Gearbox weirdness - 1998 E240 Avantgarde

[jamie280e]

Evening All!

I bought a 1998 E240 Avantgarde Auto Today and all is great apart from one thing.

Gearchanges are smooth BUT I noticed something odd earlier on the motorway going up a big hill.

Used 'kickdown' to give me some more power up the hill and naturally started accelarating up the hill BUT once I got to the maximum revs (on the point of thrashing and with my foot on the floor) the auto box just stayed there and doesnt change to the next gear.

This is hard to explain but basically it sits thrashing in third or fourth and doesnt change to fifth. It SHOULD do.

Tried it on a level and exactly the same - If I boot it it changes down but then when it gets to max revs it doesnt change back - Just screams revs at me!

Its only when I ease off that it relaxes.

Ive owned about 10 AUto mercs and this aint right.....

Any ideas ? Would sure be grateful.

Maybe a gearbox oil change ?

ALso car only done 78k and sounds a bit tappety!

Im hiding my wallet!

Jamie

 

[kwakdonut]

The minimum to do first would be to check the ATF level accurately. Yes, it would probably benefit from a change!

Tappety? Last oil change done when? Make sure its the correct grade and type of oil.

 

[BlackC55]

Get it on a Star firstly. You may fine it is an engine issue rather than a gearbox one. Such as the air mass sensor or MAF

 

[jamie280e]

OK - Thanks for that people
Unfortunatly it just got worse - I had a long journey in it and after coming off of the motorway (a 200 odd mile journey) car seems to have lost the ability to change gear.
On the slower roads it seems to have selected 2nd gear and wont change up or down. Initially I had no reverse either but after 'turning off and on again' it has reverse and just the one gear.
Local specialist is IN AUTOS and they suggest it could hopefully be fluid levels.
Any ideas ?
Theres no warning lights on the dash at all ?
Im very worried as I dont have any money - Only bought it the other day as a private sale ! EEK!

 

[jamie280e]

And how can I check the fluid level (cant see a dipstick)

 

[jamie280e]

Is the Merc specialist likely to have STAR ? (Im assuming its a fault code system?)
Would I be better forking out for Mercedes ? If you were nearer would probably get it in to you but at 20 miles an hour not practicle.

 

[grober]

You can buy an auto-transmission dipstick/level tool to check the fluid on eBAY and I believe SEALEY do one too.

Sealey

Sealey

 

[kwakdonut]

Where in Sussex are you? Is Horndean a relatively easy journey for you? Olly (BlackC55) is an MB Indie based there and would be very happy to help, I'm sure

 

[jamie280e]

Hi Mate,

Its probably a bit too far as Im not sure how bad the gearbox issue could be.

Have just booked it into Mercedes Benz Specialist - Servicing & Repairs in Surrey | In Autos

They seemed really helpful on the phone and have 25% off labour in December

Just looked under the car and their is a bit of oil - Hoping its just levels.

Will also get them to check on the Star

Jamie

 

[jamie280e]

OK - Took my car in to In-Autos Today who have hooked up to Star and told me that the 'gearbox plate' (apparantly a printed circuit board) that helps deal with telling the car when to shift has gone. Part is about £150+gearbox oil+fitting+VAT.
Im told the total is likely to be £500.
Does that sound reasonable - Does anyone else know what they mean ?

Thanks

Jamie

 

[Boeiing]

hello jamie did you manage to sort the car out?any update?
thnx
andy