Transmission disengaged...HELP

[drnino]

Hey guys, I have a 1999 E430 with 115k miles. I have performed the following maintenance items on the car since I bought it at 103k miles: - A Service - B Service - Brakes - Plugs and Wires - Fuel Float - Tranny service Now that I have given you a short history of the vehicle, let me explain my problem. So I made a right turn (90 degree) this morning to head on to the freeway and after taking my foot off the brake and pressed lightly on the gas...I didn't feel the car go anywhere. I pushed a little harder and it just revved...as if it were in neutral. I pulled to the side of the road, put the car from gear 4 down to 1...then back to D....and it engaged. This has happened a couple of times before, and usually happens when making a turn. However, it never happened this bad before...I would usually just hear the engine rev slightly and engage. I thought it was a tranny service problem, so thats why I got it serviced. No effect. I REALLY hope I don't have to replace my transmission or get it rebuilt. I'm praying someone else has gone through this and has a reasonable solution. Thanks guys!

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[drnino]

Bump...

Come on guys...please tell me someone has heard of this problem before. Or at least has some idea what I might be up against.

Seems less like a tranny problem and more like a sensor problem? I'm just fishing here...hopefully someone out there can give some guidance.

[cneedham810]

I have the same problem, it will seem like the problems gonae for a while then happen again randomly. I never had it checked so I'm curious to see anyones imput on thsi also.

[MG]

Is your Check Engine light on?

I had a similar set of symptoms for a couple days then my service lights came on which forced me to get it taken care of.

I needed a Clutch plate sensor replaced.

[drnino]

Thanks MG.

My engine light never comes on when this happens...sort of strange. Like I said in my original post. The first few times it just kinda revved for a second, then it engaged. But the most recent time it completely got stuck in "neutral". I would think with such a malfunction like that...the check engine light would come on.

If it doesn't come on...then there wouldn't be any error codes for a shop to check right?

BTW, if you dont mind me asking, how much was the work you had done?

Thanks again! Glad I'm not alone in this one.

[MG]

As I said, I was experiencing the symptoms without any lights or errors, but then it just gave up the ghost and failed all the way after two days.

I don't remember the cost of the whole repair, I just remember it being a (figurative numbers) $27 part that took $1,000 to get in and out.

Really annoying.

[fatt-dad]

Have you recently spilled liquid on your console (you know where the shifter is)? This happened to my wife and it shorted the electronics on the shifter with similar results. It was a $700.00 replacement and we learned just how stupid it is to have a coffee holder over-top of the shifter.

Hope this helps.

f-d

[drnino]

Hey f-d,

Thanks for that info. Can you describe what was happening to your wifes car exactly? Also, did she notice the problems right afterwards?

My girlfriend spilled water on my console, but it was some time ago.

[ohlord]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Denial of petition for a defect investigation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a
petition submitted by Ms. Elyse Gerber to NHTSA's Office of Defects
Investigation (ODI), received October 13, 2005, under 49 U.S.C. 30162,
requesting that the agency commence a proceeding to determine the
existence of a defect related to motor vehicle safety with respect to
electrical system shut down on model year (MY) 2000 Mercedes Benz E430
vehicles. After a review of the petition and other information, NHTSA
has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative
resources on the issues raised by the petition does not appear to be
warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition. The petition
is hereinafter identified as DP05-007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steve Chan, Defects Assessment
Division, Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-8537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By letter dated September 20, 2005, Ms.
Gerber of Belleair Beach, FL, submitted a petition requesting that the
agency investigate electrical system shut down on MY 2000 Mercedes Benz
E430 vehicles. The petitioner alleges that coffee from a cup, placed in
the cup holder, spilled onto the gear shifter and shut down the
vehicle's entire electrical system. The petitioner indicated that the
vehicle jerked and slowed down, but she was able to maneuver the
vehicle off the highway and into a shopping center parking lot.
The concern raised by the petitioner was investigated by the Office
of Defects Investigation (ODI) of NHTSA. The investigation (SQ01-010)
was opened on September 25, 2001 on MY 2000 through 2001 Mercedes Benz
SLK, C, CLK, and E Series vehicles. NHTSA opened the investigation
after receiving three complaints concerning liquid spillage onto the
transmission shifter (center console) area, which reportedly caused the
vehicle to stall or shut down, and a related technical service bulletin
(TSB) issued by Mercedes Benz. The TSB identifies improved ``Touch-
Shifters'' (ESM-Electronic Selector Modules) that were more resistant
to fluid contamination, which were installed on vehicles produced after
March 2001.
Mercedes Benz's letter dated January 24, 2002, sent in response to
a request for information by ODI, identified 164 consumer complaints
and 241 non-duplicate warranty claims concerning liquid spillage onto
the transmission shifter. The response showed that in many cases,
depending on the severity of the spill, fluid spills onto the
transmission shifter/center console of the subject vehicles will have
no effect on drivability. Where a substantial amount of fluid is
spilled, the fluid may penetrate the console and contaminate the ESM
circuitry located under the console. In certain cases, this can result
in a shifter malfunction. Owners reported that they have experienced
that the shifter is stiff or difficult to operate, or that the shifter
could not be shifted out of the ``Park'' position. In the event of a
fluid spill while the vehicle is moving, the damaged ESM will activate
the electronic transmission's ``limp-home'' mode. This mode will
prevent the transmission from shifting past second gear while averting
a stall or shut-down so that the vehicle can still be driven at a lower
speed. Furthermore, Mercedes Benz's response indicated that there are
no electronics related to the power brakes, power steering, or engine
under the center console, and the company was unaware of any
engineering basis for fluid spills in this area having any effect on
those vehicle functions. No related crashes or injuries were identified
during SQ01-010. Based on Mercedes' response and ODI's analysis of the
facts, ODI closed its inquiry in February 2002. ODI concluded that the
facts did not demonstrate a safety-related defect.
ODI has subsequently received nine more complaints alleging fluid
contamination of the transmission shifter since the investigation was
closed, none of which report crashes or injuries. These nine
complainants mainly expressed dissatisfaction with the design of the
cup holder and the cost of replacing the contaminated ESM. Similarly,
in petitioner's case she was able to operate the vehicle to a place
where it could be safety stopped after the liquid spillage. The
petitioner has not provided any evidence of a safety-related defect.
In view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that NHTSA would issue an
order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect as defined
by the petitioner at the conclusion of the investigation requested in
the petition. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize
NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety
mission, the petition is denied.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30162(d); delegations of authority at CFR
1.50 and 501.8.

Issued on: March 21, 2006.
Daniel Smith
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. E6-4309 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
A real mess,So before it happens to anyone else,pop off the wood and make a template for a thin plastic cover,they fitted something like that on the later designs
ohlord
"GOT COFFEE?"

[fatt-dad]

well that about summarizes what happened to us! I would suspect that if you had a water spill some time ago, it wouldn't be the cause (but then again. . . .). For us it happened immediately.

p.s., the car is mine now. I love it too!

f-d

[E320 Orlando]

this same problem was happening to me since i bought mine a little bit over a year ago, it had 120k back then, 135k now, it would happen after a sharp turn or sudden braking, i would just pull over to the side and shut the car off then re-start it and it would run normal again, until last thursday when it just shifts from 1st to 2nd gear and stays in that limp mode, i try to reset it by turning the car off & then on but it doesnt work now, i am of course not driving it now, im afraid of how much it will be for somebody to even tell me whats wrong with it, i have not spilled anything in there though, and when you shift it from park to drive you hear a little loud thump and that is new, please help I miss driving my benz

[ohlord]

in manual mode does it shift into all gears in that mode?
ohlord
scan codes?

[E320 Orlando]

in manual mode it would shift into all gears, after i shut off the car and re-start it. since thursday this has not been working, and it has been stuck in limp mode ever since. the check engine light is on, and the last time i had the codes read something like a trans sensor and maf sensor, i will look for the paper i wrote them in to post it it does make a noise when u shift from park to drive and to reverse to park, like a soft clunk sound. it didnt do that before, i lifted the car up today to look at the linkage underneath and there is a long rod that connects down there that feels to me like its not tight enough as it moves too freely with just touching it

[E320 Orlando]

miss driving my baby

[ohlord]

you have lots of harbor freight tools stores in Fl get the code scanner for 39 bucks http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94169
read the codes and post them.A lot of the sensors in the trans are optical and when the (life time fluid gets dark enough the sensors no longer function the way they were intended.Get the codes.
ohlord

[Richard / E320]

Originally Posted by ohlord

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Denial of petition for a defect investigation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a
petition submitted by Ms. Elyse Gerber to NHTSA's Office of Defects
Investigation (ODI), received October 13, 2005, under 49 U.S.C. 30162,
requesting that the agency commence a proceeding to determine the
existence of a defect related to motor vehicle safety with respect to
electrical system shut down on model year (MY) 2000 Mercedes Benz E430
vehicles. After a review of the petition and other information, NHTSA
has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative
resources on the issues raised by the petition does not appear to be
warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition. The petition
is hereinafter identified as DP05-007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steve Chan, Defects Assessment
Division, Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-8537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By letter dated September 20, 2005, Ms.
Gerber of Belleair Beach, FL, submitted a petition requesting that the
agency investigate electrical system shut down on MY 2000 Mercedes Benz
E430 vehicles. The petitioner alleges that coffee from a cup, placed in
the cup holder, spilled onto the gear shifter and shut down the
vehicle's entire electrical system. The petitioner indicated that the
vehicle jerked and slowed down, but she was able to maneuver the
vehicle off the highway and into a shopping center parking lot.
The concern raised by the petitioner was investigated by the Office
of Defects Investigation (ODI) of NHTSA. The investigation (SQ01-010)
was opened on September 25, 2001 on MY 2000 through 2001 Mercedes Benz
SLK, C, CLK, and E Series vehicles. NHTSA opened the investigation
after receiving three complaints concerning liquid spillage onto the
transmission shifter (center console) area, which reportedly caused the
vehicle to stall or shut down, and a related technical service bulletin
(TSB) issued by Mercedes Benz. The TSB identifies improved ``Touch-
Shifters'' (ESM-Electronic Selector Modules) that were more resistant
to fluid contamination, which were installed on vehicles produced after
March 2001.
Mercedes Benz's letter dated January 24, 2002, sent in response to
a request for information by ODI, identified 164 consumer complaints
and 241 non-duplicate warranty claims concerning liquid spillage onto
the transmission shifter. The response showed that in many cases,
depending on the severity of the spill, fluid spills onto the
transmission shifter/center console of the subject vehicles will have
no effect on drivability. Where a substantial amount of fluid is
spilled, the fluid may penetrate the console and contaminate the ESM
circuitry located under the console. In certain cases, this can result
in a shifter malfunction. Owners reported that they have experienced
that the shifter is stiff or difficult to operate, or that the shifter
could not be shifted out of the ``Park'' position. In the event of a
fluid spill while the vehicle is moving, the damaged ESM will activate
the electronic transmission's ``limp-home'' mode. This mode will
prevent the transmission from shifting past second gear while averting
a stall or shut-down so that the vehicle can still be driven at a lower
speed. Furthermore, Mercedes Benz's response indicated that there are
no electronics related to the power brakes, power steering, or engine
under the center console, and the company was unaware of any
engineering basis for fluid spills in this area having any effect on
those vehicle functions. No related crashes or injuries were identified
during SQ01-010. Based on Mercedes' response and ODI's analysis of the
facts, ODI closed its inquiry in February 2002. ODI concluded that the
facts did not demonstrate a safety-related defect.
ODI has subsequently received nine more complaints alleging fluid
contamination of the transmission shifter since the investigation was
closed, none of which report crashes or injuries. These nine
complainants mainly expressed dissatisfaction with the design of the
cup holder and the cost of replacing the contaminated ESM. Similarly,
in petitioner's case she was able to operate the vehicle to a place
where it could be safety stopped after the liquid spillage. The
petitioner has not provided any evidence of a safety-related defect.
In view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that NHTSA would issue an
order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect as defined
by the petitioner at the conclusion of the investigation requested in
the petition. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize
NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety
mission, the petition is denied.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30162(d); delegations of authority at CFR
1.50 and 501.8.

Issued on: March 21, 2006.
Daniel Smith
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. E6-4309 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
A real mess,So before it happens to anyone else,pop off the wood and make a template for a thin plastic cover,they fitted something like that on the later designs
ohlord
"GOT COFFEE?"

Furthermore, Mercedes Benz's response indicated that there are
no electronics related to the power brakes, power steering, or engine
under the center console, and the company was unaware of any
engineering basis for fluid spills in this area having any effect on
those vehicle functions. No related crashes or injuries were identified
during SQ01-010. Based on Mercedes' response and ODI's analysis of the
facts, ODI closed its inquiry in February 2002. ODI concluded that the
facts did not demonstrate a safety-related defect.

Mercedes doesn't see this as an engineering defect, or one that they are responsible for? Let's see: cupholder = cup with liquid. Spilt liquid = non-operable transmission = major cost repair.

[E320 Orlando]

P0173
P0700
P0306
P0715
P0170
P0100

[E-Class Owner]

Looks like a MAF problem, misfire on cyl. 6, and most importantly:

P0715 = Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction.

There was a post on the input/turbine sensor issue either here or on "benzworld"... you might want to run a search.

Good luck on your situation...

JR

[E320 Orlando]

anybody knows where i can get the maf sensor? how about the speed sensor?

[E320 Orlando]

i bought the maf sensor bosch for 220.00 hopefully that helps with the error codes, any suggestions on what to do next?

[E320 Orlando]

changed it today, nothing happened, problem still the same, please help

[E-Class Owner]

Back on 10/12 I said the codes indicated a bad MAF and "and most importantly:

P0715 = Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction."



You replaced the MAF and apperently neglected the reaminder of my recommendation. I have run the previously suggested search for you yeilding the following:


Code P0715, no CEL, can I fix this?

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...lfunction.html


The ball is, once again, in your court.

JR