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The stick seems to only move forward and back - missing something? Very new to Mercedes

Started by jordan_l_newtown, 14-10-2023 11:42 AM. 23 replies. 612 views.
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#1
jordan_l_newtown Junior Member
jordan_l_newtown avatar
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Newtown NSW
Posts: 329

The stick seems to only move forward and back am I missing something or is there a trick to these old shifters?
I'm very new to Mercedes used to old fords and these are very different.

W108 dusty auto floor shifter cone-shaped knob

#2
Boonie_W108 Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Marrickville NSW
Posts: 1,418
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: '67 W108 250SE

JORDAN WELCOME..

THATS A 4 SPEED AUTO..P R N D 3 2.

FORWARD AND BACK IS HOW IT WORKS. THERE IS NO H PATTERN. U GOOD MATE.

#3
Cousin_Johnny_M Luxury Car Sales - Auburn
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Earlwood NSW
Posts: 1,516
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1981 W123 280CE

BRO.. jordan..

Pull the shifter knob off (it unscrews anticlockwise) and look at the dial underneath. There's an indicator window stamped P R N D 3 2 L. The 4-speed Mercedes 722 auto box selector is straight-line, no H-pattern. The forward-back motion is correct.

Your old Ford trans was column-shift H-pattern or floor T-handle automatic. This is the older "gated" automatic - press the button on the side of the knob and it'll lift thru the gates. P at the front, L at the back.

If the knob is missing the dial window or button, get a new one off McStarparts $48 with the chrome surround.

#4
Vasilios_Billy  
Lifetime Benzer
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 1,699
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 2020 AMG GT C

Jordan - to add to Boonie and Johnny: the 4-speed Mercedes 722 auto in your 250S is a hydraulic-pneumatic transmission.. the gates between P and L are physical detents - you should feel a slight resistance as you move through each position. If you DON'T feel detents and the shifter just slides freely, the click-stop springs inside the selector mechanism are worn out. That's a 1-hour fix with the centre console out..

If the gates do click correctly and the trans is actually shifting through P-R-N-D-3-2-L as you move the lever, you're golden. Welcome to the forum, welcome to Mercedes, welcome to a car that will outlive every Ford you've owned.

#5
jordan_l_newtown Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Newtown NSW
Posts: 329

Boys you legends.. pulled the knob off this morning and sure enough P R N D 3 2 L stamped on the indicator. Trans engages every gear smoothly forward and back. I was just expecting an H-pattern like every car I've ever driven. Cheers for not laughing at me..

#6
Boonie_W108 Senior Member
Boonie_W108 avatar
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Marrickville NSW
Posts: 1,418
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: '67 W108 250SE

NO LAUGHING AT NEW W108 OWNERS MATE. WELCOME.

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