W202 C250D (manual gearbox) stuck in first gear

[marm]

Had to abort a road trip yesterday due to not being able to select gears. Car is stuck in first. Shifter feels physically stuck - I resisted the temptation to force it, decided instead that being stuck in first was better than being stuck in neutral, and limped home with the engine screaming at 25mph

Clutch seems to be working fine.

I haven't had a look yet, just got back from the trip which I did in the second car instead... should I have a poke around, take it to my mechanic, or just get shot?

Seems like a selection rather than a box issue but who knows. The car has done 178K miles but apparently had a replacement gearbox fitted not that long ago.

If there's anything easy to check maybe I'll have a look tomorrow.

 

[neilrr]

What year?

Turbo diesel or just diesel?

 

[marm]

What year?

Turbo diesel or just diesel?

1997. Turbo.

 

[grober]

Problem could be external- gearshift mechanism related, or internal -selector forks, or non gearbox -clutch not fully disengaging. The Mercedes manual box gearshift mechanism is slightly unusual --rather than direct there are 3 longish selector rods running down the passenger side of the gearbox to levers. They have flexible bushes and retaining washers which can come adrift- worth checking out. Internal selector fork problem might be related to the recent rebuilt/reconditioned gearbox?? A clutch problem might be related to the thrust bearing forks -the clutch cylinder- or fluid leakage - check the level??

 

[marm]

Problem could be external- gearshift mechanism related, or internal -selector forks, or non gearbox -clutch not fully disengaging. The Mercedes manual box gearshift mechanism is slightly unusual --rather than direct there are 3 longish selector rods running down the passenger side of the gearbox to levers. They have flexible bushes and retaining washers which can come adrift- worth checking out. Internal selector fork problem might be related to the recent rebuilt/reconditioned gearbox?? A clutch problem might be related to the thrust bearing forks -the clutch cylinder- or fluid leakage - check the level??

Thanks!

Fairly sure it's not the clutch as this seems fine when driving. Also it's impossible to pull it out of gear even with the engine stopped. Is that logical?

Re the external faults you mention (i.e. bushes and washers) where should I be looking?

 

[grober]

Here's a picture of the 5 speed manual gear box 717.460 showing the 3 selector levers on the side of the gearbox complete with rubber bushes
iirc the rods are held in place with spring clips- they all work in conjunction with each other if one has come loose you might get the symptom you describe? A quick visual inspection and feel underneath should check whether everything is where it should be.

 

[marm]

Thanks, I'll crawl under it tomorrow.

 

[neilrr]

Did you get to the bottom of this?

 

[marm]

Did you get to the bottom of this?

Thanks for asking! So far I've not been able to face crawling under it. My trolley jack is buried in the deepest corner of the shed. Normally I'd use the ramps but there's no reverse on the car...

Lame excuses I know.

I'll probably limp it along to my friendly local mechanic in the next couple of days... he's been on holiday.

 

[spoton]

interestingly mine did exactly the same one day this summer but in reverse blocking the main road through our busy village, afraid brute force was the only option touch wood it hasnt happened again and Ive no idea what caused it

 

[marm]

interestingly mine did exactly the same one day this summer but in reverse blocking the main road through our busy village, afraid brute force was the only option touch wood it hasnt happened again and Ive no idea what caused it

That is interesting! As I say, I have so far resisted the temptation to force it, as being stuck in neutral would be worse... but you've got me thinking.

 

[marm]

OK, the prize goes to spoton.

My mechanic managed to "tap" it out of gear, and it's now apparently fine. Hope it doesn't do it again. I didn't pick up the car myself, but when I see him next I'll get him to show me how he did it.