My 1997 E320 occasionally have difficulties shifting out of the first or second gear. When that happens, the engine revs up. Shifting to Park and back to Drive may temporarily solve the problem. Shifting between D and R gives me a hard hit. I also discovered that the shifter module became warm after driving for half an hour (I am not sure if a warm shifter module is normal). I occasionally felt a hard hit (almost like somebody hit me from behind) when the car shifted up from the first or second gear.

I only noticed the problem in about 2 months ago after my car was broken into by a thief. I found broken glass pieces on the shifter module and thought some might have fallen inside (through the openings around the stick). I never poured any liquids on the shifter module.

I think it's a shifter module problem. How do I fix it? If I replace the shifter module, should I also do a transmission fluid change? The car has 148k miles on it.

[Update]

I strongly suspect that the broken glass pieces in the shifter module are causing the problem. There are actually two positions that my stick can rest on in the Drive mode. When the stick is in one position (the backward one), my car shifts perfectly well; when the stick rests in other position (the forward one), my car doesn't shift out of the second (or third, I can't tell exactly) gear. Maybe the broken glass pieces are obstructing the stick from moving freely.

Any idea on how to fix this?

[Update]

I've attached two pictures to demonstrate what I meant by there are two positions in the Drive mode. Both pictures were taken at night so that the light on my shift panel can be seen.

In the first picture, my stick rests in the "forward position". The light is off, and my car doesn't shift out of the first (or second) gear.

In the second picture, my stick rests in the "backward position". The light is on, and my car shifts normally. (You have to look closely at the picture to tell the light is on.)

This means my shifter module has a poor contact problem. Is there a decent chance that I can disassemble the module and fix it?

 

You will have to remove it. I actually done this surgery but not due to glass. Due to using what "Mercedes" calls a cup holder. I think you know where this is going.

The surgery isn't that bad. I did it twice because my 1st one was defective unit (shifter) so I got lucky to do it again. Do a search under my name/should be under shifter.

I would at least try to remove the shifter and obviously see if you can get whatever is in there out before buying one. I think the going price is around $250- $450

Ohlord who is no longer a member here walked me through it on the phone and also provided with a used part that worked perfect!!!!!! for cheap money as well.

 

Hi armaniE55: thanks for your reply.

I tried to take away the shifter yesterday, but couldn't figure out how to remove the clip that secures the linkage between the shifter and the transmission. How did you do that?

 

Ah yes the mighty clip. How could I forget. I was able to remove the clip without going under the car. Hang tight I should have the link saved-

 

Here you go- If I remember correctly it should just slide up. Just be careful not to drop the shifter arm back under the car. (you could still get to it but it's just more man hours)

Keep tinkering with it.. You will figure it out!

https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/...ft-module.html

GL

*also from your pics something is funky is going on with your shifter for sure. Rather is glass in there or something spilled at one point and now it's just acting up-