Gearshift

From W220 S-Class Encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

Transmission shifter

Shifter console related parts in EPC

The M-B Transmission Selector allows the driver to select the required mode for the automatic transmission with the choices being usually;

  • Park
  • Reverse
  • Neutral
  • Drive (with a choice for manually selecting higher or lower gears if required)

Transmission shifter linkage rod connection

A very common issue with all W220 transmissions is that the linkage bushing wears out and the metal clip corrodes.

This may result in a situation when gear shifter gets disconnected from transmission rod, thereby preventing to change gears using the gear shifter.

Parts:

  • A2109920010 - bushing / shifting rod to shift lever
  • A0009944360 - clip / shifting rod to shift lever
Bushing (A2109920010)
Clip (A0009944360)
Gear shifting rod linkage
Old bushing and broken clip
Temporary fix for broken clip

The bushing and clip can be replaced from inside the car, but this requires removal of the center console and the gear shifter.

However, it is much easier to replace it from underneath the car. To get access to the rod, a small part of exhaust heat shield has to be removed.

The video below shows how to replace the bushing and clip on W210 from underneath the car. W220 transmission uses different parts (see above) and on W220 the bushing can be replaced by hand without using any special tool.

W210 722.6 Linkage Bushing Replacement

Transmission shifter stuck in park

A common issue is that the transmission shifter becomes stuck in the park position thus disabling the vehicle.

If you notice it is hard to move the transmission gear from Park to Drive, or that it is not shifting as easily as before, take it as a warning sign and follow the instructions in the following video to replace the little plastic lever inside the shifter assembly before it is stuck in Park and the car has to be towed to a mechanic. This applies to 2000 - 2006 W220 S500, S430, CL500, and 2001-2006 S55 AMG.

Part numbers are 2202679924 (the car in video, 2000 S500) - around $42 from Amazon as of May 2023 - and 2202679724 ($27). Unless you know exactly which to buy, purchase both and return the one that doesn't fit.

Permanently Fix Stuck Shifter by Masood


In case of emergency, a stuck shifter can be moved out from the park position using force:

Move stuck shifter using vibrations.
Move stuck shifter using hammer.

The most common cause for this problem is a plastic lever that breaks inside the shifter. Another cause for the problem could be a defective brake light switch (or blown fuse f16 - stop signal switch).

A broken plastic lever can be replaced with an aftermarket metal lever (~30 EUR from eBay using the keyword "W220 trans shifter lever"). To properly replace the lever, a rivet gun and 3 aluminium rivets are needed. The original rivets are of size 3.2x12mm, but in practice 3.2x8mm rivets will work as well.

Aftermarket metal lever vs the original broken plastic lever
Reinstalling aluminium rivets

The broken plastic part can be removed without replacing it, but doing so defeats the brake/shifter interlock, as it will be possible to move the shift lever at all times even with ignition on or off. If you plan to leave unattended children in the car, this fix may not be right for you in which case you should replace the broken pieces to restore the safety feature to its original condition.

Mercedes Shifter Removal
How to repair stuck shifter, replace shifter lever
Car stuck in park p1
Car Stuck in park p2
Shifter lever plastic replacement with metal part.
Shifter lever diagnosis.

Shift knob

Removing shift knob

  1. Unlock the shifter knob by turning conterclockwise on the chrome part of the knob until it stops, only 1/4 of a turn is necessary.
  2. Lift the knob straight up off the shaft. Do this in N position if you have large hands so when the knob is coming off of the shaft you don't hit the COMAND screen and center console.
Shifter knob Removal.

Fixing loose shift knob

Incorrect removal procedure by trying to twist the knob, will damage the plastic core of the gear knob and knob will become loose. One way to fix a loose knob is to use type around the shaft. The idea is to build up some thickness on the shaft. Do not wrap anything around the chrome bezel area, it won't do anything but stop the knob returning to it's original locked position. Only wrap the top part of the shaft.

Dissecting shift knob

  1. Use cord to tie up the plastic core and to pull the plastic ring off.
  2. Pour in some alcohol in between the wood part and the plastic core. Alcohol will soften the glue. Tier it gently until it comes off.
  3. KEYLESS-GO button is attached from the bottom with two T6 screws.
Plastic ring pulled off from the plastic core.
Wood part separated from the plastic core.
KEYLESS-GO button removed.
Shift knob (A2202671510) fully dissected.
Shift knob with new leather.
Pre-facelift shift knob dissected.