5 speed auto on 210 96 E230

[C240Sport97]

My runaround which has 169k miles on the clock works pretty well overall.

However, in town traffic, it is virtually impossible to come to a smooth stop. It doesn't matter how gently I brake, and how slowly I stop.

It almost always "shunts". It feels like the car is changing from 3rd to 2nd and then 1st, or 2nd to 1st when the car is almost stationary. It then jerks/shunts just before the car stops, bit like a gentle nudge from someone parking behind you.

When accelerating hard from standstill (this does not happen if I drive gently), it changes gear quite abruptly (I think this is 2nd to 3rd). Weirder still, as it changes, the revs goes up (for about half a sec) and then drops quite suddenly(I think this is because the gearbox goes into neutral, and then selects the next gear).

I don't hear any whining noise or other rattles or sounds from the gearbox.

Apart from the low speed changes, everything else is fine. In fact it cruises really smoothly, and is a great motorway car.

Having had many Merc autos, I am sure that this is not usual.

When I bought the car, I had the ATF and filters changed.

I am thinking one or more the following possibilities:

a) gearbox (as in the mechanical round bits with the metal teeth) is knackered .. oops

b) the thing that changes the gears (is this the solenoids?) is knackered

c) it needs to be reprogrammed

d) the ECU is knackered

Any ideas anyone?

Thanks mucho.

 

[BlackC55]

I suspect its worn.

Get the ATF level checked first the the fault code read.

Then get the 'box sump pan down and inspect for metal.....

 

[C240Sport97]

do you mean the round bits with the teeth are worn?

I suspect its worn.

Get the ATF level checked first the the fault code read.

Then get the 'box sump pan down and inspect for metal.....

 

[BlackC55]

All of it probably.

Wear of the clutch packs is probably causing the harsh changes.

Has it had only 1 atf change on 160+miles?

 

[C240Sport97]

not sure .. only got the car a month ago, and it has no s/h

are clutch packs expensive to buy and fit?

All of it probably.

Wear of the clutch packs is probably causing the harsh changes.

Has it had only 1 atf change on 160+miles?

 

[alibally]

If its a 722.6 series gearbox , harsh 2 to 1 downchanges or 1 to 2 upshifts couuld be a worn out or broken freewheel in the gearbox. Try putting it in the "w" setting on the gearshift and drive it as it pulls away in 2nd gear in that mode.