Justin Butkus

Issue:

• the car would not shift gears (Once I came to a stop, it would not shift past first gear).
• Would not shift past neutral (until I turned the car off)
• Occasionally would not show (Drive Mode and Sport/Comfort on the cluster (D XXX,XXX S))

Codes:

• Generic Code: P0705

Mercedes Codes:

• MIL & Stored: 2226-1, 7209
• Stored: P240-C, P1856

I let the car sit for 2 days, cleared all codes, and it seems to be working fine for the 10 Miles I drove it today, and no codes are stored or pending. HOWEVER, I want to replace the part that was responsible for this as preventative maintenance.
As a side note, during inspection for possible damage, I did unplug the TCM without the car being on, but this may have triggered 7209. (Of course, I plugged it back in before scanning the car.)
Any Clues?

Plutoe

705 tells the ECU there is a transmission issue and you need factory or equal diagnostic tool to read the TCU------if not then sell the car

isthisit

To be sure you will need to scan it with MBstar but I can tell you that I had the same symptoms and it turned out to be the torque convertor lock out solenoid. I went ahead and just replaced all the solenoids and the conductor plate while i was in there. It's not a difficult job, just a little nerve wrecking. You will need to reset the transmission after.
Hope this helps.

E55Greasemonkey

Year, mileage, condition? Is it worth fixing or is it time to call your local "we buy junk cars" guy and move on with your life?

Justin Butkus

I used a Foxwell scanner w/ Mercedes software to get the codes above, since the issue fixed itself, I will just wait and see if it comes back. I will keep your experience in my mind, but from my research, many people say that it will be the conductor plate or the shifter mechanism. Can you provide a link for the solenoid you purchased?

Thanks

Edit: Problem returned as soon as I left the driveway.

isthisit

yup.
the conductor plate i got from eeuroparts.com

Justin Butkus

SOLVED!

• Cleared codes & received these back again "2226-1, P1856, P240-C" same symptoms.
• Another forum had the same codes and it ended up being the ESM (Electronic Shift Module).
• I replaced my ESM with a used one "Same part number of course" and cleared the codes. So far, 3 days / 100 miles in, and the problem has not returned.

Seems like the previous owner spilled coffee on it, as I saw a lot of the residue around/on the ESM & this may have contributed to the failure of the ESM over time.
I will make an update if the problem returns.

Note: 7209 code is not relevant as mentioned in the Original Post, as this was triggered by me disconnecting the TCU. This code never came back after clearing codes.

tjts1

Nice job. So much BS advice from "experts" on this forum.

Justin Butkus

Well, to be fair "Truly" no one knows the issue, until seeing the car, and it seems like I am only the second case with these exact codes & symptoms in the DIY section. Although it would've been nice if someone that encountered this problem stepped forward, sometimes you just have to work with what you have. I just hope this thread will help someone in the future.

P.S. 2006 Mercedes E320 CDI 200,000 Miles.

ptkacik

Not the only one. My 2005 E320 CDI at 234,000 miles started this this morning. What is an ESM? I guess I’ll be finding out.

I did replace the conductor plate last year (the thing that looks like a connector plug on the transmission).

Peter

ptkacik

I decided my P0705 was the gear shift position sensor so I purchased and installed a new one from the dealer $750. But when I put the new one on, it seemed to have a different system to hold the gear lever on to the rod. It originally used a snap ring on the pin at the end of the rod that held it into the gearshift bushing.

Does the new version still lock on with a snap ring or is the snap ring part of the bushing?

Thank you,
Peter

ptkacik

I called the dealer and the (great) parts guy opened another box and said “YES”, the new gear selector does have a different pin catch mechanism. curious because they usually have a note in the box stating a change to the procedure but nothing is included.

FWIW,
Peter

l02turner

Hello - I am also having shifting problems in my 06 E350 w.722.6, & have replaced the shifter and conductor plate but a ****ing problem came back. Can you share the location of the ESM?
TIA -

Justin Butkus

ESM is "Electronic Shift Module" Here's a part number for reference: A2112671624 Your part# may be different, you have to remove it and check for part #.
It's literally your shifter.

My problem has not returned, knock on wood.

l02turner

Thanks Justin!
Sounds like I need to remove my shifter to get the #, right? I wonder if I can undo everything except the Shift linkage and see the ECM? Damn! I had the old shifter on my bench for several months and if I looked at the bottom, I never realized the ECM was on the there! Naturally, I got tired of moving it around and late last week I finally threw it away!

But you have told me where I can look in the parts manual - Thanks again +

sorry - I failed to take my time and understand what you are saying. You said the ECM is the Shifter which I already replaced - Oops -


konigstiger

VIN?

l02turner

My VIN is WDBUF87J86X180971
2006 Mercedes E350AWD
Maybe you can tell if there is anything unusual or odd about this VIN - I've had 5 or 6 MBs over the years and never saw one with an X in the VIN?

Thx
LT

konigstiger

X indicates 4matic. EPC shows part # 2112672924, see attachment for replacement.

l02turner

Thanks so much for the info. It is very helpful. I replaced the Shifter in 2021 with a used one but it looks like that wasn't a great choice. I understand now that the ECM/TCM is the Shifter and that must be the location of my problem. I don't look forward t replacing the Shifter again but at least I don't have to get on the ground to service the Transmission again. I replaced the Conductor plate in 2021 also. I am disabled and only get on the ground with great difficulty.
Thanks again for the info.