My sisters 2005 ML350 seems to have developed a problem in which when the car comes to a stop at a light or something, it doesn't appear to have shifted back to 1st and just revs like its in neutral and wont move. Usually it eventually starts going again after revving it a bit but today she eventually had to shift it in to Park and back to Drive to get it kick back in to gear and start being able to move again...

I'm guessing transmission related, but any specific ideas where to start looking for an issue like this? Could it just be low fluid? Something else?

Thanks for any direction and help.

 

When the problem occurs, is the gear indicator in the instrument cluster showing "D"?

What happens if she puts it in reverse?

 

She said that it does show D while this is happening.

If its put in reverse, it goes in reverse like normal.

 

There could be a few possibilities:

1. engine mount/s are broken..........does eng. shake coming to a stop?

2. transmission problem but I doubt it could be low on fluid. Have you checked the fluid level with aftermarket dip stick?

3. shifter rod bushing broken.