E320 W210 transmission issue - stuck in 1st? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Nautilus · #1 09-10-2008, 02:02 PM

Hello everyone

The transmission on our E320 4Matic (2001 model) has gone nuts today out of the blue:

- it appears to be stuck in 1st gear (it won't drive past 70 km/h regardless of rpm);
- the small display in the dash where the active gear is shown (P-R-N-D-4-3-2-1) shows nothing - completely yellow, no symbol;
- after driving with the lever in D it will go to N but not to R or P. After switching engine off, it does slide to R or P;
- R can be engaged from P and it will drive finely in reverse, then any position can be selected and the car will drive as usual, but no faster than 1st gear;
- manual selection doesn't appear to work, but without the small display I can't tell.

As the transmission worked as usual without any sign of bad shifting, hesitation, clunking etc previously, I find it hard to believe in a malfunction of the gears, valve body etc out of the blue, I suspect an electronic problem. (Some Cola had been spilled around the shifter recently).

The car will be subject to a dealer's inspection, to diagnose and hopefully solve the problem, together with other minor issues (sometimes it idles poorly, rear interior light does not function although bulbs are fine, one of the two ignition keys is burnt and has to be replaced etc etc). The transmission fluid will be also changed if it looks suspect upon inspection.

What should I expect, given that Romanian "stealers" are even more greedy than Western counterparts and will, most possibly, recommend transmission rebuilding?...

Thank you,

~Nautilus

TMAllison · #2 09-10-2008, 02:23 PM

Liquod in the electronic shifter is probably the problem. They're sensitive.

Nautilus · #3 09-10-2008, 02:34 PM

Electronic shifter = the box-like device around the selector lever? there was no sticky residue on and around it, only a bucketload of dust and fluff

~Nautilus

Matt L · #4 09-10-2008, 02:46 PM

Transmission fluid in the TCM works wonders too. Check for that.

nckmsn · #5 09-12-2008, 12:30 AM

How many miles on the car

Nautilus · #6 09-12-2008, 03:36 PM

Converted from kilometers to miles about 125,000

~Nautilus

stevebfl · #7 09-13-2008, 01:30 PM

The first thing to do is to ask it what is wrong.

Nautilus · #8 09-24-2008, 12:20 PM

Dealers inspected the car yesterday, fixed the gear selector and recommended the change of:

- electronic gear selector;
- engine ECU;
- full exhaust together with catalytic converter;
- Lambda sensors;
- cylinder #2 ignition coil pack;
- spark plugs;
- window regulator and motor;
- other minor things.

Total amount if the job was done could have hit $5000 easily.

Now, I understand they have to make a living and that ignition coil and gear selector can be necessary, but changing the ECU and full exhaust of an engine which runs well does sound a bit like robbing the customer, leave alone the spark plugs which have been changed barely 10,000kms ago

~Nautilus

PS they said nothing of transmission rebuilding or fluid change, though

Nautilus · #9 10-30-2008, 04:50 AM

After some more problems (stopping in traffic, impossible to start again, slight rattles at idle) went to the dealer. The following parts were changed:

- Electronic Gear Selector
- Crankshaft Position Sensor
- all 12 sparkplugs (there were barely 11,000kms on them, but dealer insisted all should be changed)
- Cylinder #2 ignition coil;
- 4 spark plug wires
- engine hood release cable and handle.

Total costs (including labor and taxes): $2035

Sparkplugs were clearly overpriced, most possibly all parts were much more expensive than counterparts bought from a shop

Dealer offered 2 year warranty for the repair

~Nautilus