E320 Stuck in Park

[High-Lo]

My facelift 2000 W210 E320 is stuck in park. It does work on occasions but nine times out of ten, the display which shows what gear you are in is just showing a square block. I haven't spilled anything inside the car either although the problem first occurred after a night of heavy rain (I don't have a sunroof either )

After searching around for info, I have already replaced the brake light switch which made no difference. The car still works intermittently but rarely. This evening I switched on the car and left it idling for a couple of minutes, and the 'P' suddenly showed on the dash display. If that happens I am able to shift it out of park without issues and it drives 100% fine after that.

So now I am left with a car in limp mode, which I have to insert my pen in the hole to release the lever from Park.

Any ideas of anything I can check before trying the dealers?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

[colechelle]

there was a fault with oil getting into the gear selector module and ecu on the 210, try a search, see whet you get!!!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

My facelift 2000 W210 E320 is stuck in park. It does work on occasions but nine times out of ten, the display which shows what gear you are in is just showing a square block. I haven't spilled anything inside the car either although the problem first occurred after a night of heavy rain (I don't have a sunroof either )

After searching around for info, I have already replaced the brake light switch which made no difference. The car still works intermittently but rarely. This evening I switched on the car and left it idling for a couple of minutes, and the 'P' suddenly showed on the dash display. If that happens I am able to shift it out of park without issues and it drives 100% fine after that.

So now I am left with a car in limp mode, which I have to insert my pen in the hole to release the lever from Park.

Any ideas of anything I can check before trying the dealers?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

Helen (100% Bitch) had a similar problem. Had it fixed under warranty, otherwise would have cost her lots of £££'s. Sorry to say, it doesn't seem a cheap fix

 

[television]

Could be an EIS fault or gear module see what I can find in the morning

 

[High-Lo]

Thanks for your suggestions so far

 

[television]

It is possible that the shift lock is not releasing as the cable from the shift lock is not set up correctly, if the steering lock releases as soon as the key is put in then it should not be the switch. Do make sure that the red lens on the key and at the bottom of the key switch is clean so that it gets a good signal

 

[High-Lo]

It is possible that the shift lock is not releasing as the cable from the shift lock is not set up correctly, if the steering lock releases as soon as the key is put in then it should not be the switch. Do make sure that the red lens on the key and at the bottom of the key switch is clean so that it gets a good signal

Thanks Malcolm. The steering lock releases as soon as the key is put in. The red lens on both sides seems to be clean too. Strangely, the problem has not happened today. It has been a problem for a few weeks but today it has worked 9 out of 10 times. I'm hoping that this problem may not be too costly and its just that a component needs cleaning or something.

A forum member who had exactly the same symptoms as mine had his problem diagnosed as a faulty gearbox selector sensor which was fixed at a main dealer at the cost of £800 inclusive.

I guess that will be the worst case scenario

 

[television]

As I understand it the modules can be re programmed , another unknown one is water in the electrics and this can give funny faults and go away on its own, often it is just the cable adjustment on the gear shift

I may have some details somewhere on how to set it

 

[High-Lo]

I might go out for an hours drive to see if the problem can dry out (assuming its water in the electrics). Can't go too far though in case I have to limp home :???:

 

[High-Lo]

Strangely, the car has been working fine the last couple of days. The 'P' shows on the dash display immediately after I turn the key. I just hope that it stays that way. Am I kidding myself that this was just a temporary glitch? :???:

 

[television]

Strangely, the car has been working fine the last couple of days. The 'P' shows on the dash display immediately after I turn the key. I just hope that it stays that way. Am I kidding myself that this was just a temporary glitch? :???:

The amount of rain that we have had this year does not help,,my car was doing all kinds of stupid things due to corrosion in one of the SAM connectors

 

[High-Lo]

Just to update you on this, I managed to find a Gear Selector Module being sold on eBay by a breakers for £50. Checked the part number against mine and it was identical so I made an offer of £30 which got accepted.

A bit dirty when it arrived but it cleaned up OK and the bits that are visible look OK. Fitted it this evening and problem solved :bannana:

So total spend was about £50 which included replacing the brake light switch. Very pleased with myself as I would have paid hundreds more had I bought the part from the dealer including diagnosing the fault.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I just love it when a plan comes together