Auto Gearbox Fault

[striker600]

My Automatic gearbox has a intermittent fault which has happened 3 times so far. This problem first occured on 23/11/09. After a couple of miles drive i parked the car, left engine running for a couple of mins then resumed driving. I then noticed the gearbox was locked in 3rd gear. I tried to shift gears left & right with the gearstick but it wouldnt shift gears, Kickdown & The W & S mode switch wouldnt work either. The only way to get the gearbox working correctly again was to turn engine off, remove ignition key,& restart engine.

This same fault happend yesterday 5/12/09, again when the engine had been ideling a couple of mins, after a 5 mile drive. I then set off & again the car was stuck in 3rd gear so i coasted the 1/2 mile home, stopped engine, restarted engine and the gearbox would work ok.

Today after covering 5 miles, whilst driving at 40mph coasting down a hill with foot off accelerator, i noticed a thumping through the drivetrain and after that the car was stuck in 3rd gear & i couldnt manualy shift gears. I stopped the car, removed ignition key, restarted engine & continuied the 3 mile journey home with gearbox working ok.

Car has covered 99,300 miles, has a fsh. I Changed the auto fluid and filter at 89,000 miles in nov 2007. I used the genuine MB auto transmission fluid.
Anyone Know what the probblem is?
Should i get the codes read with star diagnostics at my local independant gararge?

 

[lynall]

I would read the codes first.

Were there any noises as mine did this but made a zizzing noise and it was the torque convertor breaking up and blocking the gearbox oil filter.



Lynall

 

[striker600]

Thankfully no noise, and gears change smoothly when its not locked in gear.
If i get time after work tomorrow im going to check the ATF fluid level. before i get it on star. I have not noticed any leaks though.
Hope its not going to be a expensive fix

Sorry about the triple posts.

 

[striker600]

Just checked the ATF fluid level with engine running (hot 80c). Oil leve is at MAX, so thats one thing eliminated.

I have read bits on threads relating to "Electro/Speed plate Faults".
Dose is look like i have this fault?
If yes, how much for the part, do you need star to fit, and how do you remove & refit? ie. dose gearbox need removing or just the sump pan to fit the electro speed plate?

 

[vijilants]

Just checked the ATF fluid level with engine running (hot 80c). Oil leve is at MAX, so thats one thing eliminated.

I have read bits on threads relating to "Electro/Speed plate Faults".
Dose is look like i have this fault?
If yes, how much for the part, do you need star to fit, and how do you remove & refit? ie. dose gearbox need removing or just the sump pan to fit the electro speed plate?

Sounds like it, but you must get the codes read. The sump has to be removed from the gearbox to replace it.

 

[striker600]

I have not had this fault today after two 22 mile drives.

If i get Fault codes read on star, dose the car need to have the fault at that time, or will the fault code Be stored even if gearbox is working ok?

 

[Stratman]

It stores the faults until they are cleared by the STAR

 

[striker600]

Will it go into limp home mode if i continue to drive, or will it stop working altogether?

I"ll post further after ive had it on star

 

[vijilants]

When I had similar problems, it was initially intermittent, but eventually the car went into limp mode after several weeks, and then the plate had to be replaced, once the car was properly diagnosed.

 

[Stratman]

Will it go into limp home mode if i continue to drive?

If you're lucky.

or will it stop working altogether?

Possibly. It depends what's wrong with it.

 

[Buggerlugs]

Definitely get the codes, you're blind without them.

 

[striker600]

Thanks to you all for you useful posts. Done two 22 miles drives (work & back) with smooth gear changes & no locking in gear.
Then did a 2 mile drive after car was stood for 1 hour, then low&behold approached a roundabout it shifted down into 2nd gear & was locked in 2nd gear!
A stop/start cleared it & no more probs for remainder of journey.

Going to contact my local inde who has star, to see if i can have it diagnosed fri afternoon or sat morning.
if its the electroplate, i may change it myself. Has anyone done this? Can you supply step by step instructions regarding this?
Also, How much is the electroplate part From the MB Dealers?

Andy

 

[daggyboy]

Auto gearbox prob - locked in 1st

Hi. My parents have prob as car locked in 1st gear.
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) from MB dealer star machine says that it is a speed sensor in thr box that's at fault. Talk of having to take out Gbox to fix it. Circa £1,500 !!! Will be haveing further convs with dealer in AM.
Out of warrantee - ouch!!

 

[OwenE280]

I have massive problems with the auto box on my E280, are there any good breakers to obtain a quality replacement.
Why are they quoting you £1500 mate thats awful

 

[jeremy 2516]

I have massive problems with the auto box on my E280, are there any good breakers to obtain a quality replacement.
Why are they quoting you £1500 mate thats awful

Thats ridiculous , try and find a breaker that will swap your box over .