E320 W210 Gearbox troubles

[tvr tommy]

Has anyone experienced this problem with there transmission, on a 5 speed automatic?

I'm having problems with the gearbox on my newly acquired W210 E320. When you start the car up you can select all the gears using the Tip when stationary. It also selects fine when you start driving and will go up and down the box fine. But at about half a mile into the journey the car will get stuck in one gear. Sometimes when I’am manual selecting gears the gearbox seems to loss drive. But if you come off the throttle and then try again it will be fine. Then the box will get stuck in the one gear and when your pulling away you can feel the box slipping. If you then turn the engine off and straight on again the gearbox will select gears fine again for a bit and then gets stuck in the same gear again. The car doesn't go into limp mode or store a malfunction on the dash (trip) computer.

So does anyone have any ideas what it could be? I will also get it plug into to a Mercedes fault finding machine as soon a possible. But would like to get an idea of what the problem maybe.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KLP 92]

Sounds like the electric plate int he gearbox is playing up. needs to go on diagnostics and have the fault codes read.

Normally its the electric plate, if its higher on the miles or has been superchipped it may be the gearbox slipping.

 

[tvr tommy]

The car does have 150K on the clock but not shore about it being superchipped.

There is a receipt from previous gearbox work. I've been having a read of some of the old post on here. It has been mentioned that it could be down to low gearbox oil. I would check it but I don't have a dipstick for the car yet. I do have a 4 speed 300ce w124 which has a dipstick would anyone know if this would work on the w210?

I really don't want to wreck the box as it does function fully when it's working. So I'm guessing it's not a major internal problem. I've got to drive the car to work (7 miles) tomorrow where I will try and get it diagnosed as soon as possible.

 

[tvr tommy]

And just to add. The gearbox goes into reverse fine. Even when I'm having problems with the forward gears. Also when you go from R to N to D there are no nasty bangs or clonks.

 

[jaymanek]

Electric Plate... but best to get it onto a star diagnostic machine to tell you for sure.

 

[poisas]

Has anyone experienced this problem with there transmission, on a 5 speed automatic?

)) when i had trouble with a mechanical gearbox, in service they told me that 8 of 10 cars, who are having problems with gearbox having automatic gearbox and for todays cars its even worse because it has its own electronics same like other engine goodluck fixing it

 

[STU300TD]

BUMP!

I am having similar issues with my automatic W210.

It sometimes gets stuck in one gear, but turning the engine off and starting the car again cures it.....for a bit! Then it drives fine.

My car has a superchip remap - why do these cause problems?

What is the 'electric plate' previously mentioned?

Should I consider having the gearbox and engine management software reset to factory standard and installed with the newest software for my model?

If this doesnt cure it I then suppose we are into the realms of physical problems?

Stu

 

[BlackC55]

The electrical plate has s[eed sensors on it and these are the items that fail.

Have you had the atf changed? Is the level ok? Have you had the fault codes read?

The first port of call is to get it plugged in and the level checked.

The superchip will increase power and therefore put more load on the gearbox. Regular atf changes help prevent premature wear.

 

[STU300TD]

The electrical plate has s[eed sensors on it and these are the items that fail.

Have you had the atf changed? Is the level ok? Have you had the fault codes read?

The first port of call is to get it plugged in and the level checked.

The superchip will increase power and therefore put more load on the gearbox. Regular atf changes help prevent premature wear.

When it first started playing up I immediately booked it in for a service. New filter, seals, replacement ATF fluid and electric interface plug (cant remember the proper name) all done by an independent Mercedes specialist.

The fault codes did say the box had been slipping - I think I remember that correctly. The service seemed to cure it.......for about 24 hours.

I may consider having the gearbox and engine software replaced back to Mercedes spec and upgraded to whatever is the most up to date they offer for my W210.

I know I may lose the chip but right now its more important that the car works properly.

Maybe this might cure it?

Hopefully there has been no physical damage to the box because of the chip and the suspected lack of gearbox services over the past few years?

The specialist drove my car and said its noticeably quicker and more powerful than a standard E300 - would be a shame to lose that

Stu

 

[BlackC55]

The software on your gearbox can't be updated.

Get the codes read again. Slpiing codes mean a worn box generally.

 

[STU300TD]

The software on your gearbox can't be updated.

Get the codes read again. Slpiing codes mean a worn box generally.

Worn box - sounds a problem to me. I understand these boxes are very expensive to replace and difficult to repair?

Stu

 

[BlackC55]

Not at all. They are not difficult to repair. £1500 for a full re-furb is about he norm.

 

[Nickk]

I've just had my plate replaced during a gearbox service, it cost about £550 incl vat and the service. I had it looked at cos it was a bit slow to change up. They found oil on the plug and diagnosed it as the plate. It has sorted the problem.