When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I recently purchased a 2002 G500 that beeps and displays a warning TC in neutral when I get out and the parking brake is not on . Also the spot where the H/L should display on the cluster is just a rectangle. After reading up on the issue I replaced the transfer case shift motor hoping that would resolve the issue but no change. So I picked up a programmer and got Xentry up and running so I could diagnose further. I tried to re-learn the transfer case but I get an error "Learning of the transfer case has been aborted, Distance of shift motor too long." Also fault codes P2213 "The signal from component Direction sensor is implausible." and P2214 "Control module N15/7 (VGS control module) is not correctly learned". I could not see any issue with wiring and the plug under the car looked clean with no corrosion. Also, the transfer case shifts between high and low fine just no confirmation on the dash.
Just for fun I swapped the original sift motor back in and same error when re-learning and fault codes.
So seems like it is the TC control module at this point unless there is a wiring issue I'm not seeing? Is it common for the module to fail with the codes I'm getting? I'm new to Mercedes programming, is there any way to update the firmware on the module to maybe resolve this? Probably not a good idea to buy a used TC module off ebay since these fail often so my only option is the MB dealer?
I know this might be elementary, but did you try the the H/L reset procedure? If not, try this:
Start the truck, put it in Neutral. Hold down the “low” button for 10 secs, then hold the “high” button for 5-10 seconds. You should see the little box to the right of your D indicator turn to H.
Yeah tried holding low and high multiple times but the H/L never shows.
I'll probably buy a new module from Mercedes. Looks like the new part number is 463-901-07-00 which replaces 463-545-08-32, 463-545-21-32, 463-545-25-32, 463-545-27-32, 463-901-07-00-64. Cheapest price I can find online is $384 + $5 shipping.
Replaced the transfer case control module with a brand new one and exact same problem. When I try to learn the transfer case it says distance of shift motor too long. I also checked every wire from the module to the shift motor with an ohm meter and all are good. At this point I have replaced the control module, shift motor and verified the wiring. It shifts between high and low gear and drives fine just the computer doesn't like the distance it takes to shift. Not sure what else to check at this point.
Replaced the transfer case control module with a brand new one and exact same problem. When I try to learn the transfer case it says distance of shift motor too long. I also checked every wire from the module to the shift motor with an ohm meter and all are good. At this point I have replaced the control module, shift motor and verified the wiring. It shifts between high and low gear and drives fine just the computer doesn't like the distance it takes to shift. Not sure what else to check at this point.
Unfortunately it has not been resolved. At this point it has to be a mechanical issue but I'm not sure what could have gone wrong in the transfer case. Looking at diagrams of the transfer case, the shift motor turns a shaft which has a groove in it and the shift fork has a pin that rides in the groove to move the shift fork. It doesn't seem like there is much chance of extra play being introduced into the system. Maybe some day I will tear apart the transfer case but it seems like most parts in the transfer case are not readily available to purchase so even if I took it apart and found the issue chances are I couldn't get a replacement part. I'm probably going to run it as is and if it ever fails just swap with a used replacement transfer case.
Some other thoughts on this I checked in Vediamo(Mercedes factory coding tool) to see if the max shift distance could be programmed but couldn't see anywhere.
I thought I had figured out my TC issues after replacing the TC motor and relearning using STAR/Xentry. It has been working well after replacing my TC Motor and relearning with STAR/Xentry for the past 2.5 months.
I was digging around in STAR/Xentry the other day (nothing related to the TC) and this error just popped up. H/L indicator in the cluster disappeared and started getting the "TC in Neutral" again. Car drives like normal but it won't switch into Low, it just goes into Neutral. If I shut the G off, it will reengage High and drive like normal. I've tried the reset procedure and this doesn't do anything either. (Hold Low for 20 sec, then hold High for 20 sec)
I've tried the TC relearning procedure and get the P2213 error - nothing I do seems to fix it.
I have tried swapping in a NEW TC motor (from FCPEuro), thinking something went wrong with the sensor circuit inside the motor, but this is not the case. So I'm out of ideas.
If anyone has a STAR/Xentry setup, can you read the "Alle Werte", "Position Data of Sensors", and "Shift Motor" Information menus and post them up?
I THINK I may have figured out the issue. Not solved yet, but actively working on a possible solution.
My battery was last replaced in 2017 by a previous owner and I noticed it was struggling sometimes. It made sense to just replace it, so I dropped in an Odyssey Group 49 AGM and was keeping any eye on system voltage through the Xentry system as I did notice in the past the voltage dipping below 11.6V and a red circle being displayed next to the value, where normally it would be green (I'm guessing for 'good voltage').
This is a screenshot of my Transfer Case Alle Werte (All Values)
The Transfer Case Motor Voltage +/- is out of the specified range, 6.6V vs the expected 7.5V-8V. With the G motor running (alternator running), the Battery Voltage is in the 13V range and the TC motor voltage is correct being 7.8V.
I left the G on a battery tender for about 30 min and was able to get the TC motor voltage up to 7.3V, so this may just be a waiting game for the voltage to be in the right range to be able to correctly run the learning procedure.
Anyone have any idea why this Voltage value would be low with the ignition on and motor off? I would expect this range to be a lot higher, or the voltage regulation to be more accurate, unless there is some other parasitic draw on the system somewhere else.
I THINK I may have figured out the issue. Not solved yet, but actively working on a possible solution.
My battery was last replaced in 2017 by a previous owner and I noticed it was struggling sometimes. It made sense to just replace it, so I dropped in an Odyssey Group 49 AGM and was keeping any eye on system voltage through the Xentry system as I did notice in the past the voltage dipping below 11.6V and a red circle being displayed next to the value, where normally it would be green (I'm guessing for 'good voltage').
This is a screenshot of my Transfer Case Alle Werte (All Values)
The Transfer Case Motor Voltage +/- is out of the specified range, 6.6V vs the expected 7.5V-8V. With the G motor running (alternator running), the Battery Voltage is in the 13V range and the TC motor voltage is correct being 7.8V.
I left the G on a battery tender for about 30 min and was able to get the TC motor voltage up to 7.3V, so this may just be a waiting game for the voltage to be in the right range to be able to correctly run the learning procedure.
Anyone have any idea why this Voltage value would be low with the ignition on and motor off? I would expect this range to be a lot higher, or the voltage regulation to be more accurate, unless there is some other parasitic draw on the system somewhere else.
Crossing my figures that this is it.
Did you figure this out? I'm having this issue on my 2002 G500 as well. Opening the door without e-brake engaged throws a "TC Case in Neutral" error on the dash. No indication of H/L on dash.
Shifts into H/L fine, sometimes misses Low and grinds when put in gear. I replaced the TC motor and could not run the learn procedure, same error codes.
What's interesting is the "distance learned" of 31.875mm is exactly the same on mine.
I have not been able to figure this out yet. Some things that I do know though:
Mine does not shift into L. If it ever does go into N, it does grind when trying to put it into H, but never goes. The only way I can get mine back into H is to shut the G down, and start it up again. The default mode is to force the TC into H, which mine will do after a few starts.
The "distance learned" of 31.875mm, I believe, is the maximum distance before the process times out, which would make sense why you are seeing this also.
My battery is new, so not an issue. I also have tried running a tender on the battery during calibration, as well as jumper cables from a running car to boost up the internal voltages. Did not work.
My TC computer could be on the fritz - I need to remove the center console to see if there is any water damage or any signs of issues. I also need to check the continuity of the wiring harness. Another member on the ClubG forum also pointed me in the direction of looking at other systems with with STAR/Xentry, so I plan to work through that this weekend.
In a last-ditch effort, I also picked up a used known good transfer case that I can swap in if everything else fails to solve this issue.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
2002 G500 Transfer Case Shift Problems
