S500 in Limp Mode
06-11-2018, 09:00 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
S500 in Limp Mode
Yesterday while driving, I noticed the car would not shift into 2nd gear and I couldn't go past 30 mph. I pulled over, turned the car on/off and everything was back to normal. I've also had 2 instances where the shifter was stuck in Drive and I couldn't get it past Neutral until I turned the car on/off.
I'm thinking there's an issue with the shifter module? Thoughts?
Things are beginning to go south with this car really fast. I've ran into multiple issues over the course of 3-5 months. It's one thing after another. I wonder if this is related to the aftermarket system I've installed in the car. My rear SAM fried, my front headlight is giving errors, side markers are out, instrument cluster resets itself and does not save settings.
Carmax offered me $2000. I just can't do it. Not with the amount of money I've poured into the vehicle and given it's overall interior/exterior condition. UGH, this sucks
I'm thinking there's an issue with the shifter module? Thoughts?
Things are beginning to go south with this car really fast. I've ran into multiple issues over the course of 3-5 months. It's one thing after another. I wonder if this is related to the aftermarket system I've installed in the car. My rear SAM fried, my front headlight is giving errors, side markers are out, instrument cluster resets itself and does not save settings.
Carmax offered me $2000. I just can't do it. Not with the amount of money I've poured into the vehicle and given it's overall interior/exterior condition. UGH, this sucks
06-11-2018, 12:54 PM
#2
You either have water damage to your electronics (commin problem have you cleaned out reed valve in the black plastic reservoir below passenger side windshield ? It gets clogged and water enters the cabin electronics )
or fluid damage to your transmission control unit as there’s a 13 pin connector which leaks and fluid leaks into tcu
both of these are very common problems and very expensive if not caught and fixed as they damage more things
or fluid damage to your transmission control unit as there’s a 13 pin connector which leaks and fluid leaks into tcu
both of these are very common problems and very expensive if not caught and fixed as they damage more things
06-11-2018, 01:12 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You either have water damage to your electronics (commin problem have you cleaned out reed valve in the black plastic reservoir below passenger side windshield ? It gets clogged and water enters the cabin electronics )
or fluid damage to your transmission control unit as there’s a 13 pin connector which leaks and fluid leaks into tcu
both of these are very common problems and very expensive if not caught and fixed as they damage more things
or fluid damage to your transmission control unit as there’s a 13 pin connector which leaks and fluid leaks into tcu
both of these are very common problems and very expensive if not caught and fixed as they damage more things
There should transmission error codes stored, right? A STAR diagnostic scan should pin point the issue? Thanks
06-11-2018, 08:59 PM
#4
Not necessarily
you need to do a visual check of the tcu to see if it’s wet with fluid , do a water test of the reed valve to make sure it’s not clogged , and check the 13 pin connector . It should be replaced regardless they are cheap and essential to change
you need to do a visual check of the tcu to see if it’s wet with fluid , do a water test of the reed valve to make sure it’s not clogged , and check the 13 pin connector . It should be replaced regardless they are cheap and essential to change
Last edited by tusabes; 06-11-2018 at 09:02 PM.
06-12-2018, 07:29 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I'm dropping off my car this morning to a benz mechanic to run diagnostics. I'll have him check the mentioned items to make sure the TCU is not wet, connector etc....
I'll keep everyone posted
06-13-2018, 09:13 AM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Update- Looks like its the shifter module is starting to go bad. I know there's a piece that breaks that can be replaced fairly cheap but the indy is telling me the entire module needs to be replaced. The part alone is $1500. Yikes
It's been fun. Going to sell it. See if I can get 3500-4000 for it
It's been fun. Going to sell it. See if I can get 3500-4000 for it
06-13-2018, 09:24 AM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
I think that you need a new mechanic.
Here is a complete set of the security-critical items for $350...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-Merce...a~M4F#viTabs_0
Here is a complete set of the security-critical items for $350...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-Merce...a~M4F#viTabs_0
Trending Topics
06-13-2018, 09:45 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I think that you need a new mechanic.
Here is a complete set of the security-critical items for $350...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-Merce...a~M4F#viTabs_0
Here is a complete set of the security-critical items for $350...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-Merce...a~M4F#viTabs_0
Holy crap. Thanks
I know these mechanics aren't a big fan of installing used parts. I know another indy that will probably do it
Thanks for this link!
06-13-2018, 10:47 AM
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Remember that these items must be replaced as a set...
Check with the vendor before buying to ensure that everything came from one vehicle.
Check with the vendor before buying to ensure that everything came from one vehicle.
The following users liked this post:
imtheking (06-13-2018)
06-14-2018, 01:01 AM
#10
Yes if using used parts you must change alll 4 parts (key shifter ecu and ignition switch )
as they are all coded to only work together
a brand new shifter can be coded to your car and you can just change the one part . But if using used parts you must swap all 4
as they are all coded to only work together
a brand new shifter can be coded to your car and you can just change the one part . But if using used parts you must swap all 4
06-14-2018, 07:45 AM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I give it to this guy, he has dug real deep and is searching for the root cause of all these electrical issues I've been having (instrument cluster reset, check low beam r, sidemarkers out, rear sam fried etc) and it looks like he's getting close to solving all my weird electrical issues. He's looking for water leaks to; he said they could be so minor that you may not even see it in the car
He also mentioned that we can use the repair kit for the shifter but he can't make any promises on how long it will last. The shifter is throwing back codes etc...
Anyway, I'll provide another update once I hear back what he finds. I think it may help others in the future.
06-14-2018, 08:47 AM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
It sounds as if your new tech is better. Good luck to both of you!
When you have water intrusion from the plugged HVAC plenum drain, it is very common to not see water in the car. The water fills the plenum, then spills over at the firewall, runs down the firewall inside the car, and under the carpet. There are channels stamped into the floor where the water collects (these channels are not there to collect/direct the water!). The water soaks the thick foam padding under the carpet, and makes its way to the rear of the car to the SAM (Signal Acquisition Module under the rear seat. Along the way, it soaks the main power cable and associated prefuses under an aluminum cover under the passenger carpet. This can cause corrosion and mysterious electrical problems. (These are the elements that are sometimes damaged by improper jump-starting.)
When the water get to the rear, it can fill the rear SAM and its fuse box. This can cause severe damage with associated electrical problems.
Just because there was no water in the plenum when you got around to checking it does not mean that it did not fill with water during rain or a carwash! Slow drainage can fill the plenum, but the water might disappear in a couple of days...
When you have water intrusion from the plugged HVAC plenum drain, it is very common to not see water in the car. The water fills the plenum, then spills over at the firewall, runs down the firewall inside the car, and under the carpet. There are channels stamped into the floor where the water collects (these channels are not there to collect/direct the water!). The water soaks the thick foam padding under the carpet, and makes its way to the rear of the car to the SAM (Signal Acquisition Module under the rear seat. Along the way, it soaks the main power cable and associated prefuses under an aluminum cover under the passenger carpet. This can cause corrosion and mysterious electrical problems. (These are the elements that are sometimes damaged by improper jump-starting.)
When the water get to the rear, it can fill the rear SAM and its fuse box. This can cause severe damage with associated electrical problems.
Just because there was no water in the plenum when you got around to checking it does not mean that it did not fill with water during rain or a carwash! Slow drainage can fill the plenum, but the water might disappear in a couple of days...
