'99 Turbodiesel - key won't work and need to tow the car - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dtf · #1 06-03-2016, 08:17 AM

Hi Guys - DD has more traffic than Tech side so can anyone help me here? See post below copied from my post on Tech forum:

'Ok - update. I have a guy coming to tow the '99 away tomorrow morning but with the key tumbler/steering column locked due to the key issue the rear tires can't roll because I can't get it into neutral.

I assume there is an override for this - can anybody tell me how to do this on the '99 Turbo Diesel?

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Alec300SD · #2 06-03-2016, 09:47 AM

I believe post #3 on this link might be of assistance.

dtf · #3 06-03-2016, 01:32 PM

a million thanks for trying to help me out. I found that MBWorld link last night too - that picture is from a 2000 E class owners manual (found that last night too) and I have a '99 so my shift plate looks different as I do not have that little hole! Figures right?

97 SL320 · #4 06-03-2016, 03:51 PM

Does this still have a metal blade key not the "smart key". The smart key system uses a solenoid in the shifter base if I recall correctly.

99 should still have a cable that runs from the ignition switch to brake pedal to left rear trans. ( It points rearward ) This cable operates the shifter lock when the key is removed and allows the shifter to be moved from park when the brake pedal is pressed.

If you remove the hush panel below the steering column , above the brake pedal, you should be able to pull the cable that unlocks the shifter. You only need to do this to get out of park, all other gears can be selected without pulling the cable,

86-300sdl · #5 06-03-2016, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtf

Hi Guys - DD has more traffic than Tech side so can anyone help me here? See post below copied from my post on Tech forum:

'Ok - update. I have a guy coming to tow the '99 away tomorrow morning but with the key tumbler/steering column locked due to the key issue the rear tires can't roll because I can't get it into neutral.

I assume there is an override for this - can anybody tell me how to do this on the '99 Turbo Diesel?

__________________

Just let the tow company know your situation.

I've seen flat bed rigs just back up to the rear of the car, drop the bed down, spray WD-40 or the like on the ramp, and just slide (winch) the car onto the bed.

You should be fine...

Alec300SD · #6 06-03-2016, 04:06 PM

I found this web page possibly related to your problem.

Try their troubleshooting steps to see if you have a failed brake switch or a failed brake shift interlock solenoid.

If the plastic lever is broken in the shifter assembly, then look at their video.

The YouTube video from that page link has no sound, but in the first 40 seconds the video shows the mechanic freeing the stuck shifter by pulling off the shift knob and striking it with a BFH.

Hope this helps.

Edit: Advice does not apply, I forgot you have tumbler issues as well. It is probably best to let the tow operator use their expertise/tools (towing with dollies under the rear wheels or a plastic glide under tires when winching it up onto a flatbed).

mach4 · #7 06-03-2016, 04:17 PM

Kind of a pain, but I don't see why you couldn't just remove the driveshaft...or maybe just the rear flex disk.

jay_bob · #8 06-03-2016, 05:14 PM

The 98 and 99 with the Smart Key have a Bowden cable interlock between the key switch and the transmission. It does not connect to the shifter like the 124 system. It dives into the tunnel and goes into the transmission.

There is a solenoid on the shifter but that is to prevent you from going into R or P while at speed. It is called the R/P Lock Solenoid. The thing that prevents you from shifting out of park is buried on the transmission on a 98 or 99 210. In 2000 they went to the D+/- shifter instead of the PRND4321, the 2000 and up shifter has the emergency hole.

There is a Bowden cable between the brake pedal and the transmission to prevent you from coming out of park without your foot on the brake (the Audi 5000 interlock).

I think you are hosed, the best thing to do is let the tow operator use his bag of tricks to drag it up on the flat bed. At least not without major disassembly.

If you want to try forcing the switch to transmission Bowden then drop the lower trim under the drivers side, carefully turn the lock ring (Baum makes a tool that looks like the Rook in chess) or use a small screwdriver to rotate the ring. Drop out the key switch and unclip the Bowden cable. You should be able to pull on it to unlock the shifter.

I just went through all this when I redid the evaporator on my 210 so I just saw it all last week.

97 SL320 · #9 06-03-2016, 08:25 PM

The cable makes a stop at the brake pedal giving easy access.

bsmuwk · #10 06-03-2016, 08:32 PM

it takes 5 minutes to crawl under the car and pop the shifter linkage off and put the trans into neutral manually.

ROLLGUY · #11 06-03-2016, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmuwk

it takes 5 minutes to crawl under the car and pop the shifter linkage off and put the trans into neutral manually.

X2

jay_bob · #12 06-04-2016, 08:30 AM

I found the link to the operation of the 210 shift interlock.

Shift Interlock

The best approach is to get under the dash board and find the Bowden cable that heads toward the center. This cable needs to be disengaged from the brake pedal mechanism and allowed to relax. This drops out the latch lever (item 4 in the pictures) and allows you to shift to N.

If you look at this picture from my evaporator job you can see the cable going into the tunnel through a grommet just ahead of the air bag controller.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/atp58cs35nkr20w/2016-05-19%2012.22.17.jpg?dl=0

I'm pretty sure this detent plate and latch lever are inside the transmission so just unhooking the shifter under the car won't work.

shertex · #13 06-04-2016, 01:40 PM

For whatever reason the shift interlock on my 98 has never worked. I've pointed out to my son the potential danger (he's the daily driver) but this thread makes me glad it doesn't work.

97 SL320 · #14 06-04-2016, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmuwk

it takes 5 minutes to crawl under the car and pop the shifter linkage off and put the trans into neutral manually.

That won't work on the car in question as it seems to have the interlock in the transmission. The 722.6 was originally designed that way for 96 model year. Besides, getting the clip off the linkage is difficult due to space constraints. Pulling the hush panel from under the dash gives access to the interlock cable at the brake pedal.

Quote:

shertex For whatever reason the shift interlock on my 98 has never worked. I've pointed out to my son the potential danger (he's the daily driver) but this thread makes me glad it doesn't work.

That's more dangerous than an old style non foot brake interlock gear shifter. The spring that keeps the shifter in park is pretty weak, it does not take much to reach for something across the car and pull it out of park. The parking brake will hold but that assumes it is being used.

bsmuwk · #15 06-04-2016, 08:22 PM

There is NO interlock in the transmission itself. There are no space constraints with any clips either. Just reach up near the center of the car and remove the linkage from the shifter assembly. Plenty of room to see and work. Literally takes 5 minutes and your biggest obstacle will be the driveshaft.

Those cables go to the ignition / brake pedal / shifter ONLY.

Many ways to do the same thing - I tend to not go through 30 steps for the same end goal. Carry on and good luck.