Falco Nero

Dear all,

In need of your help here. My SL is not shifting anymore into gears, only engaging D and R with a loud bang sound and leaping forward/backward.
The car is still driveable - it revs up to 4000 rpm at 30 mph and just won't shift. There is no CEL on.
Thanks to search function in this forum I understood it might be the gearbox conductor plate. Before attempting to change it, I'd like to get some advices from you.

How could I start the troubleshooting to narrow the possibilities? I have to get a proper scan tool as well - do you recommend any? Consider my car is a '97 320, so won't have the more easily readable electronics of the later series '98-'01.

Please let me know, I really wont to get it back on the road!
Thanks in advance!

AndreasHannover

After you replaced the conductor board, you need to reset the code with star diagnosis anyway. The transmission will not work without it.

Falco Nero

Thank you for your reply.

So you won't suggest it at all or do you recommend sourcing a suitable diagnostic tool beforehand? Or only the original star diag will do the work?
Worst case, I could possibly bring it in the shop just for a reset after the plate change.

AndreasHannover

I have my own Star diagnostic device, so for me that's not a question. The symptoms are exactly those of a defective conductor plate. If I were you, I would save the money for a diagnosis and only go to a workshop with SD after the repair.

Falco Nero

Thank you - I understand then that my problem is most likely the conductor plate. I will carry out the replacement and then go to the shop for a code reset.
Will keep you updated on the outcome!