My C280 will not shift out of 2nd gear. It hits hard on R and D when I shift out of park. I noticed the day before this happened that the car did not downshift properly a couple of times. I also had a exterior lamp failure light come on in my dash a couple of times about a week or 2 ago..with no light out...I don't know if this could in any way be related. I had a shop run diagnostics and they said it showed an O2 sensor problem and a turbo-turbine problem...but my car is not turbocharged. They seem to think the O2 sensor is not the problem and are going to replace the "range selector switch". Has anyone had any similar problems? Any help would be much appreciated.

What's the age of the battery? Sounds like the shop could be expensive if they are going to throw parts at the problem until something works. I can't tell you exactly what the codes are teling you, but a shop ought to be able to. On your light bulb out, did you check your brake lights? Need two people for that.

Len

I had a friend check all the lights. Not sure of the battery age...I bought the car used about 5 months ago with 57,000 miles. Could an old battery cause the car to limp home? Thanks a lot.

Battery can cause lots of problems. There is a date code on the battery. If it's more than five years old, I'd say change it and see what you've got.

Len

There are 96 transmission codes that could be scanned from the trans computer, HAVE that & the traction systems scanned!!!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

You need a mechanic with the SDS system, and as MB DOC stated, have the trans codes read. The mechanic will be able to read the codes and the adaptation values for the trans, and that will be very helpful. The early 722.6's often have conductor plate failures, valve body failures and ETC units can go bad as well. Has the trans been updated at all?

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

i dont know if there were any transmission updates. so the transmission has its own control system and codes? my mechanic wants to try that one sensor and then send it to the transmission shop....i guess he hasn't run those codes?

Is that at his expense? Throwing parts at an undiagnosed problem is very expensive. Don't do it on your dime.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

In case anyone is interested, my mechanic replaced the "gear selector switch" located under the center console. Part was $85 but they spent 5 labor hours on it. He said it is common for someone to spill a drink in the center console and fry the switch...even though I do not think I did that. The car shifts fine now though. Hope this can help someone.

Well the car ran perfectly for 2 weeks and then stuck in 2nd gear again after some weird shifting that day. The mechanic claims the car needed the part he fixed at which point I decided to just bite the bullet and take it to the dealership. The dealership replaces the entire shifter for $780 and guaranteed me that was the problem. The car drove flawlessly for 10 days and now guess what....it stuck in a gear and the way back from the store tonight. What are my options here?? Have any of you guys heard of something like this? Does the dealership have any kind of liablilty as far as refunding me for the useless repair? I can't handle much more of this. I am about to drive it back up there and leave it but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

__________________
'98 C280

Birmingham, AL