Limp Home Mode
 

My 1998 ML320 is not shifting gear. It won't allow me to pass 45-50 miles/hr. And I also have a CHECK ENGINE LIGHT signal on. It does it most of the time, but sometime it drive normally.
Can anybody please tell me what I should do?

You can start by reading the codes.

Tank
 

Tank For Answering. But How Do I Read The Codes? Do I Need To Go To A Mercedes Store?

Autozone and such will read codes for free for you, but I'm not sure that they can access all the transmission codes. I'd start with them though and see what they produce. Does it stay in the limp home mode after shutting the engine off and restarting? Has the transmission ever been serviced? Do you have the dipstick to check your fluid level?

Len

Thanks
 

Thank you all for helping me out. The car has 112,000 miles on it and I never took it for a transmission service. I only had the car for 2 years now. The car stays on Limp Home Mode after restarting but sometime it doesn't. I don't have the dipstick so I think i'll just take it to Autozone and then somewhere to have the trans fluid replaced.

limp mode
 

common problem with these cars.below the trans shift lever is a recognition switch which has probably been given a drink of coke or coffee.if you have this switch replaced and the codes in the trans computer erased you should be fine. david poole owner european performance dallas tx.

To David
 

Thanks David, is there another name for that "recognition switch"? Because nobody seems to know what it is...

could be liquid induced shifter failure but that usually produces a fault all the time. more likely after codes are read you'll find you'll need to replace the shift plate on the valve body. also possible the mass air flow meter could be malfunctioning. of course anything is possible. READ THE CODES FIRST then report.

P0700
 

I replaced the AIR MASS SENSOR and the EGR VALVE , pieand Gasket and then went to Autozone for scanning. The Check Eng light is still on, the car still won't pass the 2nd Gear and I also have a P0700 (Trans Control Sys Malfunction) code on. My biggest problem is the shifting Gear problem, what should I do about it. Also, is there a way to get ride of the check engine light without having to send the car to a Mercedes store?

Why are people so reluctant to see a dealer?

MB dealers aren't like FORD or GM dealers. Their mechanics are, for the most part, COMPETENT. You have a very expensive auto and you should take it to someone who knows what the hell they are doing to fix it. Instead of throwing parts at it - how much have you spent on parts so far? Take it to the dealer, at least let them evaluate it for you.

Tomguy
 

I did take my car to the MB dealer for these repairs and the problem is not solved yet. That's the reason why I don't trust them anymore!

see Battlecat 714
 

Take a look at my answer to Battlecat714 above. I'm no tranny expert but the similar problem in my son's car was easily fixed.

limp home
 

the part # for the recognition switch is 210-545-13-32 david poole tx