E300td Auto Box Jammed At 60mph

[jhowe3]

Ladies and Gents,

My wife was driving our 1999 E300TD on Sunday and the car came to a sudden halt from 60 MPH.(drivetrain locked up, unable to move auto selector) Fortunately no one was injured and the following traffic managed to take avoiding action. It took the rac about 4 hours to move it just from the carriageway. Car has FMBSH and MobiloLife. Car is currently with a dealer near home but as yet no root cause for failure. Initial discussions with dealer are suggesting it may have decided to jump itself into Park at 60MPH. I find this a frightening thought and was wondering if anyone has a knowledge of possible root causes.

PS cant fault the mobilo life service at the moment

Thanks in advance

Jim

 

[Dieselman]

It won't have jumped into park. If it had the parking pawl would just have jumped as the teeth are designed to jump at any speed over 5mph.

It sounds like two gears have engaged together locking the shaft.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

If Dieselman is correct I'd be concerned that a dealer has suggested that its gone into park. Concerned that **** and elbow are being interchanged unknowingly.

 

[neilrr]

Lucky nobody hurt. That could have been v. nasty on a busy notorway.