E Klasse Transfer Case Limp Mode Transmission Issues

My 2009 Mercedes E Klasse with a gasoline engine is giving me fits. I've got 171820 km on the clock. The transfer case seems to be stuck in some kind of limp home mode. The gearbox is slipping and the shifts are super unclean. I've heard it could be linked to the ABS, something about the control module freaking out and causing consequential faults. Has anyone else seen this before? It's throwing a powertrain malfunction warning too.

4 comment(s)

Sounds familiar. I had similar weirdness with my E Klasse, though I can't remember the year. Gearbox acted up, felt like it was fighting me. Did you check the wheel speed sensors? Apparently, a bad sensor can mess with the whole system.

Wheel speed sensors, huh? That's interesting. So, if one of those sensors is acting up, it could throw the transfer case into limp mode? Is that what you're thinking?

Could be. That's what my mechanic thought anyway. It's all tied together somehow with the ABS and the control module. Honestly, I'd get it scanned with a proper diagnostic tool to see what codes pop up. It's probably best to take it to a workshop.

Thanks a bunch for the tip! Took it to my usual guy and you were spot on. Turns out a dodgy ABS sensor was indeed the culprit. Replaced it, cleared the codes, and the transfer case is back to normal. Gearbox shifts smooth as butter again. Cost me nothing, the sensor was still under warranty!

Join the discussion now: