M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

Ml320 shift issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 29, 2013 | 02:40 PM
  #1  
WBMB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2000 Ml320
Ml320 shift issues

To start I drive a 2000 ml320. Last week I accidentally left my drivers side window cracked about an inch. That same night we had a rain storm adding up to over 4 inches. I went out the next day to go pick my son up from his grandma's 10 minutes away, the car drove fine. Came home, parked it & nothing seemed wrong. The next night we went out to do some shopping & it wouldn't shift out of park. I did some research and found it was most likely the brake switch. Replaced that and nothing. Still stuck and brake lights are working. I used the override to get it out if park & as I was driving it down the road I noticed it wouldn't shift out of first gear. Brought it home, did some more research and found it was actually stuck in second and it was in LHM. I had a friend try to read codes off of it and it showed up nothing. My boyfriend thinks we might have to replace the shifter assembly because it may have gotten wet but since we were dealing with the brake switch it had dried before we got a chance to check it. Anyone have any idea of what this could be?
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2013 | 04:53 PM
  #2  
art_arev's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 504
Likes: 7
From: Harare, Zimbabwe
2003 ML55,2007 ML63
If the computer senses something wrong, it starts in limp mode to avoid further damage.
Have the car scanned with a pro level scanner. Post the codes

Last edited by art_arev; Dec 30, 2013 at 01:56 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2013 | 05:08 AM
  #3  
Maj. Dundee's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
It probably the shifter mechanism, but you still haven't told us if the shifter had gotten wet.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2013 | 02:13 PM
  #4  
art_arev's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 504
Likes: 7
From: Harare, Zimbabwe
2003 ML55,2007 ML63
Jim, If it is the shifter mechanism will the car still be in limp mode after using the "overide"? She mentiones that the car was in limp mode after overide.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2014 | 12:08 AM
  #5  
Maj. Dundee's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Originally Posted by art_arev
Jim, If it is the shifter mechanism will the car still be in limp mode after using the "overide"? She mentiones that the car was in limp mode after overide.
Yes it will.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2014 | 06:06 AM
  #6  
gerg2014's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
ML430
Hello I recently couldn't get my 01ML430 out of park so of course I searched
the threads and found this to be quite common so I took it to a foreign car
specialist near home in limp mode. The mech said that the gear shift assembly
needed to be replaced. Since I saw no brake lights and figured this is an issue
related cause I did the lesser 1st. After the repair the dash indicator doesn't
show what gear Im in its a blank square box also it's still in LM..could it be the
shifter after all..I've also read that a weak battery could cause this type of stuff
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2014 | 08:12 AM
  #7  
Maj. Dundee's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
You aren't telling us too much. What repair did you make?

If you do not have brake lights and cannot shift out of park, then the problem lies with the brake light switch.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2014 | 07:01 PM
  #8  
gerg2014's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
ML430
Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
You aren't telling us too much. What repair did you make?

If you do not have brake lights and cannot shift out of park, then the problem lies with the brake light switch.
The repair that was I made was I replaced the brake light switch..I have brake lights now but like I said before the foreign shop I went to said that my shift assembly needed to be replaced because the module thats attached to it is not removable...see pic..so I opted get a second diagnosis and he put the shifter back in the vehicle..mind you before the brake light switch was replaced the only way I could put it in drive was to stick a pen into the shifter..afterwards I could shift into drive..my issues now are

1. The vehicle is only drivable in a low gear ( no changing from 2nd to 3rd etc)

2. On the dash where the letter D should be theres no letter..it's boxed out
even when in R or N..
Here's the pic of the shifter turned to the back showing the module that;s supposed to be causing this..could it be
Attached Thumbnails Ml320 shift issues-photo-1.jpg  
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:04 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE