e240 gear indicator/starting problems

[xlr8urpen15]

after reading many threads i'm still unable to find out what is wrong with my fathers w reg e240, sorry don't know which model.

its symptoms are as follows;

gear indicator on instrument panel doesn't register any of the gears regardless of shifting through the box

car will not start

i hope someone can help as my fathers car is sitting doing nothing and i'm sure you will all agreed, thats a waste of a lovely car.

thank you

 

[jberks]

Will it spin and not fire or won't it spin?

 

[xlr8urpen15]

it won't turn over at all

 

[type49]

If it doesn't know what gear it's in, it won't turn over in case it's not in park or neutral. Put ignition on & put it into reverse, do the reverse lights come on? If no lights on , you might be looking at a gear selector problem.

 

[television]

We do not even know if the battery is ok, if unsure of the gear, the position as far forward as possible is Park. do you have lights on the dash with key turned.

Malcolm

 

[xlr8urpen15]

thanks for replies.

everything functions as normal ie. lights on dashboard and reverse lights.

for some time my father has been using a screwdriver to push a small button in at the back of the gear stick so that he can start the car. by pushing this button it allows you to change through the gear box whilst the engine is off. i can't remember what caused him to resort to this but it has been a while.

unfortunately my father is the type of person who wants the car but doesn't want to pay mercedes service prices. i've enquired with a few local garages but no one has been able to offer any advice.

hope this is more helpful for you guys and thanks again.

 

[Blobcat]

That is the gearlever interlock, it looks as if you have a problem with the selector mechanism/switch/EIS. You need your foot on the brake and the ignition on (pos 2 I think) before you can move out of Park.

 

[xlr8urpen15]

i was wrong, the reverse lights are not coming on when you change through the box and into reverse.

if the problem lies with the gear selector, is this an expensive/difficult part to replace?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Only a dealer would think of replacing it. Its only circuitry, nothing exotic. It may be perfectly possible to repair it.