Auto jumped out of gear

[tonks]

Paul,

Touch wood, this hasn't happened to me since. I was driving under similar conditions when it happened (warm engine, S, accelerating etc.) and have since had the ATF changed. Stealer recommended this although I got it done at an Indy. Stealer also said if it happens again, they would recommend removal of the valve assembly for closer examination, but didn't give any indication that they knew the likely or potential cause of the problem. The Indy, however, said he had come across this problem before and the small metal filings in the ATF due to general wear, can be enough to temporarily short circuit a sensor (or something) resulting in the loss of drive (don't quote me on that).

However, you will find a post by Neilupanddown on this board who has suffered the same problem even after an ATF change - his car is also year 2002.

I recommend a trip to the stealers but don't count on them knowing the cause and finding a solution. No harm in changing the ATF anyway. What is your mileage?

Good luck.

 

[rozel]

Well my car was taken to the stealership on 7th April.

It was booked in for a "B" service and I asked them to prioritise the diagnosis before embarking on the service, which they did. Apparently they found that the Gearbox Plug had been fitted incorrectly which in turn meant the Gearbox Oil had fallen significantly. They told me this causes the transmission to trip out. They refitted the said plug (which of course, given the age of my car, could only be the fault of the stealership or the one who they bought the car off for me), refilled the gearbox with oil and hey-presto and many fingers crossed, they have cured the problem.

The true test will come at the end of May when I take the car to the South of France for a European Holiday.

Paul

 

[Inabox]

First post so be gentle with me.

My better half has a W203 180K and recently I coughed up for a B service. I asked them to investigate an occasional surging and also the auto box sometimes being caught in the wrong gear and almost stalling the car.

They told me that 2002 cars had a technical bulletin for an oil seal on the auto box where the oil would leak out. On my wife's car, this was the issue even though it's a late 2003 car and that even worse,the oil leaked onto some type of ECU that manages the auto box. All changed under warranty and everything seems fine now.

BUT, while they did the service,they called to say it was due an ATF change. I said it wasn't listed as a part of the service schedule in the service manual. They said it was a 'reccomended' item after the car had done 40,000 miles hence not being in the book. I asked was it reccomended or mandatory in order to maintain the warranty. I declined and said I wanted to think about it as they wanted another £200 on top of the £400 ish I'd just paid for the service and brake fluid change. They did not push the issue and have never mentioned it again so I can only assume it was the stealer trying it on.

Anyway, hope this info maybe of use.

 

[Dieselman]

Changing the oil every 50K or so is a good idea as no oil lasts forever in an auto box.

 

[Ryan S]

Well my car was taken to the stealership on 7th April.

It was booked in for a "B" service and I asked them to prioritise the diagnosis before embarking on the service, which they did. Apparently they found that the Gearbox Plug had been fitted incorrectly which in turn meant the Gearbox Oil had fallen significantly. They told me this causes the transmission to trip out. They refitted the said plug (which of course, given the age of my car, could only be the fault of the stealership or the one who they bought the car off for me), refilled the gearbox with oil and hey-presto and many fingers crossed, they have cured the problem.

The true test will come at the end of May when I take the car to the South of France for a European Holiday.

Paul

This happened to me yesterday, I've booked my 2000 CLK 320 into the stealer next week to get it checked out.

Has this problem been confirmed as low ATF levels?

I have also had a problem of the auto box sticking in low gear and not changing up. I also lost the Triptrinic function at the same time.
Has anyone else came across this problem.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

[ade1964]

This has just happened to me also, did anyone really resolve the problem?

 

[BTB 500]

You need to get the fault codes read. I would personally combine this with a fluid change if the car has done 40k plus miles and still has the original ATF.

Go from there.

 

[KeyRing]

Same here

Yep, been having the same trouble with mine. Bought the car second hand in April. It's a W203 on a 51 plate. Purchased from an indepentant dealer. I noticed the auto box racing sometimes when changing gear but it only ever happened when gearbox / engine was at normal temperature (after 10 miles or so). Dealer took it in and got "specialst" auto company to look at it. They said it was a dodgy seal in the box and stripped it all down and replaced it - thank god for warranty! This involved changing the ATF presumably as they did a total gearbox strip down.

Anyway, it then seemed fine and did seem to race when changing. however, it has started doing it again and also jumping into neutral (cluster still says D) and lose tiptronic function. Have also had stick in 3rd. Pulling over and turning engine off and on always cures it but bloomin annoying.

Personally, as much as I would like it fixed, it seems to me that no one actually knows what the problem is so I'm reluctant to have it diagnosed further.

Has anyone contacted MB directly for advice (i.e. not through dealer)?

 

[eurico]

I had the very same situation as you KeyRing: racing between gearchanges and jumping out of gear on hard kick-downs. I was quite upset thinking I needed an autobox overhaul. Found out it was the MAF sensor fault. Cleaned it and it was like I had a new box right away. However, the sensor gets soiled after around 1000 km and it starts behaving again. Time for clean-up with Servisol isopropyl alcohol.

 

[phil c]

Having read the last thread I had thought of an idea. Forgive me for going off topic for a moment. So there is no drain plug in the torque convertor. Question. If you were to disconnect the gearbox cooler and drain the gearbox sump, then turn the engine over, would it drain the torque convertor? Would it cause any damage?

that is the correct way to drain and also flush an mb box , and merc have recently introduced an auto box oil and filter change at 40 000miles

 

[KeyRing]

Good old MAF again eh?

Hi Eurico,

thanks for the thought on the MAF. Doesn't really surprise me - seems to be the caue of many problems. I've just had car serviced (by an indy) and so far it's been good. I'll give the MAF a clean when I get chance and see how it goes.

Thanks again for the suggestion.