Stuck in reverse and other fun problems!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1991 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL
Stuck in reverse and other fun problems!
This evening, while backing out of a parking space, my '91 (auto trans) 420SEL got stuck in reverse. I could move the shifter into all positions, but it continued to reverse only. I also could not move the steering wheel. I was able to 'unstick' it by turning off and restarting my car. It drove fine after that, however, it did shudder quite violently whenever I stopped at lights on the way home.
I'm not very knowledgable about cars (though I'm trying to learn), but I'll give you a little history of the way my car acts - whether or not these things are relevant is beyond me:
I've had it for about 6 months - It has always shuddered somewhat on and off at traffic stops. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. It hasn't seemed to relate to weather or temperature in any way.
It tends to 'lurch' when changing from drive to reverse and vice versa. (in fact, it's name is Lurch)
So what do you guys think? Transmission? Linkage?
I'm not very knowledgable about cars (though I'm trying to learn), but I'll give you a little history of the way my car acts - whether or not these things are relevant is beyond me:
I've had it for about 6 months - It has always shuddered somewhat on and off at traffic stops. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. It hasn't seemed to relate to weather or temperature in any way.
It tends to 'lurch' when changing from drive to reverse and vice versa. (in fact, it's name is Lurch)
So what do you guys think? Transmission? Linkage?
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
1991 420SEL & 300E, 2003 BMW X5, 2001 740iL all on DUBS
Same thing happen to me (stuck in first) but its because i f***ed up my trans when i was trying to replace the trans fluid, I was about to rebuild my tranny but all it needed was new bushings and the car was good to go
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Mercerville New Jersey
1991 560SEC Teal 1989 420SEL Ice Blue 1984 500SEC White
Try the shifter bushings and a transmission service.
The lurching is normal if you compare the reverse to drive to an american transmission. It is not as smooth as an American trans would be.
The lurching is normal if you compare the reverse to drive to an american transmission. It is not as smooth as an American trans would be.
