c320 tranny shifting problem
 

2002 c320, ~100k mile, tranny is shifting strange this morning. After coasting down a hill in nuetral, shifted into drive while doing about 15mph. I've donr this many times with no surprises. This morning tranny clutched hard, I continued on to freeway and noticed tranny was in 4th and would not shift up, or down with shift lever sideways toggling. s/w switch would not work. Drove to work, 50 miles in 4th. No other issues. Afraid to pull over or slow to a stop. I had a Ford tranny breakup inswide once.

Close to work, pulled over, tranny lever would not move past nuetral into park. S/W would not change. Pressed break and lever was allowed to go into park. shut off motor. Went into store and got a crusant. Started car, s/w switch worked, tranny worked. Drove rest of 1 mile to work. At noon, ran errend. tranny shifted once or twice normally then stuck in 3rd. pulled over, lever would not go past neutral to park again. tried brake, worked again a;;owing shift lever to go past neutral into park. started motor and car shifter well for rest of errand.

On the way home after work. same issue: after a few good shifts tranny stopped on the way up in 3rd. Did the pull over, brake, restart thing. Tranny did well all the way home 50 miles with a gas stop.
Each time, the electric shifting switches won't work: s/w and the up/down functions.
any ideas?

My 2002 clk 320 did the same thing. The problem was the conductor plate. Replace that and your problem should go away. :D

On most automatic transmissions coasting in neutral is a bad idea. The front pump handles lubrication and with the car moving and the front pump at idle speed, lack of lubrication can become a problem.

What is the conductor plate? where is it?

I believe it controls the shifting, and it's located on the bottom of the tranny. There is a member here named Gilly, I suggest that you pm him. He is a great guy and will help you. :)

Surprise, it wasn't the conductor plate. Seems to be the shifter, but I'm pretty gun shy now.

Gilly should be able to help you on this one. :D

Got a used shifter From a C32. No more P0705, only have 50 miles on it but it seems to have fixed the problem. And the car must be faster now, must be that C32 shifter.

My 97 202 chassis was on its 2nd set of shifter bushings and 3rd conductor plate by 170k. Maintenance items on a 722.6. They'll handle the load forever though with reg "maint" and fluids.