hi there, i've got some problems with my w124 220 gearbox. got ok to work this morning but when trying to leave i couldn't start the car and it seems like it is stuck in neutral as even in reverse or any gear it just seems to roll. any of you guys got any ideas?. just have had it a few months and i love it to bits. has been very good for me for 6500 miles and wouldn't mind spending money and time to get it in good knick
Benz270cdi
Active Member
you need to get it on a star diagnostic computer to get the codes read, could be a number of things, when was the ATF fluid and filter changed, ATF level checked, could be the speed sensor in the gearbox , first job find a good Indy and get it booked in.
thanks for your advise. just had a go with tapping the startermotor a bit with a hammer, didn't work. could it be that there is some wear on the gear linkage selector pin what is stopping the gear get in park like on the ollder w123? i have checked the ATF recently and was still at the right level. haven't had the filter or fluids changed. is there anywhere i could find some more visual info about thelinkage pin
balge
Active Member
unimoged
New Member
It is the 2 green bushings on the link under the car between the handle and the transmission prndl switch. It should start with the lever in neutral.
have a go at it in tne morning
thanks for your quick replies, as it is dark now i have to hope for better weather tomorrow during the day as i had to leave it at work. i'm sure when i tried it earlier it wouldn't start in neutral but i'll keep you informed on my progress.
thanks for your quick replies, as it is dark now i have to hope for better weather tomorrow during the day as i had to leave it at work. i'm sure when i tried it earlier it wouldn't start in neutral but i'll keep you informed on my progress.
hotrodder
Active Member
4 speed auto in a w124 is purely mechanical/hydraulic i.e. no provision for star (leccy diagnostics)
I'm confused by the wording the in the OP... 'couldn't start the car' and 'tapping starter motor' fits with inhibitor switch BUT 'in reverse or any other gear it just seems to roll'
When i initially read the OP i was thinking engine running but no drive in any gear? Are we infact saying you couldn't start the engine but tried pushing it in drive/reverse and it rolled as though it was in neutral?
The can't select park thing... can't take the key out of the ignition in a w124 unless it's in park so presumably it was in park when you left it in the morning? There's yet another safety device that prevents you from shifting out of park with the ign on unless the foot brake is applied soooo i'm thinking the gear linkage as unimoged... you can move the gear lever in the car about because it's no longer connected to the actual gearbox. That'd explain why you can't get back into park (the gearbox is still in park) but not the 'seems to roll' part of the OP
The key/foot brake safety interlock for park is done by cables, pics here... shifter stuck in park - Mercedes-Benz Forum
As said the inhibitor switch prevents the starter from working when it's gear but it will start in both neutral and park
I'm confused by the wording the in the OP... 'couldn't start the car' and 'tapping starter motor' fits with inhibitor switch BUT 'in reverse or any other gear it just seems to roll'
When i initially read the OP i was thinking engine running but no drive in any gear? Are we infact saying you couldn't start the engine but tried pushing it in drive/reverse and it rolled as though it was in neutral?The can't select park thing... can't take the key out of the ignition in a w124 unless it's in park so presumably it was in park when you left it in the morning? There's yet another safety device that prevents you from shifting out of park with the ign on unless the foot brake is applied soooo i'm thinking the gear linkage as unimoged... you can move the gear lever in the car about because it's no longer connected to the actual gearbox. That'd explain why you can't get back into park (the gearbox is still in park) but not the 'seems to roll' part of the OP
The key/foot brake safety interlock for park is done by cables, pics here... shifter stuck in park - Mercedes-Benz Forum
As said the inhibitor switch prevents the starter from working when it's gear but it will start in both neutral and park
4 speed auto in a w124 is purely mechanical/hydraulic i.e. no provision for star (leccy diagnostics)
I'm confused by the wording the in the OP... 'couldn't start the car' and 'tapping starter motor' fits with inhibitor switch BUT 'in reverse or any other gear it just seems to roll'
The can't select park thing... can't take the key out of the ignition in a w124 unless it's in park so presumably it was in park when you left it in the morning? There's yet another safety device that prevents you from shifting out of park with the ign on unless the foot brake is applied soooo i'm thinking the gear linkage as unimoged... you can move the gear lever in the car about because it's no longer connected to the actual gearbox. That'd explain why you can't get back into park (the gearbox is still in park) but not the 'seems to roll' part of the OP
The key/foot brake safety interlock for park is done by cables, pics here... shifter stuck in park - Mercedes-Benz Forum
As said the inhibitor switch prevents the starter from working when it's gear but it will start in both neutral and park
hotrodder saved me a lot of typing! There were a number of misconceptions about how the W124 4 speed auto works, with previous posters potentially sending the OP off on a wild goose chase.
hotrodder
Active Member
I'm still confused by Maars description of the symptoms! Engine won't start seems to be confirmed but everything else is at odds with each other unless everything to do with the gear selector fell apart at the same time... if you can roll the car it's not in park so how do you get the key out? If the linkage fell apart with it in neutral the engine should start but obviously won't be able to select a gear and shouldn't be able to get the key out of the ign either
ok guys, sorry to have confused you. forget all previous written and here is a summary of what is happening. keys go in the ignition lock and come out when gear selector is in P
-lights all come on on dash
-gear selector is mechanically fine from the inside of the car.
-looked under the car and linkage from selector to transmission box is all working
-car is not starting in either park or neutral.
-when shifting out of park into reverse or drive the car rolls.
-starter motor isn't turning.
so here are my thoughts,
-if the gearbox was broken the car would start in P or N
-if it was the startermotor, why is the car rolling when selected R or D
-the gearbox is in neutral to be able to roll and not stuck in a gear.
getting a bit worried and am getting to a stage where i want to transport it to a garage.
Does any of you know decent indy in the coventry area?
-lights all come on on dash
-gear selector is mechanically fine from the inside of the car.
-looked under the car and linkage from selector to transmission box is all working
-car is not starting in either park or neutral.
-when shifting out of park into reverse or drive the car rolls.
-starter motor isn't turning.
so here are my thoughts,
-if the gearbox was broken the car would start in P or N
-if it was the startermotor, why is the car rolling when selected R or D
-the gearbox is in neutral to be able to roll and not stuck in a gear.
getting a bit worried and am getting to a stage where i want to transport it to a garage.
Does any of you know decent indy in the coventry area?
Benz270cdi
Active Member
You have a choice of two mercland in Nuneaton and MSL performance in Birmingham
Don't worry about it being able to roll in Reverse or Drive with the engine not running, its not a fault, just a characteristic of an auto gearbox.
Okay, lets get some basics out the way: is the battery charged? Properly? Does the battery produce enough voltage when trying to start (switch headlights on and try starter, if the lights dim too much, then its a faulty battery).
Next, is the starter solenoid stuck? If so, (sorry, I know access on a Merc is a pain!) whack the solenoid with something like a hammer, then retry. If its stuck, then whacking it is a temporary relief but really for an auto you need a reliable starter motor.
WHile you're under the car, check the electrical connections are secure and in good condition, and also if possible check that you're getting +12V to the solenoid when the ignition is turned to start. If not, then it points towards a faulty ignition switch or (more likely) a faulty start inhibitor switch (the thing that prevents you starting in anything except P or N).
coupe deville
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Start inhibit switch can usually be "fixed" temporarily by jiggling the shifter between P and N. Going back to basics, are the fuses and fuse holders cruddy
ok guys thanks for all advice, i'm getting the feeling there is nothing wrong with the gearbox and it is all down to starter motor or solenoid.i've found a replacement one and just have to hope for a nice day to fit it. i'll let you know. all well it should be running again on saturday.
ok thanks all you guys for all advise, sorry to have confused you with my concerned diagnoses. the things your collegues get in your head. recieved my starter motor today and 35 min later it was and running. time to close this tread and hope to show you some pictures of my beloved CE. regards maarten
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