Help please - this isn't straightforward

[sheila]

i had a problem with my 2004 220 CDI gearbox nearly three years ago, it stopped going through the gears intermittently, the mechanic tried a few cheaper things and ended up changing the gearbox oil and filter. The car then ran well for 2 1/2 years and has started again but it is worse. i put it in for a diagnostic at a different garage and they said there were all sorts of error numbers coming up and there was a communication problem in the engine, and as there are 172000 miles on it they did not feel it was worth lashing money at it.

I love my car but was getting stressed never knowing whether i was going to get on my journey without being stuck in first gear so put it up for sale on spares and repairs stating what the problem was.
Someone got in touch and said they had the same problem and changed the gear selector and they got another 4 years out of their car. Anyway i got one from a car breakers and had it fitted it and it was perfect for 2 months..... until a few days ago. I actually wonder whether it is that it needs the oil changing again, the man who did the diagnostic said it was quite black.... but i think it is more a sensor or something that is locking or jamming or sending the wrong message.... i stopped and started my engine at least 30 times (taking the keys out each time) and it wouldn't come out of first gear, however the next time i tried it there was a funny little noise like something resetting itself and the boot lid opened (a quirk since i bought the car) and when i tried it the car started with the P displaying and it got me home no problem. Just got in the car again 2 days later and there is no display of P and it wont come out of first.
i am so sorry for the long message but wanted to try and give some history to it, is there an easy fix please or is it time to finally say goodbye. The bodywork is fantastic, seems such a shame, had it for 10 years and would keep it for 10 more if i could.

 

[dry run]

You'll likely get this answer from everyone on here: -

Take it to a local mercedes specialist that has STAR and knows how to use it.

 

[alexanderfoti]

i had a problem with my 2004 220 CDI gearbox nearly three years ago, it stopped going through the gears intermittently, the mechanic tried a few cheaper things and ended up changing the gearbox oil and filter. The car then ran well for 2 1/2 years and has started again but it is worse. i put it in for a diagnostic at a different garage and they said there were all sorts of error numbers coming up and there was a communication problem in the engine, and as there are 172000 miles on it they did not feel it was worth lashing money at it.

I love my car but was getting stressed never knowing whether i was going to get on my journey without being stuck in first gear so put it up for sale on spares and repairs stating what the problem was.
Someone got in touch and said they had the same problem and changed the gear selector and they got another 4 years out of their car. Anyway i got one from a car breakers and had it fitted it and it was perfect for 2 months..... until a few days ago. I actually wonder whether it is that it needs the oil changing again, the man who did the diagnostic said it was quite black.... but i think it is more a sensor or something that is locking or jamming or sending the wrong message.... i stopped and started my engine at least 30 times (taking the keys out each time) and it wouldn't come out of first gear, however the next time i tried it there was a funny little noise like something resetting itself and the boot lid opened (a quirk since i bought the car) and when i tried it the car started with the P displaying and it got me home no problem. Just got in the car again 2 days later and there is no display of P and it wont come out of first.
i am so sorry for the long message but wanted to try and give some history to it, is there an easy fix please or is it time to finally say goodbye. The bodywork is fantastic, seems such a shame, had it for 10 years and would keep it for 10 more if i could.

It probably needs a selector module (especially if your missing the selection display on the dash). A quick diagnostics with the right kit will confirm.

 

[sheila]

Thank you, I will look at that. The gear selector reading on the dash comes and goes. I know for sure the gears won't select when they don't show, but this morning it said D but was stuck in about third rather than first, now that's a new one today. Getting home it is stuck in first again with no dash reading.

 

[EmilysDad]

I'm sure there are other reputable independents near you, but the only one I know that is anywhere near you is MB Tech at Warrington (even that's not really that close). You might even be lucky enough get a Smart courtesy car

 

[mersum1es]

Codes could tell something more.... but saounds like selectro module. Check also no oil in TCU

 

[bob 6600]

I wonder if the pilot bush was changed when the oil and filter were changed?

 

[Paul Garrett]

i had a problem with my 2004 220 CDI gearbox nearly three years ago, it stopped going through the gears intermittently, the mechanic tried a few cheaper things and ended up changing the gearbox oil and filter. The car then ran well for 2 1/2 years and has started again but it is worse. i put it in for a diagnostic at a different garage and they said there were all sorts of error numbers coming up and there was a communication problem in the engine, and as there are 172000 miles on it they did not feel it was worth lashing money at it.

I love my car but was getting stressed never knowing whether i was going to get on my journey without being stuck in first gear so put it up for sale on spares and repairs stating what the problem was.
Someone got in touch and said they had the same problem and changed the gear selector and they got another 4 years out of their car. Anyway i got one from a car breakers and had it fitted it and it was perfect for 2 months..... until a few days ago. I actually wonder whether it is that it needs the oil changing again, the man who did the diagnostic said it was quite black.... but i think it is more a sensor or something that is locking or jamming or sending the wrong message.... i stopped and started my engine at least 30 times (taking the keys out each time) and it wouldn't come out of first gear, however the next time i tried it there was a funny little noise like something resetting itself and the boot lid opened (a quirk since i bought the car) and when i tried it the car started with the P displaying and it got me home no problem. Just got in the car again 2 days later and there is no display of P and it wont come out of first.
i am so sorry for the long message but wanted to try and give some history to it, is there an easy fix please or is it time to finally say goodbye. The bodywork is fantastic, seems such a shame, had it for 10 years and would keep it for 10 more if i could.

Hi Sheila i had the same problem with my W220 a few years ago when my transmission was getting stuck in first gear and no P on display, in the end i took it to an independent MB specialist who diagnosed it with a faulty gear selector,had to order from Stuttgart and had to prove i was owner with copies of my log book and drivers licence as it was a theft related part. Bill was £800 inc vat but been no problem since as they have the software to install and check so if you happy with your car and want to keep it then this could be the best option for you?

 

[Mercfan99]

''faulty gear selector'' was a theft related part ? or was you meaning service book/log book ?

 

[alexanderfoti]

''faulty gear selector'' was a theft related part ? or was you meaning service book/log book ?

One some cars it is (ones without steering locks) so W220/r230/215 and any cars with keyless go modules.

 

[Mercfan99]

Thanks alexanderfoti,

Can you tell i am not an expert. But, am i right in thinking this is some kind of electronic module that's being/been stolen.If so what models are thieves targeting?

 

[Paul Garrett]

''faulty gear selector'' was a theft related part ? or was you meaning service book/log book ?

No the gear selector was a theft related part as they would not send out new one without proof of ownership,

 

[Botus]

why not start at the beginning...

in Merc world, a theft relevant part, its an standard electronic element of the vehicle, that must be operating correctly for the vehicle to be started and or driven. As such it has unique vehicle identifier software info, stored in it. This becomes an integral element of the start authority for the vehicle's immobiliser system...

what this really means is... to ensure Merc dealers make lots of money, and far more importantly we can trace the effectiveness of our designed to fail build quality, we intentionally designed the vehicle to be difficult to work on, so only franchised garages undertake certain work. And in doing so they must regularly plug it in to Merc germany, so we can check they are breaking at the correct rate, (with the related link to increased car sales...)

But the EU anti-monopoly / fair competitions bods, put a spanner in the ointment and declared third party tools must be available to do all work on the vehicles. Unfortunately this has seen an explosion of car theft as they can now chop and change stolen parts and write immobiliser info to blank keys etc.

So to get around the anti-competitions element, they now pretend they are trying to address the theft problem... When really its only about main dealer making money and tracing the failure mode, frequency and time to death that the accountants need. So now they try and stop owners, independent garages or even ex main dealer trained tech's doing certain work by making it so that some parts can only be purchased within the Mercedes dealer network. And they will not sell to the owner, even where they know if its your car and its broken, and you take the relevant ownership documentation.

The end result means with the amount of software hacking out there, the criminals know how to do everything, they steal as much as they like, this gets cars sales up and helps the accountants, the only person missing out is the legitimate owner... and he's having marketing diatribe sold to him, that these theft relevant parts are there to help by making it more secure

 

[sheila]

Hi Sheila i had the same problem with my W220 a few years ago when my transmission was getting stuck in first gear and no P on display, in the end i took it to an independent MB specialist who diagnosed it with a faulty gear selector,had to order from Stuttgart and had to prove i was owner with copies of my log book and drivers licence as it was a theft related part. Bill was £800 inc vat but been no problem since as they have the software to install and check so if you happy with your car and want to keep it then this could be the best option for you?

Ah thank you Paul. i did change the gear selector but it was bought from a car breakers, but it has only lasted for 2 months fault free. The place i took it to for the diagnostic was an independent MB approved garage, but maybe i should take it somewhere else and see what they say. it's a shame they couldn't remove the gear selector to test it. Thanks so much for responding.

 

[sheila]

I wonder if the pilot bush was changed when the oil and filter were changed?

They didn't say it had been so i would say definitely no. Do you think that could be the problem, would it cause these issues?

 

[sheila]

Codes could tell something more.... but saounds like selectro module. Check also no oil in TCU

Oil in TCU, is that something i can do or does it need to be a mechanic? many thanks for your response.

 

[Paul Garrett]

Ah thank you Paul. i did change the gear selector but it was bought from a car breakers, but it has only lasted for 2 months fault free. The place i took it to for the diagnostic was an independent MB approved garage, but maybe i should take it somewhere else and see what they say. it's a shame they couldn't remove the gear selector to test it. Thanks so much for responding.

Hi Sheila it is a bit of a minefield as you have prob read the other guys responses , a second hand unit is a gamble but if you can find a MB indy who can use their software to test it hopefuily they will find the fault and tell you whats needs to be sorted, if it needs a new selector ( not a bo selector of course!) Then you might have to cough up if you want to keep ypur car , my indy plugged thieir laptop into my transmission and came up with code faults straight away

 

[sheila]

I'm sure there are other reputable independents near you, but the only one I know that is anywhere near you is MB Tech at Warrington (even that's not really that close). You might even be lucky enough get a Smart courtesy car

Thank you for responding. I will have a look around for anything closer, but that's an option.

 

[sheila]

You'll likely get this answer from everyone on here: -

Take it to a local mercedes specialist that has STAR and knows how to use it.

thank you.

 

[sheila]

It probably needs a selector module (especially if your missing the selection display on the dash). A quick diagnostics with the right kit will confirm.

Thank you, looks like i got a duffer from the breakers yard.