W213 E220d - Parking Sensors PREVENTING Me From Driving (unique problem)

[notaprodriver]

Hi there,

Just purchased a used 1 owner, high mileage but mint condition W213 serviced at MB from new, with receipts (purchased private so no warranty here) I'm having a few issues unique enough where I couldn't find anyone else with this very specific problem.

When I am approaching a stop (say at a red light) the park sensors go a little nuts, usually telling me I'm too close to something (red bars). However, this is NOT my main problem.

When I put the car into say 'P' when stationary, and then re-engage 'D' to drive away, the car PREVENTS me from driving by what feels like power being restricted to the drive-train. The car feels like its moving forward but very heavily restricting me from doing so, almost like a jittery/grindy sound/feel. Now I know you think 'gearbox fault' but I'm sure this is not the case as the gear sits perfectly in 'D' and also D1, etc. Just refusing to drive anything over 1-2mph (Rule out the park brake as it is NOT engaged. I've put it on and off and hear the mechanics working. It's NOT that.) This definitely feels like electronics stopping me from moving such as ESP or TC etc.

When thinking about a solution, I had a brainwave and SWITCHED OFF park control via the button and VIOLA the car imminently drove off.

I pulled into a car park to put this to the test. I pulled up next to an object with park control on, waited for it to scream at me, then put the car in to 'P' then back into 'D' and sure enough, its preventing me from driving.

Repeated the above but with park control OFF, put the car into 'P' then back into 'D' and sure enough, not a single issue. I drove right off.

Repeated again a few times to make sure and yep, when park control is active before putting into 'P' it prevents you from driving when going back to 'D'

I am 90% sure that this is not the typical gearbox fault but some kind of software/park control fault.

Can anyone assist me with this? So far in the mornings I just turn the park control off when leaving but there are times where I forget and cause a massive panic at a set of lights etc, its really stressful.

All the help I can get is appreciated. Many thanks!

 

[harrye500]

Welcome. You may have parking sensor fault(s). I can't recall exactly but if the car thinks it is in proximity to something, it will prevent you from moving off so you don'thit it! I'd suggest to get it diagnosed at an MB indie and concentrate on the parking sensors / system initially. It may show some errors or codes. Your switching off park control may support the above as it would also disengage the sensors.

 

[notaprodriver]

Welcome. You may have parking sensor fault(s). I can't recall exactly but if the car thinks it is in proximity to something, it will prevent you from moving off so you don'thit it! I'd suggest to get it diagnosed at an MB indie and concentrate on the parking sensors / system initially. It may show some errors or codes. Your switching off park control may support the above as it would also disengage the sensors.

Hi, many thanks for the reply. Asked elsewhere and managed to find the answer, similar to what you have said:

DRIVE AWAY ASSIST FUNCTION ACTIVATES TO PREVENT SLOW MOVING COLLISIONS WHEN MOVING OFF.

Can be temporarily disabled along side parking sensors by pushing the parking sensor button on the middle console.

Hope this helps others who may suffer the same issue in the future.

Thank god it was not what I was dreading, and that being a failing gearbox.

 

[harrye500]

Hi, many thanks for the reply. Asked elsewhere and managed to find the answer, similar to what you have said:

DRIVE AWAY ASSIST FUNCTION ACTIVATES TO PREVENT SLOW MOVING COLLISIONS WHEN MOVING OFF.

Can be temporarily disabled along side parking sensors by pushing the parking sensor button on the middle console.

Hope this helps others who may suffer the same issue in the future.

Thank god it was not what I was dreading, and that being a failing gearbox.

Good I'm glad you sorted it! Don't recall this on my W213 but as I sold it a couple of weeks back, I can't check! The 9G is a good box, reliable and strong.

 

[davidsl500]

I don't know anyone that puts their vehicle into Park when at traffic lights! Just leave it in drive, its also less wear on the autobox..

 

[DSK]

In all my autos forever, I always put the box into Neutral to take the load off the gearbox/converter when waiting at lights that I know won’t change instantly.


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[Blobcat]

In all my autos forever, I always put the box into Neutral to take the load off the gearbox/converter when waiting at lights that I know won’t change instantly.


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We’ve had many a thread on “how to drive an auto”
I’ve never moved any of mine out of drive until the end of my journey - taken 3 to well over 100k miles on each (nearly 150k on my SLK) and never any gearbox issues.

 

[DSK]

All mine are working perfectly too, 2 of which are tuned. (That’s not supposed to sound sarcastic).

I know that they said you can hold them in D when stopped but, I prefer to stick them in neutral whilst waiting to give my foot a break. I know you can leave them in D safely.


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[brandwooddixon]

I know that they said you can hold them in D when stopped but, I prefer to stick them in neutral whilst waiting to give my foot a break. I know you can leave them in D safely.

I used to do that until the idle gear bearing went in my W210 E430 and it stripped a gear set when pulling away from traffic lights. That was just when everyone was discovering how short the definition of life was for MB's sealed for life gearboxes. Since then I apply the parking brake and leave the auto-box in drive.

 

[davidsl500]

Same here, apply

I used to do that until the idle gear bearing went in my W210 E430 and it stripped a gear set when pulling away from traffic lights. That was just when everyone was discovering how short the definition of life was for MB's sealed for life gearboxes. Since then I apply the parking brake and leave the auto-box in drive.

Same here, apply parking brake and "cover" the foot brake just in case....

 

[w204benz]

When I am approaching a stop (say at a red light) the park sensors go a little nuts, usually telling me I'm too close to something (red bars)

I'm not familiar with the Drive Away Assist function, but I've had the parking sensors go nuts intermittently on a few occasions. Usually it's because of a bit of dirt, but I've read that an excess of wax can also cause this - perhaps the previous owner had the car cleaned and waxed before selling it?

It might be worth giving the sensors a good wipe with a microfibre cloth and seeing if it lets you drive off without having to disable the parking sensors.