Gearshift, parktronic troubles
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
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From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
Gearshift, parktronic troubles
'05 CLK 500 with two possibly related problems. The first is the gearshift lever, which sometimes won't shift from N to R, and usually won't shift up or down manually while underway. The lever feels as if it's hit a lock, not all the time but some of the time, that prevents it moving from N to R. If I shut the engine off it moves into park easily, and usually it does the same if I lift my foot from the brake. The lever won't change gears manually, though it does move normally. The gearbox and the shift buttons on the back of the steering wheel work normally.
The second problem is parktronic, whose display lights up for a couple of seconds on every start and then, usually, goes out for the duration of the trip. I have pulled and re-inserted the bottom three fuses in the rear fusebox.
Any ideas? Thanks.
The second problem is parktronic, whose display lights up for a couple of seconds on every start and then, usually, goes out for the duration of the trip. I have pulled and re-inserted the bottom three fuses in the rear fusebox.
Any ideas? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
Likes: 1
From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
The two problems seem to be related. Either the park distance display and the manual up/down shift using the gear lever both work, or neither works. How might these tow be connected? I have no other problems.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
Likes: 1
From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
Thanks. The on-again, off-again nature of the fault does behave like a poor connection. I looked under the console cover. The connectors were all tight and the wires tight in the connectors. I didn't see anything pinched or frayed. The problem is still there. I guess I'll take it to the dealer but I won't be in a hurry to do so.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
Likes: 1
From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
I got annoyed enough to take the car in for dealer diagnosis. With a half-hour's work I was told the problem was a short in the position indicator in the floor shift assembly. I asked the tech why he thought it was the part and not the harness or connector. The answer involved "too many communication problems with the CAN" and "I've seen this before".
This is a $1K part in Canada (203 267 9124). I'll look around to see if I can get one for less.
This is a $1K part in Canada (203 267 9124). I'll look around to see if I can get one for less.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
Likes: 1
From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
The code for this problem is P1856 'Selector lever position detection has failed'. Replacing the floor shift assembly has cleared the issue.
Last edited by lars; Jan 7, 2016 at 08:39 PM.
thats why its always important to pull codes. Great to see its sorted
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