Autobox sticking in 2nd and vibrating

[tikw2124]

Hi, car going into indie tonight, symptom is - when accelerating briskly from low speed, box stays in 2nd and won't change up. Have to stop, swich engine off for 10 seconds, restart, all fine, no faults on ASSYST. Also, there is a slight vibration whilst accelerating lightly and changes are a bit harsh. Thought it was the dreaded 'Glycol' problem but i believe my car (WDC 2030162*049***) is not in the range of the 'SB' criteria i've seen on her, or have i read it wrong?

Any way, all tech advice contributions gratefully accepted.

Many thanks

 

[franey]

May I suggest before you do anything or even start worrying about possible causes that you change the auto gearbox oil and filter?

I had the same problem, new oil cured it!!
Hope this elps

 

[Dieselman]

I'd get the codes read before doing anything.

 

[tikw2124]

May I suggest before you do anything or even start worrying about possible causes that you change the auto gearbox oil and filter?

I had the same problem, new oil cured it!!
Hope this elps

Hi Franey, had oil & filter replaced approx 35k mls ago when this problem previously arose and the indie replaced the valve block (think that's what is is called), so i dimissed that theory (wronlgy or rightly?) and decided to have indie read codes. Still waiting for the call, hope it's not too expensive!

 

[tikw2124]

Update - Indie says no faults recorded when STAR plugged in, took it for test drive unable to reproduce symptoms. Checked oil, no indication of contamination, he confirmed oil and filter were replaced when switch plate was replaced 30k mls ago, radiator is a Valeo with a date stamp 2001. Oil has migrated to ECU but as plug enters ECU from underside on this model, ECU not contaminated. Going to try and reproduce symptom again today. Did mention something about one-way clutch? if faulty may not bring up faults. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Many thanks,

Indie says have heard of Glyco problem but have never had a case brought to them

 

[Dieselman]

When it does it go straight to the garage and get the codes read before switching off the engine.
Any fault causing the gearbox to go into limp home mode must be registering a fault.

The leaking plug won't be helping so get it sorted as well.

There are various one way clutches, the most noticable being in the torque converter.

 

[tikw2124]

When it does it go straight to the garage and get the codes read before switching off the engine.
Any fault causing the gearbox to go into limp home mode must be registering a fault.

The leaking plug won't be helping so get it sorted as well.

There are various one way clutches, the most noticable being in the torque converter.

Hi DM, understand what you say but, last couple of times it happened were outside of the garage's hours of business, so has been difficult to arrange. Hopefully, thye next time it happens it will be at the right time. You mentioned the clutch in the T/C if it turns out to be that would you advise a brand new MB one or would a recon do the job? Not planning on keeping car more than 18 months.Thanks for your input

 

[Dieselman]

I'm still surprised it's not logging a stored code for a fault that actually causes limp home mode. can the Indie read gearbox codes?

If it was the TC at fault I'd fit brand new unless a 2nd hand one known to be good could be sourced.

 

[BTB 500]

The gearbox fault on my R129 that caused it to (occasionally) go into limp-home mode was permanently stored. The indi I took it to was able to get the data up weeks later and sucessfully diagnose the problem (conductor plate).

 

[tikw2124]

I'm still surprised it's not logging a stored code for a fault that actually causes limp home mode. can the Indie read gearbox codes?

If it was the TC at fault I'd fit brand new unless a 2nd hand one known to be good could be sourced.

I am just repeating what indie said, but, i will pose this question to him when i collect car later. Thanks

 

[c240yaz]

Out of interest, how much does it cost to get the codes read, both at Mercedes and by an independent ?

 

[Ian B Walker]

Out of interest, how much does it cost to get the codes read, both at Mercedes and by an independent ?

At the dealers the cost would be in the region of £50 plus vat. At an Indie, then I would suggest about £30 - 35.

 

[tikw2124]

I am just repeating what indie said, but, i will pose this question to him when i collect car later. Thanks

Update - Collected car and work carried out was: Road test, read fault codes in ETC, ESP, ESM & CDI control units. Check live data. Check G/box oil level and oil for contamination by coolant, none found. No conclusions can be made from G/box analysis. Suspect internal fault. Indie gave me number for Auto G.box Technical Services.

The symptom did not reproduce its self this morning but i didn't realy try too hard

So, apart from contacting the Tech services guy, any one got any other ideas?

 

[BlackC55]

My first thoughts are a speed sensor problem within the gearbox but it normally logs a fault.

Are the changes harsh?

Is there any metal in the sump pan? Has it been checked?

 

[Matt_Bigwood]

Sounds horribly familiar to my ongoing W210 E280 gearbox problem.

Initially it occasionally juddered in reverse. This has become more frequent, and now there's a disconcerting thump when it changes either up or down from 2nd to 3rd gear.

I've just driven 100 miles up the M5 and now it won't go into 5th gear... I've had the gearbox and torque convertor oil changed but to no avail.

Having spoken to the service manager at the MB dealership in Bath it looks like one (?) of the clutches in the box is knackered and that it's verging on being uneconomic to repair because of the prohibitive labour costs. Independent auto box specialists are also quoting around £2000 for a stripdown/rebuild.

It's a galling situation as the rest of the car is great (and with an LPG conversion)......

 

[bonithol]

Hi! My 01 C240 Avantgarde Auto does it too occassionally. After the car has been standing for a few days or when it's very cold. Goes into reverse with a thump. In drive sticks in 2nd. Now I know what to do (switch off and wait some seconds) it then works perfectly. It's done 60,000 and as the second owner I don't know whether the gearbox oil has been changed. It's due a service in 900 miles so I'll get it done. Having owned a Vauxhall Signum which suffered 4 gearbox failures in 4 years, the last out warranty I know how much they cost to fix. Is this a prelude to something horribly expensive?

 

[tikw2124]

There is no problem when selecting reverse or any other gear. Current mileage is 158k, most of the time it behaves fine, just occasionally when i accelerate briskly and it changes down (kickdown not selected) to 2nd that's when it sticks in that gear but, if i my speed is above 50 and i floor it (Kickdown selected) everything is fine. Confusing!