CL500 - stuck in P after low battery recharge.

[sandman1572]

Hi All - my apologies if this isn't the right section to post this, but it seemed the best-fit.

HELP!!!

I have a 2005 CL500. After not using the car for many weeks, I found the battery was flat. Recharged it overnight and put it back (I noticed it looked like the alarm had probably been triggered at some point - the indicators were flashing like hazards until I pressed a button on the fob). Restarted it, and managed to get it going. I moved the car about 40m, turned it off and ever since, the fob wont turn in the ignition, it wont open or close the doors and I cant move it out of Park to even push it into a non obstructive place. I have a second fob/key that also doesn't turn in the ignition. I checked the battery and it has a full 13v. I checked to make sure there is power to the car - most things work except the windows (but that could be because the key wont turn in the ignition).

I tried to find the emergency shift release to at least just move the car into Neutral so I can push it to a safe place back in the garage - but I cant find that. Does anyone know where to locate the shift override in this car?
I wonder if I need to re-program the key with the ignition, or if I need to reset the immobiliser somehow? (seems like 1 or both of these may be needed).

Many thanks in advance.

 

[DSM10000]

Hi All - my apologies if this isn't the right section to post this, but it seemed the best-fit.

HELP!!!

I have a 2005 CL500. After not using the car for many weeks, I found the battery was flat. Recharged it overnight and put it back (I noticed it looked like the alarm had probably been triggered at some point - the indicators were flashing like hazards until I pressed a button on the fob). Restarted it, and managed to get it going. I moved the car about 40m, turned it off and ever since, the fob wont turn in the ignition, it wont open or close the doors and I cant move it out of Park to even push it into a non obstructive place. I have a second fob/key that also doesn't turn in the ignition. I checked the battery and it has a full 13v. I checked to make sure there is power to the car - most things work except the windows (but that could be because the key wont turn in the ignition).

I tried to find the emergency shift release to at least just move the car into Neutral so I can push it to a safe place back in the garage - but I cant find that. Does anyone know where to locate the shift override in this car?
I wonder if I need to re-program the key with the ignition, or if I need to reset the immobiliser somehow? (seems like 1 or both of these may be needed).

Many thanks in advance.

Your handbook should show you how to operate the gear lever release.

Have you another battery you can try? If it has discharged then although you may be able to read a voltage it might be dropping under load?

Good luck

 

[sandman1572]

Your handbook should show you how to operate the gear lever release.

Have you another battery you can try? If it has discharged then although you may be able to read a voltage it might be dropping under load?

Good luck

Thanks for your reply. I couldnt find anything in the handbook about the gear lever release.
I do have another battery - will give that a go.

 

[DSM10000]

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This might help, on other models I think that you need to pull the gear lever surround up (it clips into place) and then find the release lever

 

[sandman1572]

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This might help, on other models I think that you need to pull the gear lever surround up (it clips into place) and then find the release lever

hi - yes i saw this earlier. Unfortunately on the CL500s it doesnt seem to have a release system like this. i have already taken out the trim surrounding the gear lever and had a good look inside - no unlock.

 

[DSM10000]

hi - yes i saw this earlier. Unfortunately on the CL500s it doesnt seem to have a release system like this. i have already taken out the trim surrounding the gear lever and had a good look inside - no unlock.

There will be one. Is it toward the top of the transmission tunnel?

 

[sandman1572]

There will be one. Is it toward the top of the transmission tunnel?

Can’t see anything that looks like a release switch or hole (see attached photo).

 

[DSM10000]

Can’t see anything that looks like a release switch or hole (see attached photo).

No, neither can I. Is the rest of the wooden trim easy to remove?

 

[DSM10000]

Any chance of jump starting or at least connect another car with a healthy battery to see if things release?

 

[sandman1572]

No, neither can I. Is the rest of the wooden trim easy to remove?

I dont think it going to be that straight forward and certainly not for a dejected IT programmer on a Sunday night, whos wasted his whole day on this
saw an older thread from the US where they were working on a 2001 CL500 and mentioned that they dont havea release mechanism. Sounds crazy but maybe its true.

 

[sandman1572]

Any chance of jump starting or at least connect another car with a healthy battery to see if things release?

I dont think its the battery at all. I tried hooking up 2 batteries to try that jump start approach and nothing. I also have one of those portable jump starters (which have been a godsend many times in the past) and nothing with that.

It seems to me more like the key is now not synched with the car as none of the buttons work on it at all (main key and the spare). Or maybe the immobiliser has activated and it wont do anything.

 

[DSM10000]

I dont think it going to be that straight forward and certainly not for a dejected IT programmer on a Sunday night, whos wasted his whole day on this
saw an older thread from the US where they were working on a 2001 CL500 and mentioned that they dont havea release mechanism. Sounds crazy but maybe its true.

The 2001 model may have had a different transmission?

Yours should be the 722.6.

The other possibility is that the Electronic Ignition Switch has failed and power is not being supplied to the various modules to allow starting and gearbox release.


Sorry not to be of more help, all I can suggest is wine, beer etc

 

[sandman1572]

The 2001 model may have had a different transmission?

Yours should be the 722.6.

yes - well I was hoping so but sadly I cant seem to get anywhere with it. Looks like I may have to leave it overnight and apologise to all the neighbours - call an engineer first thing in the morning.

 

[DSM10000]

yes - well I was hoping so but sadly I cant seem to get anywhere with it. Looks like I may have to leave it overnight and apologise to all the neighbours - call an engineer first thing in the morning.

How did you get on?

 

[sandman1572]

How did you get on?

Thanks for asking - its still stuck where it was. Unfortunately I had to attend a funeral today so I wasn't able to deal with it. I have a couple of numbers to call for tomorrow to hopefully get something sorted.

 

[pioneercollector]

How many batteries does your car have? My SL500 has two and i had a similar issue, i managed to get it going by jumping the front battery, but if i turned off the engine the same issue as you have described. I changed both the batteries and cleared any faults via STAR and it has been fine this year so far.

 

[sandman1572]

How many batteries does your car have? My SL500 has two and i had a similar issue, i managed to get it going by jumping the front battery, but if i turned off the engine the same issue as you have described. I changed both the batteries and cleared any faults via STAR and it has been fine this year so far.

Just the one battery.

Its all sorted now. Turned out to be a blown fuse for the EIS. I called a guy out and he checked the Ignition box, the wires, and eventually we checked the fuses. Replaced the fuse and everything was back to normal.

 

[sandman1572]

The 2001 model may have had a different transmission?

Yours should be the 722.6.

The other possibility is that the Electronic Ignition Switch has failed and power is not being supplied to the various modules to allow starting and gearbox release.


Sorry not to be of more help, all I can suggest is wine, beer etc

Looking back at your earlier messages - you were pretty much correct - EIS system. Luckily it was just a fuse and not the Ignition switch itself as apparently they are not easy to get a hold of.

Thanks ever so much for all of your input over the last few days - much appreciated.