CLK wouldn't shift out of 1st gear: Ideas?
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 93
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From: Washington, DC
2001 CLK 320
CLK wouldn't shift out of 1st gear: Ideas?
A strange occurence happened today and it is the 2nd time in 2 weeks that it has happened.
Turned on the car, backed out of parking spot, proceeded to drive and the car would not auto-shift out of 1st gear. The RPM just kept getting higher until I pulled the car over. Once I pulled the car over, (with the car on) I was unable to push the shift knob up to the (P)ark position. I had to shut off the car before the shift knob would move.
Once I restarted the car, it seemed to run without any problems.
Some other items of note while driving under these conditions:
-The digital display which typically shows "D" (or the gear # when in manual mode) was completley blank and did not show anyything.
-The car did not respond when I tried to use the "manual" gear shift (ie. tapping the stickshift from left to right).
-When I first turned the car on, it hesitated about 2 seconds longer than normal before the engine started. Just 2 moments of silence, then the engine fired up.
Any ideas?
Turned on the car, backed out of parking spot, proceeded to drive and the car would not auto-shift out of 1st gear. The RPM just kept getting higher until I pulled the car over. Once I pulled the car over, (with the car on) I was unable to push the shift knob up to the (P)ark position. I had to shut off the car before the shift knob would move.
Once I restarted the car, it seemed to run without any problems.
Some other items of note while driving under these conditions:
-The digital display which typically shows "D" (or the gear # when in manual mode) was completley blank and did not show anyything.
-The car did not respond when I tried to use the "manual" gear shift (ie. tapping the stickshift from left to right).
-When I first turned the car on, it hesitated about 2 seconds longer than normal before the engine started. Just 2 moments of silence, then the engine fired up.
Any ideas?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
Sounds like an electronics problem, maybe ECU or other onboard computer systems, any check engine lights? I would take it to the dealership and have them run diagnostics (sorry if the information seems a bit common sense-ish, but thats what i'd do anyways)
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 93
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From: Washington, DC
2001 CLK 320
Originally Posted by King320
Sounds like an electronics problem, maybe ECU or other onboard computer systems, any check engine lights?
I'll be taking it in soon to get more info-
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 104
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From: Pensacola, FL
1999 CLK 320
I am currently having the exact same problem with mine and I thought it was something in the tranny and was scared to death. I took it into the dealer and they said the gear switch assembly's electronics or parts or something were messed up. So, they have ordered some parts and will have to take the shifter assembly out and repair it. Will cost about $500. I will let you know if that fixes it or not.
Did you try putting the car into "W" mode? I am driving with mine that way until I get it fixed. This starts the car out in 2nd, bypassing 1st, and it doesn't seem to be a problem as 1st was the only gear that was having trouble. Hope this helps
Did you try putting the car into "W" mode? I am driving with mine that way until I get it fixed. This starts the car out in 2nd, bypassing 1st, and it doesn't seem to be a problem as 1st was the only gear that was having trouble. Hope this helps
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by cscordo
No messages or lights showed up when this happened- After further searching, it appears that this may have been some kind of "Limp" mode which takes effect when there is a perceived engine issue.
I'll be taking it in soon to get more info-
I'll be taking it in soon to get more info-
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Washington, DC
2001 CLK 320
Originally Posted by lz_clk
I am currently having the exact same problem with mine and I thought it was something in the tranny and was scared to death. I took it into the dealer and they said the gear switch assembly's electronics or parts or something were messed up. So, they have ordered some parts and will have to take the shifter assembly out and repair it. Will cost about $500. I will let you know if that fixes it or not.
Did you try putting the car into "W" mode? I am driving with mine that way until I get it fixed. This starts the car out in 2nd, bypassing 1st, and it doesn't seem to be a problem as 1st was the only gear that was having trouble. Hope this helps
Did you try putting the car into "W" mode? I am driving with mine that way until I get it fixed. This starts the car out in 2nd, bypassing 1st, and it doesn't seem to be a problem as 1st was the only gear that was having trouble. Hope this helps
The first time it happened, my GF was driving the car, and she mentioned putting it in "W" to bypass the problem. When it happened to me, it seemed to "reset" itself after turning the car off then on.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Washington, DC
2001 CLK 320
Originally Posted by King320
Sounds reasonable, like i said, with stuff this dangerous i would just take it in to the stealer and bite the bullet on the price it might take to fix
Right- I need to find time this week to take it in for B-Service. I'll have them check it out then.
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Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 104
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From: Pensacola, FL
1999 CLK 320
Originally Posted by cscordo
Does this happen to you every time you drive the car, or was it an isolated event?
The first time it happened, my GF was driving the car, and she mentioned putting it in "W" to bypass the problem. When it happened to me, it seemed to "reset" itself after turning the car off then on.
The first time it happened, my GF was driving the car, and she mentioned putting it in "W" to bypass the problem. When it happened to me, it seemed to "reset" itself after turning the car off then on.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 93
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From: Washington, DC
2001 CLK 320
Update: So I hooked up my ODBII Scanner to the car and out popped code P0705:Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction.
Of what I could find on it, this appears to be a faulty sensor which signals when to switch gears. If the car can't get a clean signal from it, it goes into fail mode to prevent any gear switching.
I'll know more after Thursday when I take the car in.
Hopefully that part is Starmarked...
Of what I could find on it, this appears to be a faulty sensor which signals when to switch gears. If the car can't get a clean signal from it, it goes into fail mode to prevent any gear switching.
I'll know more after Thursday when I take the car in.
Hopefully that part is Starmarked...
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 190
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From: BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
99 CLK 320, 2000 GSXR 750
Guys...if in doubt change the gear positioning sensor it is fairly cheap and might save your tranny....look at my thread. I am going to be out $4400 bucks. And get your tranny oil changed if you havent already
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Seattle
2001 CLK55
Originally Posted by lz_clk
I took it into the dealer and they said the gear switch assembly's electronics or parts or something were messed up.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 93
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From: Washington, DC
2001 CLK 320
Originally Posted by khansmith
I had a 2001 CLK and had this VERY SAME ISSUE as quoted above. Mine got water in the electronics and it freaked exactly as you describe. Seems to be a fault that is common on these cars. I had to flatbed the car to the dealer to get it fixed which they did in a day. Worked awesome after that.
Can you give an idea on the cost for the work? Thanks-
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 782
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From: Buffalo NY
3 Porsche rotation
My CLK55 had the same problem in April and it was determined the valve body was defective. It was repaired under the Starmark warranty and no problem with shifting since.
John
John
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 93
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From: Washington, DC
2001 CLK 320
I got the verdict last night on the gear shifting problem, and it makes sense considering the ODBII code I was getting on my reader.
The gear shift assembly is causing the problem and needs to be replaced. Apparently this happens frequently when liquid seeps through the gear shift console and can cause problems with the electrics underneath.
About a month ago some fool nearly rammed into me, and an entire water bottle spilled on the console, so it makes sense.
Called the dealer (as the diagnosis came from an indy Benz garage) and I was told it will be covered by StarMark. The indy Benz garage said the part was $300+ with *lots* of labor, coming to around $700, so I'm sure the dealer would double that.
We'll see what happens-
The gear shift assembly is causing the problem and needs to be replaced. Apparently this happens frequently when liquid seeps through the gear shift console and can cause problems with the electrics underneath.
About a month ago some fool nearly rammed into me, and an entire water bottle spilled on the console, so it makes sense.
Called the dealer (as the diagnosis came from an indy Benz garage) and I was told it will be covered by StarMark. The indy Benz garage said the part was $300+ with *lots* of labor, coming to around $700, so I'm sure the dealer would double that.
We'll see what happens-
