my car wont shift out of 1st gear. what would cause this? its an automatic.

Asked by vegasaarona Sep 14, 2007 at 05:58 AM about the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

not sure if its relevant but the battery died right before it happened. the battery hasnt been replaced yet.

71 Answers

83,685

Sounds like the transmission may have kicked into stay-alive mode because of low battery voltage. Replace the battery and see if that solves the problem.

183 people found this helpful.
1,700

The later model mercedes benz have an electronic gear shift assembly and I would not have a soda or coffee spill over the gear shift console because it will short the assembly out and your car transmission will not shift out of lower gear or will stay in a lim mode or you can manually shift to the D by depressing the buttom on the console. Good luck

157 people found this helpful.
2,170

i have the same problem with may mercedes-benz happin to 2 of them both c280 98,00, cause i let my detail man clean my car and he high pressure spray my engine now the car acts funny, it drives, but doesnt wanna shift outta of 1st gear? idk y its doing this i kno the car is wet i let dry for couple weeks & still the same thing & this is 2nd time

217 people found this helpful.
1,165

check gearbox oil level if its low it wont change up gears or will be slow to change up

116 people found this helpful.
12,505

The transmission is computer controlled a dead battery would affect it. Did you get a jump start from somebody? If you jumped the car incorrectly you could cause damage to the electrical system and possibly damaged the transmission computer and even the ECU.

124 people found this helpful.
1,010

my car wont go into ger is a clk 430 what can i do so that i can drive

101 people found this helpful.
6,625

If you have a late model c-class/clk and you can't shift it out of Park (P), try this... Open up the armrest/ storage compartment in the centre console, behind the gear shifter. Pull out the black liner thing at the front of the compartment. You should now see a hole in the front wall of the compartment where you just pulled the liner out. insert a suitably sized screw driver until you feel it stop on something inside the hole. Now, grab the gear lever and pull it out of park while at the same time pushing the screw driver against the thing that stopped it. This should activate the emergency release allowing you to drive the car but be warned, if you don't take the car to a garage to get the problem fixed then you will have to do this every time you want to drive the car.

69 people found this helpful.
1,150

Question: I have a 2007 Chevy Malibue and it wount shift out of first gear yes it"s automatic What can I check to find the problem

84 people found this helpful.
5,600

i have a Mercedes c230 model 1999 with auto electric Transmission: it's stuck in 1 gear and dose not change the gears!! when i pull on gear it shake's all the car... i'm based in kabul Afghanistan unfortunately there is no any good mechanic for Mercedes to know the problem of it!! Any one have an idea, what is the solution please?

562 people found this helpful.
1,130

My C320 would stuck at neutral when stop. Mb dealer charges 3000 to replace Transmission Control Board and Electronic Shift Module. Any comments?

114 people found this helpful.
3,000

I have a C200 1.8 petrol auto. For some reason it became low on transmission fluid and the gear changes became clunky, so I took it straight to my mechanic. He filled the transmission fluid up and the gear changes were back to normal, however it will suddenly just stick in 3rd gear. When it does this it will not let me manually change gear and I cannot switch between Sport and Comfort mode. As soon as it is turned off and resets, approx 30 secs, it is fine to drive again. Anyone got any ideas please?

300 people found this helpful.
2,040

2000 Mercedes E320 has the same problem as Detailerdeb had described "Detailerdeb answered 2 months ago I have a C200 1.8 petrol auto. For some reason it became low on transmission fluid and the gear changes became clunky, so I took it straight to my mechanic. He filled the transmission fluid up and the gear changes were back to normal, however it will suddenly just stick in 3rd gear. When it does this it will not let me manually change gear and I cannot switch between Sport and Comfort mode. As soon as it is turned off and resets, approx 30 secs, it is fine to drive again. Anyone got any ideas please?"

204 people found this helpful.
1,360

Hi can anyone help me on my e500 w211 year 2005 .when I shift in D or R it give a shock and on D its dnt change gear it stuck on 1st. Speed sensor check, solenoid check, filter change, oil change.

136 people found this helpful.
360

Hi All. thanks for this blog it helped alot, I have MB C200k Avantgarde petrol 1999, I have some weird and strange problem, Every day after few minutes of driving, The Rpm raves by itself with out me touching the accelator(in neutral) and the other problem is when i switch off the car the , its like i switched off the car 4 times in a row ,, i mean all the electronics go of on off on of on for in am tter of sec....i hope i an get some advices...many thanks

36 people found this helpful.
1,560

I got a Mercedes you can start it and put it in gear and it won't go what could be the problem any body have a clue

156 people found this helpful.
1,520

Before anyone spends too much money at a Dealership to have a shift problem looked at, check your battery. If it is weak (still may start car and lights are fine, but lacks sufficient volts/amps) it will send error codes to the computer and cause shifting (stuck in 1st or 2nd) problems. Change the battery and reset ALL of your error codes (usually requires a technician not just disconnecting your negative Batt. connection) and your car will be back in shape. If this doesn't work, then the problem could be with the transmission control module. Sometimes the trans. leaks fluid on the module and ruins the circuits. Usually it is just the battery that causes this issue....

152 people found this helpful.
930

Plz guys I need help I have a Mercedes c180 coupe auto for some reason my car drives but won't go over 3rd gear sports or normal mode button won't work and trip tronic does not aswell plz could help me

93 people found this helpful.
460

I got a 2001 c320 that wont go past reverse. Will go to park tho.did I break some or is it my transmission

46 people found this helpful.
550

Hi thanks for this forum its really helpful. I am having a problem with my C230, 2006 model it has a v6 engine 272 and manual transmission. Now the car starts and idles but does not rev. On the cluster there are two messages that are popping up. .. 1. It says check coolant level 2. Alternator not charging Now coolant is there and the battery is actually full. What can cause the problems of not revving on this car? Please help

55 people found this helpful.
820

Hi i have a 2006, C280 it stuck in 2nd gear, also I have change the transmission module and it still truck in 2nd. can some one help me please

82 people found this helpful.
730

Try resetting your transmission. 1- turn key to third position 2- Push gas pedal to the floor and hold for 1 min. 3- turn key back to off position 4- leave key in ignition and wait for dash lights to go out completely with out opening door. 5- reset should be complete. 6- this will put your transmission back to factory settings. new MB's have the capacity to learn driving habits, and your transmission will shift according to your driving habits. when resetting your transmission be sure to be on open road. the first 45 shifts will be your new shift patterns.

73 people found this helpful.
280

how can you manually move the gearshift in 1999 clk 320, there is no pin hole on top or under cover, or no yellow tap or button on back on mechanism to push. Its stuck in park.

28 people found this helpful.
290

My 2006 Mercedes C180 Kompressor auto went strange today, Battery alternator light came on, radio went off indicators didn't work interior lights didn't work, ABS & SRS lights and coolant light came on and car wouldn't change gear, every so often it would rectify itself. Got it home turned engine off and back on and it was ok

29 people found this helpful.
770

ok guys i know im kinda late but my mercedes is stuck in 2nd gear limp mode wont go from there or change the driving modes its stuck in sport ive chaged the conductor plate oil filter oil pan it was shifting for a 5 mins and it stopped again i also checked the tcm on it and it was good and my battery is brand new can it be that the small battery is low and it doesn't let it shift or should i check my ecu

31 people found this helpful.
770

I fixed mine replaced conductor plate erased all the codes and bam shifts like a brand new car doesn't slip anymore

14 people found this helpful.
190

i have a c330 cdi auto 2004.stuck gear one dosent shift. i replaced battery but didnt work. i went to mercedes for Diagnostic test they found floor shift module. i just would like to know what to do?

19 people found this helpful.
770

Try resetting your codes it may help but the code is gonna come back eventually than you replace the part thats broken and reset codes again and thats it thats what i did to mine P.S find somebody who has like professional equipment for check engine light reset

10 people found this helpful.
180

my car can change to gear 3..only 1and2.....what could be the cause

18 people found this helpful.
770

Same answer conductor plate or just erase the codes

3 people found this helpful.
120

I have a 2003 c230 kompressor hatchback. Car goes into limp mode. Changed trans conductor plate a few yrs ago on something unrelated. Recently had the transmission taken apart, cleaned out, etc and put back together. Cost like 2200. Mechanic says if it happens again it needs a whole new transmission. I don't believe him. Cages not been driven heavily and onl had like 140k Mis. I am thinking it's something small an he doesn't want to take the time to investigate and would rather just replace it all. Any ideas?

12 people found this helpful.
770

Check your speed sensors idk what else man trannys don't die on these cars that easy. And btw find a mechanic that only works with the transmissions he has all the right equipment and also check your battery voltage and make sure its tge right battery for your car nothing smaller and nothing bigger. Also check you tcm (transmission control module) that might be a problem. Idk what else man it took me a few days to figure my car out. So have fun with it it's just a piece of german garbage lol. Im fixing my alternator right now i can't drive this piece of junk for couple of days without him breaking some stupid shit for no reason. So anyways do as i said check everything it's gonna take time and nerves but it's worth it after its fixed

10 people found this helpful.
90

Good Morning, I am having the same problem in the changes of my car mercedes CLA 220 auto amg. The car made a noise when it was driving and it went down. Then I called and when I made changes it made a strange noise to scratch, but now it does not shift. Mercedes does not know what to say, the panel shows problems in the gearbox, the car turns on but it does not leave the parking lot, that is, it does not make changes. He said it was the electric plate of the gearbox, I changed it and the problem remains, the car does not walk because it does not make shift.

9 people found this helpful.
290

1999 slk230. Stuck in nuetrslChanged fluid, filter, conductor plate and 13 pin connector. Shifted great for 300 miles. Then stuck in 1st. Changed tcm, shifted for 50 miles, now its stuck in first again does anyone really know the answer to this problem?

23 people found this helpful.
770

Try changing your shifter buddy my merc had same problem i took off the shifter and replaced it and it works now. But something is really wrong w the whole car now the key won't turn when i put it in ignition and i just gave up and bought a new car mercedes sucks ass big time

9 people found this helpful.
70

what is the SW Baton in Mercedes benz next to the shifting geer

7 people found this helpful.
290

the sw button is for summer and winter driving. in winter mode, the car starts off in second gear so the tires don't spin so easily

6 people found this helpful.
120

Now it won't switch out of first every since I pushed the summer/winter button,(didn't know what button was)

12 people found this helpful.
310

almost 3 years back, c180 w203 . as i was driving there was a knocking sound from the gearbox.. i was doing about 40km/h. then got stuck the that gear. i then drove it home, changed the plate and 13 pin, the car starts and moves to reverse and drive but it still does not change gears. after starting the car, when you engage either reverse or drive it clicks and kicks a bit heavily. what might be the course.? someone told me to reset the car. i have done it more that 10 times it still doe not change gears. can someon please help

31 people found this helpful.
20

GuruTVPF2 did you figure anything out on your car yet??

2 people found this helpful.
30

just changed the valve body plate and plug car still won't go in gear in overdrive mechanic now say's need a new transmission

3 people found this helpful.
60

Hello everyone, Im desperatley need some help and advice. Am I missing the obvious? I am borrowing my Dads Sprinter as I am moving house and have no were to stay for a few weeks. I drove it to Devon from Cornwall last wek and it ran fine. I have had it parked up for a week and have been starting it everyday. A few days ago it had a flat battery so I have recharged it and it starts again fine. However when I turn the ignition the asr light comes on. It switches off as soon as I start the engine. I then try to put it into auto, 1 or R and it wont go anywhere. It revs up like it wants to and I hear the click like the gears are engaging but it wont pull away. Please help me am I missing the obvious? I have also noticed the locking system is a bit hap hazard. Sometimes I think I have locked it but the doors still open or the lights on the locking switch are still flashing?

6 people found this helpful.
60

High failure rate with those conductor plates and 13 pin connector, do BOTH, also new filter./gasket for pan. MUST have the dipstick for the transmission. If you make the repair, and underfill or overfill you will still have an issue. Measure in park 80 c, as the dipstick indicates. I just went through this adding the last litre of new fluid got it back to normal. I have 722.6 5 speed auto in a C 240

6 people found this helpful.
40

ATF in my C200 runs out quickly even without leakage. What can be the cause?

4 people found this helpful.
130

THIS is the answer that you need to know about Mercedes not shifting out of first gear replace the conductor plate if that does not work replaced the TCM TRANSMISSION COMPUTER MODULE AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE IT TO MERCEDES FOR THEM TO HOOK IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND REPROGRAM IT.

13 people found this helpful.
170

I have a Mercedes c200 and it’s stuck in gear 1 when u drive can’t manually change gear and it won’t go out of sports and wet mode anyone know how to fix or what the problem is

17 people found this helpful.
70

Hi, need a little help, I have a Mercedes A170 auto!atic, when driving it won't shift.out of 2nd gear and F is showing up on dash board and engine light. any ideas?

7 people found this helpful.
130

Hi, please help I have a c240 MB at some point the gear selector doesn't show on the dashboard when you try to pull it on drive or reverse it shakes the all car and won't shift from first gear. Does anyone know?

13 people found this helpful.
30

Please anyone,,I have cls mercedes Benz 350 amg 2005 ,,after change the break pads rear left and the sensor the sensor signal keep popping up,,

3 people found this helpful.
20

Hi guys please help I have c270 auto it's not selecting gears when I put it on p an rev it's rev but r and d no rev

2 people found this helpful.
70

Hello - My mercedes is much older 1983. 3000D. We have converted it to run on veggie oil during summer. Sometimes (about 30% of the time), it just stuck in 1st and the revs go up and then it violently shudders into 2nd. The rest of the time, it just shifts gently into each gear. I am taking it to the garage, but I like to know ahead of time what this is about. Thank you.

7 people found this helpful.
20

Hello! I have a MB W203 C200K 2002 . It need force to go on gear 1 . After 15min when the car warms up shifts is normal. I need your helps. Thanks

2 people found this helpful.
30

After you do whatever it is you do, whether it be changing conductor plate, or valve body or TCU, you have got to clear the codes. Not just the OBD codes from the connector port under the steering wheel next to the hood release but also from the 38- pin round connector in the main fuse box under the hood. That’s where you get to communicate with the TCU and clear it’s codes. After that it should work. If not, replace the whole transmission and clear codes again. I ended up doing that and it worked fine and never gave me any problems since.

3 people found this helpful.
60

so my sl 500 would get stuck in 1st gear--had to turn the car off and it would reset. I think the problem is there is a down shifter that controls the down shifting of the transmission when u need it to if this is stuck or blocked the vehicle can't upshit on acceleration there fore not allowing the usual operation. Found if I moved and cleaned the shifter it did work properly Not sure if this helps but ???

6 people found this helpful.
30

I have a 2008 Mercedes ML 350 and the it won't get past 2nd gear-goes to neutral. Needs a hole new transmission. Very disappointing car. Never again.

3 people found this helpful.
70

I have a 2001 Mercedes E320 that won't shift out of first nor does the odometer work. This happened suddenly. Any suggestions? Thanks.

7 people found this helpful.
10

i have c180 Mercedes gear is not changing and is not start i don't know that the key is the one have problem or not because the battery is new

1 people found this helpful.

Sometimes when I get in my Mercedes 2006 CLS 500 it wont crank on the first start I'll wait for 30 seconds and in a startup the other day I had to wait about 10 minutes before it started and that time I tried to crank it two or three times and it wouldn't start but after I waited for 8 to 10 minutes and started up

I own a 2006 cls500 when I get in my car to try to start it it won't start on the first try then I wait for approximately 10-15 seconds and it starts up yesterday I tried to start it after I had driven it and it wouldn't start this time it wouldn't prank on the second or even the third crank it did after it set for about 8 minutes what do you think the problem might be

Hi I have a 2010 Mercedes E350 cdi auto blue efficiency and when in gear it is hardly moving without high revs. I cant feel it moving into gear when changing from drive to reverse like normal. It was a bit noisy and juddered today when changing up a gear. There has been some fluid in a puddle on the road but I live on a main road with cars pulling in and out all the time and do dont know if its from my car. I would be grateful for any advice

20

I have a benz c220d automatic 2015 and recently its struggling to change gear. Most times it get stucked on gear 4,5 and normally when am on motor way 60kph it's always on gear 7. But now it either stays in 4 or 5. Some days it works perfectly. Can anyone help me. I know my battery is weak. Can anyone help me out

2 people found this helpful.
20

Hey i have a 2016 CLA Mercedes, the battery died and i got a jump now it cuts on. But it’s stuck in PARK. Wont let me put it in drive, reverse or neutral. Please help

2 people found this helpful.

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