Gearbox woes!!

[Alexsdad]

Hi All.

But if a lengthy read here, need advice on the cause though…

Drove my olde 2005 E320 CDi yesterday, and after a 20 mile journey got back to the car, started it, put it in D and off I went. The car was stuck in 1st gear. I noticed the D symbol & the S symbol either side of the odometer reader weren’t showing. I stopped the car, and I could go from D to N, but not up to P. If I put it in N took my foot off the brake pedal, and depressed the handbrake the selector would go into R and P.

I switched off the engine, restarted, and same thing again. Tried multiple times. Had to drive back 12 miles in 1st gear, stopping often, (engine off, restart) still the same. Then on stop number teen-something the issue seemed to sort itself out, started the car, D and S appeared on the console, selected D, and drove the remaining 6 miles home with no problems. Anyone have this happen to their car? I don’t know what the issue is, obviously need to get it sorted though. One thing I do know is driving 12 miles at 20mph was boring as hell!!

 

[Jim2]

1st action, get it scanned ( assuming that it has the OBD socket) which I think it will have. That will put you on the right path, then based on the results, decide what to do.

 

[Wighty]

A visit to Alex Crow may be on the cards

 

[mioba]

A visit to Alex Crow may be on the cards

need to send the OP further afield for a drive in 1st gear

But as said Alex Crow is near you.

 

[Alexsdad]

Yeah, will go and have a chat with Alex Crow, and go from there with it. Didn’t know if anyone else on here ever had the same issue, and what to cause might have been.

 

[Wighty]

Yeah, will go and have a chat with Alex Crow, and go from there with it. Didn’t know if anyone else on here ever had the same issue, and what to cause might have been.

If you buy an icarsoft MB2 that might narrow it down , but check if icarsoft can plug into some older cars ?

 

[Jim2]

If you buy an icarsoft MB2 that might narrow it down , but check if icarsoft can plug into some older cars ?

If it has an OBD reader, then it will read , While nor 200% certain, I'm pretty sure it was available in 2005.

 

[LostKiwi]

iCarsoft will read a 2005 car no problems at all.

Might be worth checking for oil in the harness to the transmission ECU as this is relatively common and can cause a few strange things.

 

[mioba]

iCarsoft will read a 2005 car no problems at all.

Might be worth checking for oil in the harness to the transmission ECU as this is relatively common and can cause a few strange things.

The seal should be replaced at gbox service time, often overlooked

 

[Jim2]

The seal should be replaced at gbox service time, often overlooked

Yes, and it can be tricky..13 fine pins to line up, and it's a tight fit.

 

[ajlsl600]

D

iCarsoft will read a 2005 car no problems at all.

Might be worth checking for oil in the harness to the transmission ECU as this is relatively common and can cause a few strange things.

Thats why 20 Yr old clk went. Was no issue but saw oil in. Ps front well harness . Thought I wud give that drama a miss.
Hated parting but there a time for all., sadly incl us

 

[Alexsdad]

Ok, quick update on the olde gearbox drama. Plugged in my reader and got a fault of P0705 transmission range sensor A circuit PRNDL input.

I reset the fault, and the car drove fine for around 3 miles. Switched it off, went back to it after 10 minutes, and once again showing P on the display, will go into D, and stuck in first gear, will not shift past N until foot is taken off the foot brake, and the handbrake is applied. Has anyone every changed one of these range sensors? Don’t even know where to find it??

Don’t know what’s best tbh, start throwing parts at it myself, or just limp it to a garage and see why they think??