Removing the shifter in your 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 might seem daunting, but with the right steps and a bit of patience, it’s a task you can accomplish at home. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you can safely remove your E300’s shifter for repair or replacement. While this process is focused on the mechanical removal, remember that diagnosing electronic shifter issues might also involve using your OBD2 port for error code analysis.
To begin, we need to access the shifter mechanism. Start by gently removing the wood panel surrounding the shifter. You can grip the edge near the cup holder and carefully pull upwards. It’s usually held in place by clips, so a firm, even pull should release it.
Once the wood panel is removed, you’ll see the range switch and its associated harnesses. Disconnect these carefully. There are two harnesses: a 2-wire harness, which is likely for the backup lights and may have a retention clip, and a multi-wire harness, which is the computer harness. The computer harness typically pulls straight back without a retention clip, but be sure to use the grip on the plug head to avoid damaging the wires.
Next, you will need to remove the four 5mm hex bolts that secure the shifter to the floor pan. With these bolts removed, you can lift the shifter assembly out of the floor pan. Be aware that it will still be connected to the linkage underneath.
Now, to detach the shift knob, locate the black collar under the knob. Grasp this collar, rotate it (usually a quarter turn), and then pull the knob upwards to remove it.
With the shift knob off, focus on the shifter body itself. You’ll notice four tabs located around its perimeter. These tabs hold the cover in place and need to be released to remove it. A helpful trick is to use thin strips of plastic, like those cut from a food container, as wedges. Pry one tab open slightly and insert a plastic strip to keep it from re-engaging. Repeat this for all four tabs. This can be tricky as they tend to re-latch if you don’t keep them wedged open.
Once all four tabs are released, you can lift off the cover. Underneath, you’ll find the switch cartridge. This cartridge also houses the PRND4321 LEDs at the top. To remove the cartridge, simply grasp it firmly and pull straight up.
The cartridge can be disassembled quite easily. Be cautious of a small spring associated with the W/S (Winter/Summer) switch lever, so it doesn’t get lost during disassembly.
When reassembling the cartridge, take note of a small window on the side marked with an “R”. Inside this window, there’s a white flag that should only be visible when the internal mechanism is aligned to the “R” (Reverse) position. When reinstalling the cartridge, ensure both the cartridge mechanism and the shifter itself are in the “R” position. This alignment ensures that the pin on the main shaft correctly engages with the slot in the cartridge mechanism.
This detailed guide should help you confidently remove the shifter in your 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. Remember to proceed carefully and methodically, and if you encounter any electronic issues or warning lights after reassembly, you might need to use an OBD2 scanner to check for diagnostic trouble codes related to the shifter or transmission system. While this guide focuses on the physical removal, always consider the electronic components and diagnostics when working on modern vehicles.
