hard as possible for at least 15 seconds.
4. Keep foot on accelerator & turn the key back to the off position but don't remove the key.
5. Take foot off accelerator and do not do anything for 2-3 minutes. Do not even operate radio or open doors.
^After this procedure, the car didnt want to get into any gear unless I restarted it and waited a little longer. This happened twice when I reset the throttle/transmission and must have no waited long enough. Give this a shot, might just be a glitch.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
C300
Strangely enough, this happened to me once when I was doing a "throttle reset"
1. Put the key in the ignition
2. Turn the key to the 'ON' position with the warning lights showing on the dash.
3. Press the accelerator or gas pedal as hard as possible for at least 15 seconds.
4. Keep foot on accelerator & turn the key back to the off position but don't remove the key.
5. Take foot off accelerator and do not do anything for 2-3 minutes. Do not even operate radio or open doors.
^After this procedure, the car didnt want to get into any gear unless I restarted it and waited a little longer. This happened twice when I reset the throttle/transmission and must have no waited long enough. Give this a shot, might just be a glitch.
1. Put the key in the ignition
2. Turn the key to the 'ON' position with the warning lights showing on the dash.
3. Press the accelerator or gas pedal as hard as possible for at least 15 seconds.
4. Keep foot on accelerator & turn the key back to the off position but don't remove the key.
5. Take foot off accelerator and do not do anything for 2-3 minutes. Do not even operate radio or open doors.
^After this procedure, the car didnt want to get into any gear unless I restarted it and waited a little longer. This happened twice when I reset the throttle/transmission and must have no waited long enough. Give this a shot, might just be a glitch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 522
2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
I suspect an electronic issue since it resumes normal function after you turn off the engine, then restart (i.e. a reboot of the electronics). A shop equipped with MBZ's diagnostic computer can probably help you run it down, with any luck a software update may be all you need to clear it up.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
C300
I suspect an electronic issue since it resumes normal function after you turn off the engine, then restart (i.e. a reboot of the electronics). A shop equipped with MBZ's diagnostic computer can probably help you run it down, with any luck a software update may be all you need to clear it up.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
I honestly think its the shifter, because the -/+ doesn't work when i move it side to side and it doesn't light up correctly, for example, you have the car in drive but on the shifter, it says you're in N but on the dash, it says it's in D. Is there a DIY to remove the shifter assembly and replace it?
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
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C300
Sorry for the late reply, but yeah the shiftier feel mechanically good. Parking engages and everything. I haven't check it for codes because everyone wants to charge for it, but I'm pretty sure it just the electronic. I've been driving it for over a month and got the hang of it. Just got to treat her with respect lol
