[cruzer555]

My E430 was front ended and the car won't start now, key won't come out of the ignition. It really doesn't look like the engine has moved from the impact but thats the only thing I can think of, I need ideas basically, if anyone knows anything I'd love to hear it. I'll post up pics of the damage tomorrow if it helps diagnose it
Thanks,
Bob

 

[Tubers]

Really sorry to hear of your situation Bob. I hope you are ok!

As for your Benz, I would think it has something to do with the shifter interlock. Reading the codes would be my first thought since any programmed function preventing the key removal should show up in the OBDII codes.

I did find this via a quick Google search, may be related ... or not.

The coaxial cable from the gear lever had popped out. Apparently a safety feature to ensure that the doors unlock in an accident. An auto electrician took less than 5 minutes to correct the fault and no tools are needed. You simply lift the gear lever and surrounding fascia which reveals the cable on the right of the lever which I can now do myself if it ever happens again!

MBWorld.org Forums - View Single Post - Key FOB stuck in ignition - 2007 C180

 

[cruzer555]

I am ok seeing as I wasn't the one who crashed it it was my grandfathers car, he crashed it but he is fine (this is a mercedes of course safest car on the road!) and he just ordered a 2014 E550 and gave this to me to fix up as a project.

I haven't looked into it much further since my post the other day but I'm in agreement that it must have to do with the shifter.
The car won't go into drive and while the lever can be put into park it doesn't actually put the car in park, and you can't take the key out till it's in park...

By the way can you check if your car goes into drive without the engine on? And also if you don't mind see if it starts in neutral or just park. Thanks

According to my research this car doesn't have a coaxial cable to the lever like the C class you linked to, but thanks anyway for the link

 

[cruzer555]

This is it

 

[71_340]

First, I am glad your grandfather didn't get hurt in the accident.

Now, why do you worry about the key. It is a 99 model and, looking at it, is probably a total loss...so why bother.

Just trying to be realistic.

 

[cruzer555]

Don't say things before you know the facts, he bought the car new and BABIED the shit out of it:
-64k original miles
-never in snow and barely driven in winter at all
-the entire body of the car had not a single door ding scratch scuff or flaw of any kind, with the exception of a chip the size of a pen tip
-interior looks never sat in, literally could pass for new in any showroom
-not one curb was ever hit by the wheels
-tires have full tread and the tank was literally filled with 93 2 miles before the accident

Now, I'm sure you'll agree that before the crash this car was about as good as it gets, still think I should just crush it?!


PS, I'd like to add that I'd agree with you wholeheartedly if it was a typical 14 year old car, with typical miles and rust and door dings etc etc. I wouldn't have even taken the car home if I didn't know it was worth fixing.

 

[71_340]

I wasn't downing your car, fact is that by looking at the pictures the adjuster will total your car. They don't care how nice it was yesterday, the low miles is a factor though.

I guess you can always buy it back for the residual value and fix it with used parts but then you have a car with a salvage title which is worth a lot less then what it cost you to put yours back on the road.

Anyway, really no need to discuss or argue, just wait until the adjuster gives you his/her verdict. They always have the last word.

 

[cruzer555]

Ohhhh I'm sorry I thought you were saying it was physically not worth fixing, which I know is wrong because I can do it myself.

It's already totaled, but they let me keep the title clean, it's NJ law over 8 years old no need for a salvage title. That's why its worth fixing.

Now if anyone can help me with my key/shifter problem that'd be great, because I am fixing the car, it's already apart with good silver used parts on order:

 

[71_340]

I did a Google search, look at the two links;

key stuck in ignition - MBWorld.org Forums

Key Stuck In Ignition - Stuck In Park - Mercedes Forum - Mercedes Benz Enthusiast Forums

How did you get the car home? I assume you had it towed, if so, can you move it while it is in P? Maybe the shift linkage is unhooked or bent? Is the battery connected since there are electrical as well as mechanical components involved in the interlock system?

I hope this helps you and good luck with your rebuilt.

 

[cruzer555]

Thanks for the links, gives me some more stuff to look into...

The car was towed away from the scene to the MB dealer, then from the dealer to my house, I haven't tried moving it in P, pretty sure it would be able to move though cause it doesn't feel like it's going into park properly (feels really loose no solid clunk into P). I'll try and look at the linkage I guess I have to remove the console to do that...

 

[71_340]

I would take a look underneath, there is actually a mechanical linkage from the shift tower going to the transmission. Just be safe and use jack stands.

 

[RichM50]

"It's already totaled, but they let me keep the title clean, it's NJ law over 8 years old no need for a salvage title"

This is why Jersey has such a bad reputation for used cars, and why you should never buy a used car that was titled there.

 

[71_340]

Here in Missouri you will get a Salvage Title and the value went down about 30%, another problem is that some companies will not even sell you liability insurance.

I guess it pays to get a carfax report before buying a used vehicle.

 

[RichM50]

Same in Texas. Any car written off by an insurance company regardless of age, if rebuilt will carry a salvage title. It also goes into the searchable database of insurance write offs.

 

[Tubers]

Thanks for the links, gives me some more stuff to look into...

The car was towed away from the scene to the MB dealer, then from the dealer to my house, I haven't tried moving it in P, pretty sure it would be able to move though cause it doesn't feel like it's going into park properly (feels really loose no solid clunk into P). I'll try and look at the linkage I guess I have to remove the console to do that...

I'll check on the things you asked earlier in a little bit here (starting, shifting, etc.).

One thing about the Benz design is that the drivetrain is set up to separate from the vehicle if the force is great enough. The motor mounts and transmission mount will tear loose (it does take quite a bit, but it will happen) so as not to penetrate the passenger compartment. This is relevant because the pictures show the car took a pretty decent hit square on the nose, which likely shifted the drivetrain and perhaps damaged the mounts. If the shift linkage fails to line up, you may think you are putting the transmission in park, but it is not quite there.

Just a thought.