no power to the wheels; transmission issue?
 

hi-
i could use some help/thoughts/insight. my 1992 500sl, 136k, just stranded me today. symptom: was driving home tonight and in the middle of traffic the car initially had little forward motion, couldn't maintain any decent speed, and then no forward motion at all. all in the matter of 3-4 minutes. fortunately i was able to pull off to a parking lot. additional symptoms:
-no forward or reverse.
-nuetral seems fine (i moved the car a foot or two and it was towed without issue)
-engine starts and runs fine, no idiot lights on after engine start.
-all temp/oil specs are fine.
-check tranny fluid, all good.
-heard some sort of "noise' for 15-20sec when moved shifter from park-drive-and back to park but then it would go away
-car doesn't seem to 'recongnize' park position since i can't raise the softtop

any and all help is appreciated as the car is now at mercedes and id like to get some perspective beofr they call with a diagnosis.....i suspect big $$$


thanks

-andy

well, your convertible top symptom is a little strange, since I guess that takes its cue from the shifter position via the neutral safety switch. Losing the transmission while you're driving along happily eliminates the shifter. Strange combination - maybe there's a coincidence, or maybe the signal is from elsewhere. (or maybe the SL has some shifter arrangement I don't have a clue about). Either way, fully check out the shifter and linkage before tossing $ at the tranny.
Losing all gears with full fluid sounds to me most likely the torque converter. Otherwise, broken input shaft, but I think you would have had some noise, plus it went at least somewhat gradually.

Hey,

I have a 1985 MB, 300D Turbo. I had the same exact issue about 3 weeks ago. Driving home and then nothing. Turns out to be the outplut flange and the nut. The nut came loose which "disengaged" the driveshaft. I was ready to pull the transmission. I would check that first. I learned my lesson. Hope this helps.

"noise" is in quotation marks. What was this noise?

Hmm
 

This thread may have your answer.

Transmission Problem & Fix
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=2750622





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