C220 CDi Auto probs

[Neilupandown]

Hello all Im very new here but I hope you can help me out.
I have noticed now on two occasions that my "51" reg. C220 Auto suddenly "drops out" of gear. I seems as you drive uphill or round a left hand bend it just drops into neutral, by pushing the gear lever forward into neutral for a few seconds and then back into drive it re-engages and continues as normal.
My local M.B. dealer says he's never heard of this and cant see a problem on the diognostic computer, but as its now got over 80k miles its out of all warranty etc. he can drop the box and check it out for me. Sounds very expensive !! ££££££

Has anyone else had this problem and how can it be cured !!!
Thanks in advance
N

 

[Flash]

I'm afraid that I do not know the cause but Stealers are able to actually diagnsoe faults and a friend that I know who is Technciian at a Stealership has told me in the past that they are able to carry out specific tests on the actual car/gera box itself to diagnsioe the exact cause (even if Star cannot detect a fault...) BUT standard labour rates of £80 per hours will apply...

 

[Stratman]

I can't believe it's this simple, but it sounds just like my old Daimler V8 when the auto box had low fluid........

 

[Flash]

I can't believe it's this simple, but it sounds just like my old Daimler V8 when the auto box had low fluid........

Stearlers claim that the gear box is a sealed unit and oil does does not need toppign up for the duration of the lif eof the car and often contradict themselves... I would have tought that Star would have indicated/suggested to Techncian to check the fluid level...

 

[concordepilot19]

What can you believe ? Why is there a dipstick on my TIP autobox (needs a special part to use though) ? Mine leaked ATF when the electrical bung perished and slipped out of gear at a junction...scary.

 

[Dieselman]

What can you believe ? Why is there a dipstick on my TIP autobox (needs a special part to use though) ?

Is there, are you sure?

 

[tamrsoft]

If it's the 722.6 auto box then there is provision to check oil level with MB dipstick tool (P/N 140 589 15 21 00). Also, don't believe the 'Sealed for Life' cr*p statement, they do appreciate a regular ATF service if you want the tranny to last a reasonable lifetime.

 

[nickmann]

I agree with Stratman - I reckon that could be low fluid in the gearbox.

 

[Neilupandown]

Low fluid !!

Many thanks for the info. !! :bannana: now i need a good "indie" to sort this out. What is it about the main "stealers" that make them so pompous and snobby ??

Any recomendations in the N.W. - Blackburn - Preston

Once again many thanks
N

 

[tonks]

Neilupandown,

I have encountered this exact problem going around a left hand bend in my C220 auto - only happened to me once so far. MB checked the ATF level and have said it's fine and have now fed me a story that ATF should be changed on first service!?

Please post if you find out what the problem is.

 

[Neilupandown]

Oh no STILL Dropping out

Anyway up to now I have had the Auto box serviced which is a fluid drain, flush and replace seals and refill with genuine MB fluid ( all at a cost of £170 )
and guess what ???

It still drops out of gear !!

On the plus side it seems to drive better and is giving over 42mpg now having dropped to 38ish before.
Maybe with the money i save on diesel i could save up for a new gearbox ??
Anybody got any more sugestions ???!!!!???

 

[tonks]

This isn't too promising. Mine is going in for a fluid change too after MB recommendation although they had no idea why a fluid change was causing the gear dropping - sounds like it won't solve the problem based on your experience.

 

[KLee]

Neilupandown,

I have encountered this exact problem going around a left hand bend in my C220 auto - only happened to me once so far. MB checked the ATF level and have said it's fine and have now fed me a story that ATF should be changed on first service!?

Please post if you find out what the problem is.

tonks, what year is your C220?

 

[tonks]

Year 2002

 

[scousetechie]

On the plus side it seems to drive better and is giving over 42mpg now having dropped to 38ish before.
Maybe with the money i save on diesel i could save up for a new gearbox ??
Anybody got any more sugestions ???!!!!???

I'm not surprised you are getting better MPG....You're freewheeling most of your journey!

On a more serious note, I have found a complete reluctance of MB service staff to actually drive the bloody car! It always seems to me that when you report a fault Little Britain kicks in...... "Computer says no"

 

[Neilupandown]

:bannana: Well I think my man has found the problem !!
The Speed sensor in the gearbox ? approx £ 110 plus 3-4 hours I will report back next week when the jobs been done.
Has anyone else heard of this ??

 

[silverarrow]

yep thats why i bought a lexus
poor build quality and bad advice from stealerships
how can mbz get the build quality so wrong for so long
you can get them recon and also new fluid will be needed
also keep some of the old fluid and place in a clear beaker and stick a magnet next to it any bearing break down will show up
if metal particles are present then change fluid again with a power flush and expect a new box soon
sealed for life ummm umm umm

 

[Neilupandown]

Help help Help

Well nearly £400 down and it still drops out !!!
Help is required !!
Back to the garage on tuesday !!

 

[tonks]

Sorry to hear that this still isn't resolved for you yet. I was really hoping that you've found a solution to this seemingly uncommon problem. I can't believe that a solution to this isn't already established as clearly it is not totally unheard with us both suffering from the same problem. My problem is excacerbated by my dealer who takes the car in, doesn't solve the problem but provides a bill and suggests a solution and then takes at least 5 weeks for a slot to book it in again - frustrating to say the least.

 

[rozel]

Well I too have experienced this same problem, 3 times on Saturday - I started a new thread yesterday but tonks suggested I read this.

Maybe Admin could merge them?

Tonks, in answer to your question, my car is a low miler - current mileage appx 24,000. It's my "Sunday Car".

I hope there is an answer to this problem soon.

Paul