Recent content by marm

OK, the prize goes to spoton. My mechanic managed to "tap" it out of gear, and it's now apparently fine. Hope it doesn't do it again. I didn't pick up the car myself, but when I see him next I'll get him to show me how he did it.

That is interesting! As I say, I have so far resisted the temptation to force it, as being stuck in neutral would be worse... but you've got me thinking.

Thanks for asking! So far I've not been able to face crawling under it. My trolley jack is buried in the deepest corner of the shed. Normally I'd use the ramps but there's no reverse on the car... Lame excuses I know. I'll probably limp it along to my friendly local mechanic in the next couple...

Thanks, I'll crawl under it tomorrow.

Thanks! Fairly sure it's not the clutch as this seems fine when driving. Also it's impossible to pull it out of gear even with the engine stopped. Is that logical? Re the external faults you mention (i.e. bushes and washers) where should I be looking?

1997. Turbo.

Had to abort a road trip yesterday due to not being able to select gears. Car is stuck in first. Shifter feels physically stuck - I resisted the temptation to force it, decided instead that being stuck in first was better than being stuck in neutral, and limped home with the engine screaming at...

Not got round to going to the locksmiths yet. Slightly nervous that they'll break the key!

Turns out the battery's flat (that'll teach me for letting the 2 year old play in it) so I can't lock the car by remote. I've manually locked the doors, and there's what looks like a key lock hidden under the flap (above number plate) on the boot but the key won't go in all the way, and won't...

Thanks! I agree with you in spirit...I love the car and wish I had the time and energy to preserve it for eternity...but with a young family (and numerous projects on the go), time is pretty tight. So I'm fighting the urge to do anything of the sort. It has started to rust on the sills and...

Update: the new key (no electronics) turns the engine over, but it does not fire. Local locksmiths say they can copy the chip for £25... we'll see.

Just to say that this fix seems to have done the trick so thanks again... can't say I've missed the extra "reach" on the wiper - visibility is not impaired with this mod IMO so I don't think I'll bother replacing the mechanism. A new wiper blade was money well spent though!

That, and 167000 miles. I'm not complaining. Looks fairly greasy to me though... I did wipe off the shaft before fitting the chopstick. And put some copper slip on the fitting end/bolt.

Job done for the time being. Thanks all for sharing tips. Seems to do the trick but I will probably put a secondhand mechanism on at some point (will probably be in touch Mercedes man). Used a sawn off chopstick in the end. The lolly stick cracked when I tightened the cable ties. I found the...

Going to the Netherlands next week. Any tips? Gaffa tape? If so where? Ta!