Locked Gear lever No Start

[Kerabo]

2006 C220 CDI


Can someone please explain how the Auto box lever connects to the start system Please.

I parked the car on a very small slope and parked by leaving in gear.

On returning to the car it just went click! Like it was flat. I knew it was not flat. Gear lever locked in the P position.

I rocked the car and managed to get the lever free and it then started.

how is the starter isolated by the gear linkage?

thank you

 

[optimusprime]

New type Mercedes the selector is linked by a steel cable to the ignition switch . I dont know about yours . Sorry to say, but this is the wright thing to do . Stop the car ,,handbrake or service brake on first ,,then select P-park . If selector used in any other way, then it can damage the parking pawl in your gearbox.

 

[Kerabo]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I should use the correct parking brake.
just wondered if there is something you can do should you be stuck.

ken

 

[E55BOF]

OP, you say your selector lever was locked in Park, but you also say you left the car in gear. It can't have been both, so which was it?

 

[Kerabo]

OP, you say your selector lever was locked in Park, but you also say you left the car in gear. It can't have been both, so which was it?

No it was in Park but locked. I was unable to move the lever from Park. There was no play on the lever but when I rocked the car it moved something and I was able wiggle the lever and able to turn the key to start it.
looking on YouTube it shows on some Mercs a button you can press to unlock the lever

thank you for your input

 

[E55BOF]

I don't think I've ever had one with an unlock button for the lever.

Regarding parking, on slight slopes many people don't bother to use the parking brake; the transmission parking pawl will hold it fine. Once the car is stationary, keep your foot on the brake, put the transmission into Park, then very slowly release the foot brake to allow the car to gently take up the slack; what you want to avoid is a jolt against the transmission parking pawl.

Use the parking brake on steeper slopes. Keep your foot on the footbrake, put the transmission into neutral, apply the parking brake, release the footbrake and let the car take up the slack, and only then put the transmission into Park, again to avoid a jolt against the parking pawl. If you break that, you're in a whole new world of pain...

 

[Kerabo]

I don't think I've ever had one with an unlock button for the lever.

Regarding parking, on slight slopes many people don't bother to use the parking brake; the transmission parking pawl will hold it fine. Once the car is stationary, keep your foot on the brake, put the transmission into Park, then very slowly release the foot brake to allow the car to gently take up the slack; what you want to avoid is a jolt against the transmission parking pawl.

Use the parking brake on steeper slopes. Keep your foot on the footbrake, put the transmission into neutral, apply the parking brake, release the footbrake and let the car take up the slack, and only then put the transmission into Park, again to avoid a jolt against the parking pawl. If you break that, you're in a whole new world of pain...

thanks for the reply

Yes I have got into the habit of just leaving it in park.
You can feel the lever is tight so was lucky I was able to rock the car. I just wondered where it connects to the start system.
I haven’t looked at mine but as I said it showed on youtube pressing something at the down rear of the gate to release it. Maybe mine is not the same.
thanks again
Ken

 

[Kerabo]

I pulled the cover off and yes there is a small flap. It’s very easy to move and you think it’s doing nothing, but as soon as you touch it the gears unlock.
See pic's at the end of the screwdriver. The

Still like to know where the electrical switch is that isolates the starter.

thanks Ken

 

[DSM10000]

2006 C220 CDI


Can someone please explain how the Auto box lever connects to the start system Please.

I parked the car on a very small slope and parked by leaving in gear.

On returning to the car it just went click! Like it was flat. I knew it was not flat. Gear lever locked in the P position.

I rocked the car and managed to get the lever free and it then started.

how is the starter isolated by the gear linkage?

thank you

There is a gearbox inhibitor switch which will not engage the starter unless the gear lever is in Park or Neutral.

The gear lever is merely an electronically controlled switch and its position is read by the Transmission ECU, there is no mechanical linkage to the gearbox.

 

[Kerabo]

There is a gearbox inhibitor switch which will not engage the starter unless the gear lever is in Park or Neutral.

The gear lever is merely an electronically controlled switch and its position is read by the Transmission ECU, there is no mechanical linkage to the gearbox.

Thank you
so a switch in the gearbox casing
I will investigate

 

[DSM10000]

Thank you
so a switch in the gearbox casing
I will investigate

I didn't say in the casing.

It might be part of the selector switch electronics that is underneath the gear lever trim.

 

[Kerabo]

I didn't say in the casing.

It might be part of the selector switch electronics that is underneath the gear lever trim.

Looked up a repair on YouTube and as you say inside of the lever housing is a printed circuit and some sort of switch.
I think I know enough that if I get stuck I can sort it.

Thanks again

 

[DSM10000]

Looked up a repair on YouTube and as you say inside of the lever housing is a printed circuit and some sort of switch.
I think I know enough that if I get stuck I can sort it.

Thanks again

Has any liquid been spilt on this circuit board?

Often a spray with contact cleaner can help.

 

[Kerabo]

Has any liquid been spilt on this circuit board?

Often a spray with contact cleaner can help.

Not by me.
a spray with cleaner won’t hurt
Thanks Ken