R-Class (W251) Produced 2006-2013: R320CDI, R350, R420CDI, R500

Locked in Park - easy cheap fix

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Old Mar 1, 2018 | 02:55 AM
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r320 cdi
Locked in Park - easy cheap fix

After researching the issue of my 08 r320 locked in park with a warning light telling me to go directly to the dealer for service, I concluded that the intelligent servo module must have become defective. Before I could have it towed to a shop, I decided to install a new battery. While I had the front passenger seat removed, it seemed proper to change the little auxiliary battery which is located under the carpet a little forward from the main battery. I did catch a comment earlier this morning that the auxiliary battery's sole function is to allow the transmission to go out of park.

I upgraded the $150 mb oem auxiliary lead-acid battery to a $20 agm "ub1213 " from batteries and bulbs.

Somehow, this did the trick and it's back on the road.

So, I guess that this over-engineered system may have an easy fix after all. Makes me wonder how many people have been hit with a $1,300 or more repair bill from their friendly mb dealership to r and r the ism when all that was needed was a little battery replacement.

Last edited by 4happiness; Mar 1, 2018 at 08:28 AM. Reason: Correct mistake
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Old Mar 2, 2018 | 09:32 AM
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2005 C240 2011 R350
great news and info.. Id your ub1213 fit exactly? Where the terminals the right size? On my 2011 R350 the OEM aux battery has a 0.25 and 0.187 terminal. The replacement battery had both at 0.25inch.

thanks
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