Drop to Neutral from Drive
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Drop to Neutral from Drive
I was driving to work this AM In Drive, sport mode - the usual.
While exiting the freeway ... without touching shifter or paddles ... on the exit ramp - all of a sudden the motor began free revving ... as if it had been shifted to neutral - which I had not done.
I coasted to a stop and played with the paddles (they have at times shifted on their own to a low gear) & with the shifter stock. Nothing.
I then I shut the car off & restarted ... everything back to normal. Except now the “Check Engine” light is on & will not go away.
I checked the gas cap - is on tight.
Is this an indication that I have transmission troubles looming? Electronic controls issues?
What do you think?
Fortunately I do have an after market Bumper to Bumper warrantee that will cover what ever it might be.
I would not want to be stranded if it happens worse next time ...
While exiting the freeway ... without touching shifter or paddles ... on the exit ramp - all of a sudden the motor began free revving ... as if it had been shifted to neutral - which I had not done.
I coasted to a stop and played with the paddles (they have at times shifted on their own to a low gear) & with the shifter stock. Nothing.
I then I shut the car off & restarted ... everything back to normal. Except now the “Check Engine” light is on & will not go away.
I checked the gas cap - is on tight.
Is this an indication that I have transmission troubles looming? Electronic controls issues?
What do you think?
Fortunately I do have an after market Bumper to Bumper warrantee that will cover what ever it might be.
I would not want to be stranded if it happens worse next time ...
Last edited by ChrisB; Feb 11, 2020 at 01:03 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
The check engine light went off today.
Fixed itself?
I will be going in for 60,000 mile maintenance soon... so my independent mechanic will look into the Codes.
Fixed itself?
I will be going in for 60,000 mile maintenance soon... so my independent mechanic will look into the Codes.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Well it happened again today.
Going up a steep hill slowly in a low gear ... I actually felt the transmission loose the gear and the engine start to free rev.
Backed into a parking stall - shut the car off & restarted and we were on our way.
The check engine light is on again.
This time we were 200 miles away from home ... so I will be looking to get this diagnosed soon.
Going up a steep hill slowly in a low gear ... I actually felt the transmission loose the gear and the engine start to free rev.
Backed into a parking stall - shut the car off & restarted and we were on our way.
The check engine light is on again.
This time we were 200 miles away from home ... so I will be looking to get this diagnosed soon.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
The mechanic did the diagnostic work today - it turns out to be something in the steering column not sending signals to the transmission.
So a fix has been agreed with the Old Republic extended warrantee company ...
$ 2,056 CDN (including taxes) for a new steering column assembly - will be ready to install this Friday.
Anyone ever heard of this type of failure before?
So a fix has been agreed with the Old Republic extended warrantee company ...
$ 2,056 CDN (including taxes) for a new steering column assembly - will be ready to install this Friday.
Anyone ever heard of this type of failure before?
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
This sounds like ISM failure - and is priced like it, too. I don't see it a lot on the forums but sometimes. If it happens with the car in park, you can't get it into neutral to tow it unless you hook it up to SDS. That there is no override is a big oversight, IMO.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
The steering column fix did not cure the problem ... next week the ISM (Intelligent Servo Module) will be replaced.
Last edited by ChrisB; Feb 21, 2020 at 10:07 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
I have been driving every day. In the past week I experienced one failure to upshift while in drive ...
Old Republic has agreed to replace the ISM as well - this will happen tomorrow.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
About 1.5 weeks ago the ISM (Intelligent Servo Module) was replaced as well - towed to MB Shop to get properly programmed.
Drove great till yesterday - dropped to neutral twice in one day;
- while idling in drive with foot on brake
- while approaching a traffic circle at about 40 miles per hour.
So now my independent mechanic will take the car back to the MB Shop to diagnose.
Could be a faulty module.
Good thing I’m not paying for this.
$ 300 deductible ... $ 4,000 in repair cost so far & counting.
Drove great till yesterday - dropped to neutral twice in one day;
- while idling in drive with foot on brake
- while approaching a traffic circle at about 40 miles per hour.
So now my independent mechanic will take the car back to the MB Shop to diagnose.
Could be a faulty module.
Good thing I’m not paying for this.
$ 300 deductible ... $ 4,000 in repair cost so far & counting.
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From: Charlotte, NC
2014 E350 4M Diamond Silver
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
I have a warranty that covers this. Others may not.
It is apparently quite expensive to self-fund such problems.
Last edited by ChrisB; Mar 11, 2020 at 10:57 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
The car was at MB Service shop for a day ... they could not replicate the condition. They could not figure out the problem.
Xentry Diagnostics testing done.
Stored fault codes P1709, P0705, P0606.
Examined ISM connector - wiring OK.
Checked for water or moisture under front carpets - none found.
Unable to find conclusive fault.
So I will be driving till the incidences become way more frequent - or something breaks completely.
Have to not rely on acceleration to remain safe when driving ... it might not be there.
Xentry Diagnostics testing done.
Stored fault codes P1709, P0705, P0606.
Examined ISM connector - wiring OK.
Checked for water or moisture under front carpets - none found.
Unable to find conclusive fault.
So I will be driving till the incidences become way more frequent - or something breaks completely.
Have to not rely on acceleration to remain safe when driving ... it might not be there.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Aside from the fact he has a warranty that is footing the bill, what would you have him do? All research on this points directly at the ISM which has been replaced and the connections examined.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 5
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W212
Hi Chris
I am having the exact problem as you! In fact, mine subsequently leads to starter problem, although I can't be sure if they are related.
Which car are you driving? I am driving a year 2012 W212. So what is your status now?
Rgds
Ken
I am having the exact problem as you! In fact, mine subsequently leads to starter problem, although I can't be sure if they are related.
Which car are you driving? I am driving a year 2012 W212. So what is your status now?
Rgds
Ken
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
W212
Hi,
This is quite a long post regarding gear shifting / starter problem and as of now, problem not resolved yet. Hopefully, some bros can shed some light.
Car: Year 2012 W212
Problem 1 (gear shift to 'P' or 'N' by itself)
The problem first started about 2 months ago when I stop at a traffic light and I felt a small jerk. Realised the gear has shifted to 'P' by itself.
I couldn't shift back to 'D', until I switch off and restart the engine. Afterwards, all is ok, the car run smoothly. However, a few days later, when slowing down (not complete stop yet), the car will shift to neutral by itself. Same thing, I couldn't shift it back to 'D' until I switch off the engine. The check engine light also came on. This happens intermittently over the next few days/weeks.
Problem 2 (starter cannot crank)
Living with problem 1 for a few weeks, when starting the car one morning, I can feel the starter crank once (split second thingy) and stop. After trying a few times, manage to start and driving was smooth after. Similarly, the starter problem happen a few more times over the next few weeks.
Decide to bring car to workshop.
Assessment 1
First diagnosis naturally points to faulty starter. After changing, cannot start still. Lucky it happen while still at the workshop. So concluded its not a starter motor issue. Workshop was very proactive to reverse the repair and kept the car for further diagnosis.
Assessment 2
Car was left overnight for diagnosis and was informed that Problem 2 was caused by a faulty Intelligent Servo Module (ISM). [img]chrome-extension://ohhcpmplhhiiaoiddkfboafbhiknefdf/TMToolbar/image/tooltip/webicon_gray.png[/img]https://mechvibesblog.com/intelligent-servo-module/
Replaced the ISM
Post repair - Day 1
The car seems to be cranking and starting smoothly after changing the ISM. However, on the night itself, the gear shifted to neutral again while at slow speed. Check engine light came on again. Called the workshop. The quick assessment is that it is two separate and different problem e.g. gear shift by itself and starter issue. Meaning that the ISM have resolved the starter issue while the gear shifting by itself is a separate problem. Possible the conductor plate? Nonetheless, was told to monitor and continue driving.
Post repair - Day 7
Today, the car once again did the dreaded spilt-second crank and stop 😫. Have to retry 3-4 times before starting the engine. This is after 6-7 days of smooth cranking after changing the ISM.
Diagnosis???
So the big question now is, are the 2 problems related?
It seems like there is a sequence to it? The gear shifting to neutral by itself first, and a week or 2 later, the starter problem will surface?
Perhaps problem 1 leads to problem 2?
Thanks for reading, and any help or comment is much appreciated!
Will post result and outcomes when/if i solve the problem.
This is quite a long post regarding gear shifting / starter problem and as of now, problem not resolved yet. Hopefully, some bros can shed some light.
Car: Year 2012 W212
Problem 1 (gear shift to 'P' or 'N' by itself)
The problem first started about 2 months ago when I stop at a traffic light and I felt a small jerk. Realised the gear has shifted to 'P' by itself.
I couldn't shift back to 'D', until I switch off and restart the engine. Afterwards, all is ok, the car run smoothly. However, a few days later, when slowing down (not complete stop yet), the car will shift to neutral by itself. Same thing, I couldn't shift it back to 'D' until I switch off the engine. The check engine light also came on. This happens intermittently over the next few days/weeks.
Problem 2 (starter cannot crank)
Living with problem 1 for a few weeks, when starting the car one morning, I can feel the starter crank once (split second thingy) and stop. After trying a few times, manage to start and driving was smooth after. Similarly, the starter problem happen a few more times over the next few weeks.
Decide to bring car to workshop.
Assessment 1
First diagnosis naturally points to faulty starter. After changing, cannot start still. Lucky it happen while still at the workshop. So concluded its not a starter motor issue. Workshop was very proactive to reverse the repair and kept the car for further diagnosis.
Assessment 2
Car was left overnight for diagnosis and was informed that Problem 2 was caused by a faulty Intelligent Servo Module (ISM). [img]chrome-extension://ohhcpmplhhiiaoiddkfboafbhiknefdf/TMToolbar/image/tooltip/webicon_gray.png[/img]https://mechvibesblog.com/intelligent-servo-module/
Replaced the ISM
Post repair - Day 1
The car seems to be cranking and starting smoothly after changing the ISM. However, on the night itself, the gear shifted to neutral again while at slow speed. Check engine light came on again. Called the workshop. The quick assessment is that it is two separate and different problem e.g. gear shift by itself and starter issue. Meaning that the ISM have resolved the starter issue while the gear shifting by itself is a separate problem. Possible the conductor plate? Nonetheless, was told to monitor and continue driving.
Post repair - Day 7
Today, the car once again did the dreaded spilt-second crank and stop 😫. Have to retry 3-4 times before starting the engine. This is after 6-7 days of smooth cranking after changing the ISM.
Diagnosis???
So the big question now is, are the 2 problems related?
It seems like there is a sequence to it? The gear shifting to neutral by itself first, and a week or 2 later, the starter problem will surface?
Perhaps problem 1 leads to problem 2?
Thanks for reading, and any help or comment is much appreciated!
Will post result and outcomes when/if i solve the problem.
