1999W210 E240 Estate auto - reverse gear has high revs and doesn't move far sometimes

[riccardo]

Difficult to describe. On flat ground, reverse is ok. Car moves back normally with creep at low revs.

Reversing up a slope, have to rev the engine up to 1500-2000rpm to get it to move at all - almost like a slipping clutch!

Anyone any ideas before I go to a specialist?

Sound serious, or something common/simple? Just bought car from dealer, so if serious, will be taking it back.

 

[riccardo]

I should add that all forward gears seem fine as far as I can tell. Gearchanges are smooth.

Given this, suspect it won't be as simple as just transmission fluid needing topped up? Or would it

 

[riccardo]

Anyone?

If you'd bought a car from a dealer (not MB) with this fault (ie 2 days ago), what are your rights to take it back? Technically, reverse isn't failing, it's just like it's not engaging very well (ie, slipping). Does this count as fair wear and tear, and therefore I don't have a leg to stand on? The car has done 106k and has a full FMBSH. It's the 5 speed auto.

They are going to have a look, but given they're not gearbox specialists, doubt they'll be able to do much in terms of fixing it.

 

[riccardo]

Quick question on reversing with 5 speed auto box

I have a (new to me) E240 Auto Estate (1999 - pre facelift).

I have a problem which I'm not sure is normal operation. Really need confirmation from a auto box owner!

If I reverse along a level/downhill ground, the reverse works as I expect, and creeps slowly, and I can control with the brake.

However, if I reverse up an incline, the car requires far more revs, and moves slower....and then if come off accelerator, it's almost as if it puts the box in some kind of "park" mode to hold it on the hill. On accelerator again, and it needs more revs (1000-1500) to get it reversing again.

Now, the manual does speak of 2 reverse ratios depending if in Std or Winter mode on the box ("will reverse with more accuracy in W mode" it says). But does this sound like W mode? Thinking maybe the switch is not doing what it should, and stuck in W mode, even when switch in S position???

Anyone? Sound normal, or a problem. I've never had anything like this on an auto box before, so thinking it's wrong.

 

[Shude]

My c230k is pretty much the same, I don't think there is anything to worry about.

If you change the position of the W/S switch while stationary, engine running and in D the revs should change slightly, try that to see if the button is broken.

 

[230K]

Hi

Try this for sorting your W/S switch
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6722&page=4

230k

 

[television]

I answered your other post

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=50475

 

[riccardo]

Thanks all.

Paranoid as just bought the car, and wondered if reverse was broken. Will try the rolling back test.

Can anyone explain why it does this in reverse, and why it's not described in the manual as regards "holding" the car in W mode?

Wife doesn't like it, as means she's reversing up the drive, with revs quite high, and controlling the car is far harder than it should be.

 

[riccardo]

Shude : Does you car only do this in W mode, or does it do it in S mode as well when reversing?

 

[television]

Reading your post again, my car does require loads of revs to get up my drive in W.

Yes it is not in the book about rolling back in W

Do the test and you will know,, you will love the car when you get used to it, they are very nice

 

[Shude]

Shude : Does you car only do this in W mode, or does it do it in S mode as well when reversing?

I rarely use W mode but your description sounds pretty much like every other modern, automatic MB I've ever been in. Your car likely has the same model gearbox as mine too.

 

[television]

I rarely use W mode but your description sounds pretty much like every other modern, automatic MB I've ever been in. Your car likely has the same model gearbox as mine too.

virtually the same, yours is the 722.605 and the 240 is the 722.695

 

[Satch]

Do you have the box in "W" (or "C") mode?

That starts the transmission in 2 to reduce risk of wheelspin on snow etc but also limits the reverse drive for the same reason

 

[riccardo]

Well, looks like you guys have hit the nail on the head

Took her out. Stopped on a steep hill in D, and sure enough, it didn't roll back - it went into a kind of "park". This happened with the switch set to both S & W.

Could detect no change in revs or no drivetrain change when moving the switch.

Whole thing was confirmed with also setting the box to first. Takeoff was rapid compared to what it is doing in "D". Wife has said she feels takeoff was rubbish compared to old Merc. Sounds like this is why.

Thanks guys. Appreciated. I will now sleep easier - fingers crossed this will fix it.

 

[riccardo]

Seems have worked out - faulty S/W switch which is permanently in W.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=50478

<phew>!!!

 

[riccardo]

OK. Just to update the thread, had the switch sorted today, and as expected, all is well again. Gearbox was plugged into diagnostics and showed no codes, and oil level checked, and all was fine.

Thanks to all for the diagnosis.

The gearbox guy did mention though that the underside of the gearbox was a bit damp, but didn't seem concerned. He also commented there was silver grease found in the bellhousing area, but he couldn't work out why someone would do that. So don't know if that's good or bad. Anyone?

 

[Shude]

Thanks for letting us know, I'm not sure about your comments but I do have one question:

How much faster is your car now you've got S?

 

[riccardo]

Yes, I've only been around the block in it to replicate the tests done last night (wife's car). So not been up to any high speed, but certainly starts in 1st gear now and gives a bit more of a kick

 

[television]

Thanks for posting back so enjoy the S mode

Maybe an engineer had greasy fingers when servicing