Mercedes 280ge stuck in 1st and 2nd gear

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Gibson
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Hi!

I have run into an issue where my Merc is onlt able to select 1st or 2nd gear it won't let me move into R, 3 or 4. Does anyone have an ideas for this please :)

It was fine about a week ago and got into today and its now like that.

If this helps its a 280ge w460

Thanks in advance for any help!

Joe

gav.helme
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Re: Mercedes 280ge stuck in 1st and 2nd gear

Assume it's a manual?

The bushes on either end of the shift rods wear and deteriorate with contamination 

Sometimes it allows the shift rods to bind together 

You can see them underneath between lever and box, they will be close but shouldn't be touching or stuck together

JASONGDS
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Re: Mercedes 280ge stuck in 1st and 2nd gear

Again assuming its Manual?  Follow the selector rods to the bottom of the gearstick,  probably rusty, especially if you have driven through heavy rain etc, spray with oil with assistant moving gear stick?

Gibson
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Re: Mercedes 280ge stuck in 1st and 2nd gear

Hi!

Thanks for the help and yes it is a manual sorry forgot the most important part!

I have checked to see if the rods have binded together and they look fine and i've checked as best as I can under the gear selector but I can't really see or get to it at all. Is it one of those things that If i just fire some oil at it with a straw or that, that may do the job or do i need to get right up in there?

Also i have a feeling its actually stuck in 3rd and 4th as when i try to move the vehicle it really struggles so not sure if that changes anything?

Thanks for your help :)

Joe

Jdring
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Re: Mercedes 280ge stuck in 1st and 2nd gear

It can't be stuck in 3rd and 4th. :o

But if in gear you would hear the engine compression, or watch the fanbelt turn.

I had a 230GE once which was hard to get into 1st and 2nd because the gear stick was hard against the console opening.. was wearing out the rubber gaiter too.  But this sounds like linkage.  Maybe worn linkage connections with too much play, or seized up as suggested.

Gibson
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Re: Mercedes 280ge stuck in 1st and 2nd gear

Jdring wrote:

It can't be stuck in 3rd and 4th. :o

But if in gear you would hear the engine compression, or watch the fanbelt turn.

I had a 230GE once which was hard to get into 1st and 2nd because the gear stick was hard against the console opening.. was wearing out the rubber gaiter too.  But this sounds like linkage.  Maybe worn linkage connections with too much play, or seized up as suggested.

 

Hi! 

by stuck in 3rd and 4th i meant on the initial post it said it would only select 1st or 2nd but it seems to actually be 3rd and 4th sorry should have been clearer :)

The car starts and everything, the clutch will select 3rd or 4th and try to move.

Is there an easier way to look at the linkages as I'm stuggling to actually see or get my hands close to it?

Thanks again :)

JASONGDS
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Re: Mercedes 280ge stuck in 1st and 2nd gear

You need something to lie on , a good torch! Follow selector rods to behind the gearbox to the " hockey sticks" trace these to the top at the bottom of the transmission tunnel, examine for rust dirt etc, alternatively you may have a clutch issue?