Very Unusual Problem..Automatic Gear does not switch to R

htolerance

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Hello

I am suffering with my C200 CDI Auto 2005 facelift model.
The gear stacks D and does not switch to R. With a manual intervention(using a screw driver) I could change to R. Sometimes the car does not start, when the key is inserted, the display comes on and the gear display is blank on D area.

What could be the reason.

I appreciate your help.
Thanks in advance.

Hosgor
 

Uncle Benz

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Sounds like the gear selector module has failed. It's the complete gear lever assembly. They commonly stop communicating on the can bus.
 

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Yes ---- in the display is the selector ECU-
 
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htolerance

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Thank you for your response,
Could you please help me with more specific examples.
How should I search on youtube or online sources?
 

Uncle Benz

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Thank you for your response,
Could you please help me with more specific examples.
How should I search on youtube or online sources?

I don't know about online sources, but I have one in my workshop at the moment with a similar fault. 2 times out of 10 if you put the key in, the gear selector window on the cluster remains blank, and the car will not crank when you turn the key to the last position. If you wiggle the selector, or sometimes press the brake pedal a few times the window will suddenly change to "P" and the car will start. The only fault recorded on STAR is in the gear selector module, and states "fault in CAN communication with other modules". When the new selector module arrives on Monday I'll let you know if it fixes it ;) (I'm 101% sure it'll fix it)
 
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htolerance

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Hi All

Just to make it more clear, please see the attached image.
This happens when it goes wrong, D become blank. After 2-3 hours it gets normal, i can start the engine and same again while changing gear to R.
Is it a minor problem, or major? any suggestions please.

Regards
 

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Buckts.74

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Im having the same problem with my c270cdi, as all have said above it looks like the gear selector module. My display is blank sometimes and will not start.
I took mine apart today to see if it was repairable, but the PCB runs with contactless circuitry, and mine looked like brand new, so no spills or dirt in mine. There are just to much electronics in these cars, and MB seem to be sh*te at this. Their rep is right down the pan these days. My father was an avid Merc driver until his last 2, an S320 and an ML320, both had gearbox issues that cost a small fortune to put right, he drives Honda now lol. They are not what they once were he would say, and laughs at me for driving a Merc now.
The amount of faults that can go wrong with just the gearbox is insane. flimsy plastic parts in the gearbox that warp and crack, sensors that fail, springs that can break and choke valves, dodgy gear selectors, leaking transmission seals and no way to check fluid or level, even a slightly low battery can cause chaos.
So anyway I gota try and find a gear selector now, I wonder whats next! :p
 

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Not showing the gear selected is normally the ECU.
 

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sorry what do you mean by ecu? the board attached to the selector or is this something seperate. My diagnosis pointed to the selector being faulty, my car would go into limp mode every so often. So i took it out, and apart to see if i could do something with it, but all looked perfect. on refitting the gear screen is now blank, and the car wont start. Everything is as it was, and i didnt damage anything else on removal or refitting. It would still run and start before i decided to have a go at this, any ideas what i may have done to upset it more.
 
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Buckts.74

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So itr turned out my problem was a loose connection on the EGS (electronic gear selector). If anyone has problems with this, check the connection plug going into the EGS. Im pretty sure alot of people have been ripped off buying a new gear shifter, when its a bit of soldering required. My father payed £800 to have his replaced on his ML320, and i bet it was the same problem as mine.
BOOOO! Mercedes shame on you!!!!!
 

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