Shifting issues
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 42
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Shifting issues
Have intermittent shifting issues where it won’t show on the display what gear it’s in. When it does this it won’t go past prob 2nd gear and won’t go back into park. Have to turn off in neutral to be able to get into park.
I cleared codes from previous time and only code I saw under transmission was
130 CAN Communication Disturbed: Electronic Selector Lever Module
what does this mean?
I cleared codes from previous time and only code I saw under transmission was
130 CAN Communication Disturbed: Electronic Selector Lever Module
what does this mean?
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
The shift lever module is locked to the VIN, as it is one of the four "theft relevant" units (Shift module, ESI, ECU and key). Otherwise, it needs no programming.
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2005 S500 Designo
The intermittent behavior suggests it's the electrolytic capacitors going bad, a problem that's unfortunately only going to get worse until the car refuses to even start due to EWS not getting the right signal from the module (The shift module is linked to the anti-theft. Mercedes will not sell a virgin part unless they themselves install it, meaning open up your wallet for the dealer to do the job).
Workarounds include: PCB board repair including replacing the electrolytic capacitors (what I did), sending it off to someone who does this repair (I forgot the name but a company does this), buying a "virginized" unit where new memory chips have been installed into a parts unit (no longer an option as the guy that did this is retired and when I was looking they didn't have a replacement), or transferring the memory chip from your existing module's PCB to a new module's PCB (not recommended as it'll probably fail soon as well, unless the electrolytic capacitors are also replaced and some solder connections reflowed).
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Thanks for info!
did you do the fix yourself?
Is cleaning the tcu connections worth a try?
A weird thing is that as soon as I put in a new car battery - the times it does it is a lot lot less!
so if I’m able source a new one - I wouldn’t have to program it? Would be plug and play?
https://www.shopmbpartsnow.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-center-gearshift-2202673324?origin=pla&gad_source=4&gbraid=0AAAAAqW fWcLar5lmgE50xidio4mDZER4I
did you do the fix yourself?
Is cleaning the tcu connections worth a try?
A weird thing is that as soon as I put in a new car battery - the times it does it is a lot lot less!
so if I’m able source a new one - I wouldn’t have to program it? Would be plug and play?
https://www.shopmbpartsnow.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-center-gearshift-2202673324?origin=pla&gad_source=4&gbraid=0AAAAAqW fWcLar5lmgE50xidio4mDZER4I
Last edited by texasplayer; Feb 8, 2025 at 08:37 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
The TCU has nothing to do with displaying the shift lever position - that is mechanical/electrical from the shift lever assembly.
If you are asking about sourcing a new shift lever module - Again, the shift lever module is "theft relevant", is married to the VIN, AND must be matched to the other "theft relevant" units. No, you can't program it. No, it is not plug 'n play.
If you are asking about sourcing a new shift lever module - Again, the shift lever module is "theft relevant", is married to the VIN, AND must be matched to the other "theft relevant" units. No, you can't program it. No, it is not plug 'n play.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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The TCU has nothing to do with displaying the shift lever position - that is mechanical/electrical from the shift lever assembly.
If you are asking about sourcing a new shift lever module - Again, the shift lever module is "theft relevant", is married to the VIN, AND must be matched to the other "theft relevant" units. No, you can't program it. No, it is not plug 'n play.
If you are asking about sourcing a new shift lever module - Again, the shift lever module is "theft relevant", is married to the VIN, AND must be matched to the other "theft relevant" units. No, you can't program it. No, it is not plug 'n play.
Last edited by texasplayer; Feb 10, 2025 at 11:38 AM.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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2005 S500 Designo
If you have the 722.9 transmisison, everything said in this thread applies, if you have the 722.6 5-speed then the issue is something else.
Re: 722.9: Mercedes will not sell this part to you without they themselves installing it. You will have to take it to a dealership to have this done. They do this because it's linked to the anti-theft. Their logic: if they let these parts get out into the wild, it would open up an avenue for thieves to bring stolen cars back on the road.
Thread Starter
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To be clear, what's the year, make, and model of your car?
If you have the 722.9 transmisison, everything said in this thread applies, if you have the 722.6 5-speed then the issue is something else.
Re: 722.9: Mercedes will not sell this part to you without they themselves installing it. You will have to take it to a dealership to have this done. They do this because it's linked to the anti-theft. Their logic: if they let these parts get out into the wild, it would open up an avenue for thieves to bring stolen cars back on the road.
If you have the 722.9 transmisison, everything said in this thread applies, if you have the 722.6 5-speed then the issue is something else.
Re: 722.9: Mercedes will not sell this part to you without they themselves installing it. You will have to take it to a dealership to have this done. They do this because it's linked to the anti-theft. Their logic: if they let these parts get out into the wild, it would open up an avenue for thieves to bring stolen cars back on the road.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 224
2005 S500 Designo
The 722.6 transmission shift linkage can be ordered and swapped out from the dealership.
It's still possible the failure you're describing is fixable with a capacitor swap/board repair.
There is a different failure mode for the 722.6; I remember seeing it on a w211...
At least I'm pretty sure all this is the case with the 722.6 in the w220.
Thread Starter
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shift linkage? U don’t think its the shift lever module? If its the shift lever module - since it’s a 722.6 version - would that need to be programmed or not?
fixable with a capacitor swap/board repair - who generally would do this type of repair? What should I google?
fixable with a capacitor swap/board repair - who generally would do this type of repair? What should I google?
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Mercedes
You can swap 4 parts from another car - key shifter ecu and ignition switch . They sell matched sets on eBay or car being parted out . If you swap all 4 parts taken from the same donor car then no programming needed
most people sell the 4 matched parts for $350-400
otherwise you have to buy new for $1000 plus pay Mercedes to program
most people sell the 4 matched parts for $350-400
otherwise you have to buy new for $1000 plus pay Mercedes to program
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 224
2005 S500 Designo
It seems it is.
I'm not sure if it uses the same shift linkage as in the 722.9. If it does, you can find pictures and what successfully worked for me in this thread here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post9083676
Last edited by Fried Chicken; Feb 11, 2025 at 08:58 AM.
