Gear Stick Stuck In Park

[Caribbeanwind]

My W210 (E280 05/2000) has an intermittent fault when the gearstick won't shift out of park. This usually occurrs when it has been stood overnight or for some hours at least.

I have replaced the brake light switch with a genuine Merc item asI believe this is a common problem but it still persists.

The gearstick doesn't always stick but when it does I have been getting round it by sticking a pen in the little hole to override the interlock but really need it sorting.

Has anyone got any ideas as to another cause for this other than the switch please? Cheers

 

[Chas]

I suspect you will need a new gear selector as per my 2001 S Class

Cost me about £600 five years ago at MB dealer garage

 

[television]

Could be a CAN fault, the 220 and the 230 are known for this and it is different to the 210

 

[Caribbeanwind]

Could be a CAN fault, the 220 and the 230 are known for this and it is different to the 210

Thanks for the replies!

What is a CAN fault please?

 

[television]

CAN is data signals that are sent round the car, the car needs to know that it is OK to go to D or R and this signal is not getting through, its a speed signal in this particular case, and its a known fault that a fault in the brake lamp switch kills off the speed signal within a ECU, I think the car should go on STAR to see

 

[Cole@MBS]

9 times out of 10 its the start of the selector module going down.......

 

[television]

So this is an electronic fault rather than the mechanical fault on the 220/230

 

[Caribbeanwind]

I also notice that a good indication that the gear stick will not move is that when I turn the ignition key in order to start the car there is a pause before the starter motor starts to turn over. It's almost as if the ECU is carrying out a system check and it doesn't like some of the information it receives so it has a think about it before allowing the starter to turn. Does this information help in the diagnosis?

 

[television]

I also notice that a good indication that the gear stick will not move is that when I turn the ignition key in order to start the car there is a pause before the starter motor starts to turn over. It's almost as if the ECU is carrying out a system check and it doesn't like some of the information it receives so it has a think about it before allowing the starter to turn. Does this information help in the diagnosis?

Yes that fits, again the the CAN master is sending out a signal, "is it ok to start"

 

[Frontstep]

This is quite interesting
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...FBF92464B24FF26164E2EB10B4289DE44&FORM=IDFRIR

 

[television]

This is quite interesting
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...FBF92464B24FF26164E2EB10B4289DE44&FORM=IDFRIR

Thats a good way to do it thanks

 

[Caribbeanwind]

UPDATE:

First I would like to thank everyone for their responses! Cheers.

1: After the post from Frontstep I took a can of compressed air (air duster) and sprayed around the gearstick whilst pulling back the cover to try and blow any dirt or dust out that may be causing an issue. Dubious I know; but worth a shot I thought!

2: I took the car to my local MB Specialist (Auto Elite of Hull) whom put it on STAR. There were several CAN faults as Television suspected but Auto Elite said that nothing else gave a direct cause, so nothing pointing to the gearbox selector, at present at least.

3: Auto Elite unplugged the electrical connection to the gearbox and found a little moisture but they were sure not enough to cause the error. They did clean the plug, spray it with contact cleaner and refit it.

4: Auto Elite cleared all the fault on STAR and advised me to return if and when it happened again to stick the car on STAR and see what comes up.

The outcome of all this would lead me to believe it is either a CAN error or perhaps I do need a new gearbox selector as suggested above.

I can also highly recommend Auto Elite they are very friendly, seem to know their stuff, and didn't try to rip me off. I will definately use again and I highly recommend them.

I will keep updating this thread as an when anything new developes.

Thanks all!

 

[Caribbeanwind]

Update:

The car has ran fine until yesterday. 10 miles into the 28 mile journey to work I tried to use the tip function to drop the gearbox from top gear into 3rd gear but the box was unresponsive. Indeed, I quickly realise that the kickdown was also unresponsive and infact the car was stuck in 5th gear. About a mile from work I pulled over and turned the ignition off in the hope that it would clear the fault but to no avail. When I started the car it was again stuck in park, I did get it to shift into drive using the interlock overide, but now the gearbox was stuck in 2nd gear. I took it straight to Auto Elite in Hull and they have diagnosed a gearbox selector unit requires replacing. I hope this update helps someone!

 

[HERBIEMERCMAN]

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=106468


hi caribbeanwind, i had the same problem on my car some weeks back, the selector module / swiper switch costs £70 inc. vat at mb. takes one hour to fit. see my link. herbiemercman.

 

[Chas]

Mine cost £500, £350 for module and 2 hours labour, 6 years ago


http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=20836



http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showpost.php?p=934467&postcount=2

 

[Caribbeanwind]

A new gearbox selector was fitted by Auto Elite at £331 + VAT for the part, 1.5 hours labour (at £50 ph + VAT) and £30 + VAT for the diagnostic. This gave a grand total of £523, I do hope this probably goes away now!

 

[HERBIEMERCMAN]

why is the selector module so expensive four times dearer than the same part for the w210. ? herbiemercman.

 

[enigma9]

hi all new to this site anyway e240 2000 left it sitting for 5 days over christmas.started up no problem but will not shift out of p unless pen is stuck in you know where .ok replaced brake switch still the same it does this every morning then its ok .bas light is on and abs and now when i put the key in the drivers window goes down i read somewhere bad battery may cause this???

 

[television]

You do need to measure the voltage, if the battery is too low the ECU's cannot set correctly,,, often after a start and a run if you restart and the fault go away then battery low, possible a damaged cell

 

[enigma9]

thanks for reply television ok i will check battery on monday but it seems to crank the engine over no prob !!