W and S Switch. c280

[tonyc280]

Just a general question I've been meaning to ask for the last six months since acquiring my beautiful c280 Elegance. My question is how much difference should there be between The W and S Settings. I personally cannot seem to sence any difference. Cheers, Tony.

 

[Dieselman]

Select S, drive off slowly and pull the stick back into 1st. If the box changes down, it's stuck in W.

 

[AMGeed]

Selecting W should mean the car drives off in 2nd gear.
Also understand the gear changes take place lower down the rev range as well when in W.

 

[Lenny63]

As Dieselman says - they tend to stick in W as the little switch pushes inwards in this position and with fluff, dirty and general wear - there is a how to guide on the forum

 

[tonyc280]

Thanks chappies for your prompt replies. I've tried the gear shift thingy and all is good so maybe its my dumb brain not taking things in, Hahhh.

 

[tonyc280]

Any more ideas peep's as i still cant tell the difference between W ans S. Cheers, Tony.

 

[BlackC55]

Maybe the switch doesn't work?

 

[Dieselman]

It must be in S, otherwise the gearbox would downshift to 1st when pulling the stick back.

 

[E55BOF]

It must be in S, otherwise the gearbox would downshift to 1st when pulling the stick back.

Logically, the conclusion must be that the W position is not working, surely, and Black C55 is spot on?

 

[Rory]

Doesn't this model have a dash indicator for W & S? I know mine is later, but it tells me if it's in S or C (C replaced W).

Having said that, there was a recent discussion about 5 speed boxes and one member was adamant his car started in 1st whatever was selected.

 

[Dieselman]

Logically, the conclusion must be that the W position is not working, surely, and Black C55 is spot on?

When they fail, they stick in W.

 

[E55BOF]

When they fail, they stick in W.

I don't question that as a generalisation for a moment, but if the car does not display the symptoms of that failure, then it would seem that in this case it is not stuck in W. Either there's nothing wrong, and the OP is just suffering from the same paranoia we all get driving old cars, or the W mode is not working.

E55BOF

 

[Dieselman]

To check the W mode, put it in W drive off slowly, pull the stick back and it will change down.

Not a hard test, especially since it has already been mentioned for S mode.

 

[E55BOF]

I understood from the OP's second post that he had done the "setting off slowly in S, stick back" test, and the car had NOT changed down, so it isn't stuck in W. If in fact it DID change down, it's stuck in W.

Tony, what did it do?

 

[230K]

Another test is on a steep hill the car will run backwards in S but will hold firm in W whilst in D idling.

If the car is holding on a steep hill put it into S and it should run back. If it doesnt change it most likely stuck in W.

Little push rod on the w/s switch usually the culprit. Clean out the dirt and grime and all should be fine.

There is a pictorial that I put up. Search 230k w/s switch

230k

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