hiba

I知 recently having problems with my 2016 GLE 350d. Occasionally (once a week or so) as I知 putting it into Drive it automatically goes into Neutral. after about half an hour to an hour of trying to put it into drive, it finally goes into drive. Took it into the dealership and they have never heard of this problem before and couldn稚 find the problem.
I took my vehicle to the dealership in for a recall fix and this problem happened shortly after my visit. Has anyone heard of this problem before?

WN1X

What was the recall for? Did the dealer check the actual shifter switch to make sure it was operating properly? Does reverse engage correctly?

barsaec

I have not heard of this problem with this transmission. I would look to the switch as @WN1X stated.

hiba

t
This photo is what the recall is for. Yes, it goes into park and reverse fine. When I took it back to the dealership they couldn稚 find the problem during the scan, so I am not sure what exactly they checked.

chassis

@hiba Do you still have the problem?

hiba

Yes - but not every time I drive it. Happens about once a week or so.

WN1X

I don't think the recall work is related to the shifter problem. You are going to need to get your dealer to determine what is faulty. My gut feeling is it's the shifter switch not making good contact when selecting drive, but it certainly could be the transmission.

hiba

Thank you, I will see what they say again... hopefully not the transmission... Do you know what could be the cause of this problem?

chassis

@hiba Have the dealer check the direct selector switch/module. Do you know what that is? It痴 the hand lever by which you choose the gear (PRND), and the attached module inside the steering column. They need to read codes and do an electrical function test on the switch itself. Another possibility is the gear selection module on the transmission. But it seems like easiest fastest cheapest to diagnose the direct select switch. It doesn稚 sound to me from your description that it is a electro hydro mechanical problem in the transmission.

hiba

Thanks for your reply! I took it in again today and mentioned your above suggestions. Hoping it gets fixed and doesn稚 cost an arm and a leg!

amusa

My work PC is acting strange.

Sounds like a gear shifter module or a bad conductor plate (built in speed sensor) and the plug got soaked in oil. Something to check out. The Conductor plate sit inside the transmission pan. I know on the older Benz the plug is inside the front passenger floor board. I have not checked if it's in the same location on the GLE.

As for the recall it's for the steering I had that same recall way back and MB took care of it at the same time they did a map update.

chassis

The 722.9 looks like the main electrical connector is not inside the vehicle but rather on the transmission on the right (passenger side NA) side. It's annotated in both attached documents.

It seems like a good maintenance item, to remove the heat shield, disconnect the electrical connector and inspect the connector for oil infiltration. Presence of oil may be able to be cleaned by contact cleaner, although likely a temporary (years?) fix. If there is oil in the connector it would be due to seal failure of the connector and replacement in my view would be needed.

Oil in the 722.9/W166 connector doesn't come up often (yet) on this site.

hiba

does it make a difference that it is a 9 speed transmission ?

chassis

@hiba In which market are you located, and can you please post your VIN? This helps someone lookup the correct procedure.

hiba

located in Alberta, Canada. I値l get my VIN as soon as I get my vehicle back from the dealer.

hiba

Update: They said the valve body needs to be replaced.

amusa

Valve body is also the conductor plate (another name they call it) with the speed sensor that I mention. Make sure they replace the plug as well.

This has to be re-program on STAR tool. The 5 speed does not need to be program.