Cruise Control died and car went into safety mode ...I think
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
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From: Ireland
Clk 230 k
Cruise Control died and car went into safety mode ...I think
HI I was driving home this evening in my Clk 230 K w208 on cruise control on the motoer way when all of a sudden I had a lost of power and the car went from 765 mph down to 40 mph and the reves wold not go beyond 1500 rmkp and the car wold not go past 39 mph , It was as if the car went into limp home mode . When I got home I turned off the engine and promtly turned the engine back on and the car worked perfectly well , can any one tell is this a common fault or what happened to make this happen and what should I be looking for .Thank you Austin
Last edited by sport7; Jun 14, 2018 at 06:58 PM. Reason: mis spelling in title
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 209
From: Boston North Shore
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
Austin..... if your transmission is stuck in limp mode, DON’T PANIC. The majority of the time, the problem is not as grave as you may think.
Mercedes-Benz transmissions are very solid, and whole transmission replacement is very rarely needed. The 5-speed transmission that was used between 1995 up to 2008 is one of the best transmission ever built.
What may have occurred, is that a CANBus electrical signal, from the numerous sensor inputs and/or actualization's, just hiccuped.
When this happens, by design, to prevent potential damage to the transmission, a MB will only operate in second gear and reverse.
As you discovered, you can reboot the CANBus controllers as follows.
However, if the problem should continue to persist, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored and your transmission will permanently only operate in 2nd and reverse gear, which will require further diagnosis and repair.
Mercedes-Benz transmissions are very solid, and whole transmission replacement is very rarely needed. The 5-speed transmission that was used between 1995 up to 2008 is one of the best transmission ever built.
What may have occurred, is that a CANBus electrical signal, from the numerous sensor inputs and/or actualization's, just hiccuped.
When this happens, by design, to prevent potential damage to the transmission, a MB will only operate in second gear and reverse.
As you discovered, you can reboot the CANBus controllers as follows.
- Pull over and turn the car off. Remove the key.
- Do not press the gas pedal or any other buttons on the car.
- Wait 20 seconds.
- Start the car and drive to see if it is out of limp mode.
However, if the problem should continue to persist, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored and your transmission will permanently only operate in 2nd and reverse gear, which will require further diagnosis and repair.
Last edited by Serndipity; Jun 16, 2018 at 08:16 PM.
