I have a year 2000 C230 with automatic transmission. The car has less than 4000 miles. When I started to drive yesterday, it stuck in first gear and several warning lights came on. Those lights are: BAS, ASP, The brake wear symbol, Brake and Check Engine. After several times stopping and turning the engine off it returned to normal operation. The check Engine light stayed until stopped and restarted the engine. The gears were shifting normally Today this repeated again. I would be grateful if someone could tell me the possible cause and the fixing.

Two possibilities.
1. Faulty Brakelight Switch. If it sticks ( in or out ) replace it. $ 20.00
2. Start the car and turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, hold for 3-4 seconds and then turn it all the way to the right and hold it for 3-4 seconds.
See what happens.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

Hi Manny,
Thank you for taking your time and giving me your advice! I did turned the wheels as you instructed me. Basically nothing happened. But, this moment, the car drives good (I drove it) although the "Check Engine" light stayed on. This was the situation yesterday too, and the light goes off after a while. The brakes work fine, there is no problem there. I thought that I use the car too little (7 years old and has no 4 K miles just jet) is the problem thus (as I promised to my wife) I thought to use the darn thing more. I service it very nicely (myself) regardless of the mileage, the synthetic oil was changed 11 times and the MB coolant annually but the transmission is the kind what you do not needed to change the fluid. The car is in the garage - covered - washed three times in the seven years still not dirty (California car - you know, but I do understand that by time things goes wrong. Especially with the MB. Looks to me that better if I take it to a service station (not the dealers' though - biggest in the US but lost a nice lawsuit because they used mineral oil (!) instead of the synthetic, - with nationwide ramifications!
Thank again being helpful!
Paul

What is the history of the cars battery? is it the original?

An old battery that is down can cause all kinds of weird problems,

Hi Ethan,
Thank you for your reply! The battery is ca. 3 years old, the replacement is factory original. I brought the car today to a MB service shop. The verdict is that the Speed Sensor went bad, which prevents the vehicle to shift to upper gear as a pre-caution. About $400.00 what I am going to leave with them when is ready. Again, thank you for your letter,
Paul

That's exactly what happend to my 97 C230 the rear speed sensors were bad. I was ready for a transmission swap, Got the car cheap due to this 'non' shifting problem. Drove the car from San Diego CA to Texas no problems.

Hi Sdpartz,
Thank you for your answer! The problem is fixed as I have mentioned in my previous posting. I disagree with those who are thinking of the battery or charging (alternator) related faults because of the warning lights. I drove the car today and it is fine now. The simple fact is that the sensor's fault results as a mechanical fault = protects the transmission and therefore leaves in lower (2nd I think) gear. Too much probably, but it might be preventive in case you are starting to fry the transmission. That is a costly part. Thank you again for your comment!
Paul

Look at it this way, Now you have the coveted "First Gear Start" option...LOL

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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

I have a 2000 C230 I put the pen in the gear shift lock to unlock it (why I don't Know) and drive but it now won't shift out of first gear is there a sensor on the trans I'am missing??? My blower motor is also messed up the brushes are bad can I take it to a electric motor place to fix it or will they laugh at me?? Anyony who knows of a electric shop that is good in the DALLAS area please let me know. Gas prices are killing me in me other car

Hi Makpatti,
In case you tried to disengage the shifter when it was working correctly, start up the engine, steer the wheel to the left until it does not move further. Hold it there for ten seconds. Then steer to the right and hold it there for ten seconds. Turn off the engine. Restart the engine. The shifter should work properly. I am far away from Dallas in another state, thus cannot recommend you repair shop. However, the shop should never laugh at customers who pays for their living. Before you choose a shop think twice; are they going to be able to fix your car or damaging it because of the lack of understanding a more sophisticated car like yours? Therefore, ultimately the MB dealer’s shop should not be tossed out from your plan. Dallas might be a big enough town though that you could find an independent MB repair shop.

Thanks Paul people are telling me pull codes for trans and shifter when I go to auto zone to use there scanner will that one pull it?? and people talk about speed sensor on trans.

Hi again Markpatti,
Unfortunately the cars from the earlier part of the 90's are all have computer diagnostic readers. In another word, if you do not have that and you are not an expert, you cannot do much, - must leave it to those who know a bit better. The codes - the numbers what the diagnostic scanners are reading - are to be interpreted according to the service manuals. The Mercedes was cleaver enough that only the Mercedes diagnostic scanners can read and clear their codes properly. What it means is that only (!!!) the official Mercedes dealerships have the right and proper scanners! No other scanner can clear the car computer even though the reader saying that the memory is clear. It is not!!! You must clear the computer in order to have the right operation after the repair. So, I sincerely believe that in your case - just like mine was - you waste time and money by not going to the dealer! I know (believe me I do!) that it is going to be a painfully expensive experience but you have no other way to fix this problem. I do hope that you see my point.
Paul