Can't Shift Past Drive

[Fizzle]

I Searched And Found No Avail. I Cannot Shift My 98 c280 with 80,340 Miles To Any Gear Lower Than D. Reverse And D Work Fine. It Shifts Smoothly And And Reverse Is Fine Too. But When i Try To Shift Into "4" (4<>D ) It Won't Work. Even With My Foot On The Brake. Has Anyone Had This Problem Or Know How To Fix It?

[Espresso]

Take out the center console & check for debris...loose change is the #1 culprit for exactly what you are describing.

[Fizzle]

I'll Get Right To It. I Miss The Immediate Throttle Response From Driving In 4. Plus Winter is Coming And In Chicago I'm Gonna Need My Lower Gears.

[timmyj51]

This MB is filled with complaints about that crappy C230
five speed tranny. Thank my stars I've got the ultra-reliable
4 speed in my '95 C220.

[VIP_MBZ]

Originally posted by timmyj51
This MB is filled with complaints about that crappy C230
five speed tranny. Thank my stars I've got the ultra-reliable
4 speed in my '95 C220.

No complaints on my 5 speed after 140k miles, but then again I have the touch-shift version which I guess is 2000 only.

-Ray

[69chevelle]

110K on mine and no problems either...knock on wood!

[RemoLexi]

Originally posted by timmyj51
This MB is filled with complaints about that crappy C230
five speed tranny. Thank my stars I've got the ultra-reliable
4 speed in my '95 C220.

Hmm ... ive seen what kind of torture my car (especially transmission) passed befroe I decided to buy the car ... at almost 80K, over a dozen set of stock-sized tires, snow + rain + burnouts and donuts ... yea im surprised it runs like a champ (KNOCK ON WOOD!!!) Ive got this bad habit is ALWAYS manually downshifting the car and upshifting it ever since I bought the car, ive got the 5-speed 97' C230 tranny. service was done at 50K.

[illusionaryline]

i had the same problem and mercedes removed the curtain that covers the gaps as it had broken off and blocked it.

[Fizzle]

Ok So I Removed The Console And I Didn't See Anything Stuck Down There. Does Anyone Know How To Take The Curtain That Illusionary Is Talking About? I Wanna Try Everything Before I Drive To The Stealership And The Charge Me $113 Just To Look My Car. I Not Ruling Out Any Suggestions.

[timmyj51]

Might be the B2 piston. Common problem
with MB trannies.

[Fizzle]

Originally posted by timmyj51
Might be the B2 piston. Common problem
with MB trannies.

Is this Something That i Can Fix? How Can I tell If It Is The B2? Or Should I Leave It To The Pros? Any Idea Of How Much It Would Cost To Fix.

[Cru328prod]

maybe the shifter bushings?.....also your linkage?

[Fizzle]

How Do I Check The Shifter Bushings? Where Are They?

[Cru328prod]

ADJUSTMENT

NOTE: Vehicle must be horizontal and on its wheels



Place vehicle on four-pillar hoist or pit
Position selector lever in position D
Mount rod head (98) on idler lever (97) and using pliers tool No. 210 589 00 37 00, or equivalent, and lock with clips
Position range selector lever in position
Insert shift rod (63) in rod head and attach range selector lever (33) and lock with clips
Tighten Torx socket bolt (99) in rod head to: 12 Nm
To tighten securely press against the rod head (98)
Do not rotate shift rod (63) and rod head (98) in the process
Do not move range selector lever (33) out of position D


cheak the shift bushings, there green i think. like if there out of place or just wore out


im not sure if we could do this but...mod's delete it if anything