Gear stuck in neutral, have to restart car
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 13
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w221 s300
Gear stuck in neutral, have to restart car
hi guys,
I just got myself a used s300. I have been driving it for a couple of weeks and so far I haven't had any problems. However today morning, while i was making a u turn, I had to shift to reverse and when I pressed the accelerator the car didn't move, even though it shows in the meter that its in reverse. I tried shifting back in P, and then to R, and when I did that, there was a jerk, and the car could move. I was worried, so I turned off the car, and everything was back to normal. I have been driving for an 1 hour, and I couldn't replicate the problem. My mechanic mentioned that the w221 uses an electronic selector. Could that be an issue??
I don't think its a valve body issue, as there are no issues when the car is moving (downshift or upshift)
I just got myself a used s300. I have been driving it for a couple of weeks and so far I haven't had any problems. However today morning, while i was making a u turn, I had to shift to reverse and when I pressed the accelerator the car didn't move, even though it shows in the meter that its in reverse. I tried shifting back in P, and then to R, and when I did that, there was a jerk, and the car could move. I was worried, so I turned off the car, and everything was back to normal. I have been driving for an 1 hour, and I couldn't replicate the problem. My mechanic mentioned that the w221 uses an electronic selector. Could that be an issue??
I don't think its a valve body issue, as there are no issues when the car is moving (downshift or upshift)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 13
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w221 s300
just to update, i took the car to my friends workshop, he hooked it up to his scan 2 diagnostic machine, and there is a generic transmission communication error. He doesn't have STAR. The diagnostic machine also can't read certain parameters (which gear the car is in) when the problem happens, however after resetting it everything works fine. Will be testing the car for the next couple of days. I just pray it isn't the valve body...
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
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s550
I had a similar problem. Every now and then after shifting into park the car would not shift into any other gears. I took it to Mercedes and they replaced the steering column. Luckily I was covered by the warranty.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
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w221 s300
Just another update. I have a w211 which also has a 7g gearbox (lucky me
) and the same thing happened! However when I shifted it back to P and then to D, there was no jerk, as what happened in the w221 (the jerk is actually the gearbox going into limp mode, it's a very very rough jerk!). I feared the worst, since the gear indicator changes when I change gears. Fortunately it wasn't the speed sensor, it was due to the gear lever being loose. Changed the gear bushing and so far I haven't had any problems.
) and the same thing happened! However when I shifted it back to P and then to D, there was no jerk, as what happened in the w221 (the jerk is actually the gearbox going into limp mode, it's a very very rough jerk!). I feared the worst, since the gear indicator changes when I change gears. Fortunately it wasn't the speed sensor, it was due to the gear lever being loose. Changed the gear bushing and so far I haven't had any problems.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
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From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
I had same issue...put selector in a gear, no engagement. Put in Park, strong noise, as it shifted to 2nd gear, which is the "limp" mode gear. Shut down, reboot and problem gone.
It began happening more and more. I regrettably had to spend nearly 1100 usd's to have the conductor plate replaced. The plate, by the way, is not new. It is simply overhauled/remanufactured by M-B, with a price of over $500. There's a complete emptying and replacement of all trans fluids, which dealer hit me over $300 for.
My 2007 was 117,123rd made. I thought they had caught the problem by then.
I am really disappointed in M-B.
It began happening more and more. I regrettably had to spend nearly 1100 usd's to have the conductor plate replaced. The plate, by the way, is not new. It is simply overhauled/remanufactured by M-B, with a price of over $500. There's a complete emptying and replacement of all trans fluids, which dealer hit me over $300 for.
My 2007 was 117,123rd made. I thought they had caught the problem by then.
I am really disappointed in M-B.
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
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W221
Hi all,
My w221 also having the similar problem..
Worse is mine can't even start and the instrument cluster shows "shifting gear" .
I'd change the speed sensor and valve body, but the problem couldn't solved.
Oh ya, my mechanic even helped to adjust the gear level.
Anyone encounter similar problem before??? Help....
My w221 also having the similar problem..
Worse is mine can't even start and the instrument cluster shows "shifting gear" .
I'd change the speed sensor and valve body, but the problem couldn't solved.
Oh ya, my mechanic even helped to adjust the gear level.
Anyone encounter similar problem before??? Help....
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
s320cdi /SL350/Slk 230
I think you are experiencing the problem well known throughout the MB range.
In my case the problem was with a 722 transmission but again it was transmission related.
MB are aware they have at least 2 well known problems with their transmission:
1 the busing in the transmission ,eats and the oil leaks up hill( yes uphill) into the the ECU and then fouls it up with oil and the problem develops from there
2 when the car is accelerated the transmission is then under pressure and what happens is that on occasions the signal going through to the transmission gets screwed up and the car doesn't go into gear and goes into , what is known in the trade as a false neutral. You then have a total loss of power.
For a background see my experiences in my dealings with MB where I had similar problems with my SLs transmission and had to sue them. They tried even to interfere with one of my witnesses.
I have supporting evidence from an independent MB expert whic states that MB have been aware since1996 that they have had serious problems with their transmissions and had a meeting in the UK to address the issue, but clearly they have not corrected the problem
See my threads under SL R230 under transmission problems and interference with witnesses.
Take care
In my case the problem was with a 722 transmission but again it was transmission related.
MB are aware they have at least 2 well known problems with their transmission:
1 the busing in the transmission ,eats and the oil leaks up hill( yes uphill) into the the ECU and then fouls it up with oil and the problem develops from there
2 when the car is accelerated the transmission is then under pressure and what happens is that on occasions the signal going through to the transmission gets screwed up and the car doesn't go into gear and goes into , what is known in the trade as a false neutral. You then have a total loss of power.
For a background see my experiences in my dealings with MB where I had similar problems with my SLs transmission and had to sue them. They tried even to interfere with one of my witnesses.
I have supporting evidence from an independent MB expert whic states that MB have been aware since1996 that they have had serious problems with their transmissions and had a meeting in the UK to address the issue, but clearly they have not corrected the problem
See my threads under SL R230 under transmission problems and interference with witnesses.
Take care
