No reverse or 2nd gear
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
From: York. England.
W204 2.1D
No reverse or 2nd gear
Hi everyone.
Just joined the forum and need some advice please.
my 2011 W204 6 speed manual transmission suddenly developed a problem this morning.
I selected reverse ok and backed up. After that, it no longer selects reverse or 2nd gear. Very annoying.
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks.
Pete.
Just joined the forum and need some advice please.
my 2011 W204 6 speed manual transmission suddenly developed a problem this morning.
I selected reverse ok and backed up. After that, it no longer selects reverse or 2nd gear. Very annoying.
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks.
Pete.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 378
Likes: 145
From: Canada
2022 EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan, 2010 C-Class C350 4MATIC
You were obviously going too fast, too furiously.
j/k
If it worked then suddenly stopped, I’m wondering if the linkage broke? Does the shifter go into reverse the entire way but just doesn’t engage? Is the shift lock for reverse still working correctly?
Do you have a decent scanner that will bring up transmission codes?
Also, have you checked the fluid level lately? Should be easy on a manual transmission.
j/k
If it worked then suddenly stopped, I’m wondering if the linkage broke? Does the shifter go into reverse the entire way but just doesn’t engage? Is the shift lock for reverse still working correctly?
Do you have a decent scanner that will bring up transmission codes?
Also, have you checked the fluid level lately? Should be easy on a manual transmission.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
From: York. England.
W204 2.1D
Yeah... The stick no longer moves over to the reverse lock position and wont select 2nd even with the engine off.
1st selection is ok but not as good as I remember it. (wife's car) Other gears select ok. No weird noises, No leaks, so no reason to suspect an oil issue. It all worked just peachy yesterday!
I think it's unlikely to be a gearbox problem by the feel of it.
I strongly suspect its a linkage issue and hope to it get up on a ramp next week. (too cold and wet outside now for a kerbside job). There's probably a plastic part that has broken up and jammed.
Does anyone know if these linkage mech's are a serviceable item, or is it best to just get a 2nd hand mech and swap it out?
Regards,
1st selection is ok but not as good as I remember it. (wife's car) Other gears select ok. No weird noises, No leaks, so no reason to suspect an oil issue. It all worked just peachy yesterday!
I think it's unlikely to be a gearbox problem by the feel of it.
I strongly suspect its a linkage issue and hope to it get up on a ramp next week. (too cold and wet outside now for a kerbside job). There's probably a plastic part that has broken up and jammed.
Does anyone know if these linkage mech's are a serviceable item, or is it best to just get a 2nd hand mech and swap it out?
Regards,
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
From: York. England.
W204 2.1D
I've learned that there are a variety of different part numbers for these 6 speed 204 gear shift mech's and negligible info indicating they have any weaknesses. Apparently though, it's important to replace with the exact part number.
I managed to squeeze the right part number from my local dealership and bought a second had one on-line for £75.00. Less painful than the £450+ for a new one.
Hopefully it will all be done by next week.
I managed to squeeze the right part number from my local dealership and bought a second had one on-line for £75.00. Less painful than the £450+ for a new one.
Hopefully it will all be done by next week.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
From: York. England.
W204 2.1D
Well it took me a month to get it sorted but sorted it is now.
Had to send the car to a gearbox specialist in west Yorkshire to have it done.
Basically, there is a spring that breaks on the selector mechanism inside the gearbox.
Mercedes apparently supply a kit of selector parts to fix this known reverse select issue that is getting more common now that a lot of these cars have seen over 150k miles.
Back pocket is now £800 lighter.
Had to send the car to a gearbox specialist in west Yorkshire to have it done.
Basically, there is a spring that breaks on the selector mechanism inside the gearbox.
Mercedes apparently supply a kit of selector parts to fix this known reverse select issue that is getting more common now that a lot of these cars have seen over 150k miles.
Back pocket is now £800 lighter.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
From: York. England.
W204 2.1D
It's been perfect since it was done.
Pete.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C220 cdi
Sorry. I dont know what the part numbers are. All I remember the the gearbox specialists saying is that it needed a spring that had broken internally within the gearbox. Apparently, it's a known issue and merc supply a selector kit with the new spring to fix it.
It's been perfect since it was done.
Pete.
It's been perfect since it was done.
Pete.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
mercedes 220d
Well it took me a month to get it sorted but sorted it is now.
Had to send the car to a gearbox specialist in west Yorkshire to have it done.
Basically, there is a spring that breaks on the selector mechanism inside the gearbox.
Mercedes apparently supply a kit of selector parts to fix this known reverse select issue that is getting more common now that a lot of these cars have seen over 150k miles.
Back pocket is now £800 lighter.
Had to send the car to a gearbox specialist in west Yorkshire to have it done.
Basically, there is a spring that breaks on the selector mechanism inside the gearbox.
Mercedes apparently supply a kit of selector parts to fix this known reverse select issue that is getting more common now that a lot of these cars have seen over 150k miles.
Back pocket is now £800 lighter.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
From: York. England.
W204 2.1D
It was nearly 4 years ago now so i dont actually remember the name of the garage or the street it was on but it was a known specialist on the outskirts of Huddersfield. They did a good job though cos that car is still on the road.
Maybe a bit of googling around for gearbox repair specialists in the huddersfield area may answer your question?
Sorry i cant be of further help. Good luck to you.
Maybe a bit of googling around for gearbox repair specialists in the huddersfield area may answer your question?
Sorry i cant be of further help. Good luck to you.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,495
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Please translate "gearbox" for us on the western Atlantic. Is that the same as transmission over here, or is it in the gear shifter assembly? There's not many manual transmission Mercedes here.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
From: York. England.
W204 2.1D
Its a "gearbox" on my side of the pond and "Transmission" on your side........ Gear stick mech over here and shifter mech over there.
Last edited by Fast n Furious; Nov 16, 2023 at 09:19 AM.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,495
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
