Jerky Gear Change

[W L Ow]

I drive a 1997 C200 202A. It has a electronic 5 speed auto gear box and has done about 120,000 km. Lately during gear change, the gear seems to be at neutral for a split second before the next gear is engaged. This causes the car to free wheels and then jerk forward. the jerks are more violent at higher engine speeds such as climbing slope or accelerating hard.

I have tried disconnecting the battery to reset the ECU overnight without any improvement.

Any advice?

 

[recycled]

exactly what was happening to my 1996 c 180 auto, especially when cold or from R - D

 

[eurico]

Try changing the ATF and filter. It did wonders to my box which had the original fluid till now - 91k km.

 

[television]

As eurico, thats is the first thing to do.

 

[Rose Chap]

I might have this problem. Its a bugger. Before we go too far here is a thread that's running on another forum that is similar. Does it sound like the same issue as you're experiencing W L Ow?

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=90494

 

[W L Ow]

Thank you Rose Chap. Looks like jerky gear change is a common feature of Merc. I will settle for a ATF and filter change and perhaps reset the system for the time being.

 

[Dieselman]

I would say that generally MB boxes are very smooth.
Go for fluid change followed by MAF followed by gearbox valve chest.

 

[MBManInKen]

Looks like jerky gear change is a common feature of Merc.

Not in any of the ones I have owned and driven. The Merc boxes should be very smooth. If not, you have a problem that needs to be addressed...

 

[Rose Chap]

I specifically asked Tony Purslow when they had my car for investigation if the MAF was showing errors and they said no. Whilst I don't mind things wearing out and being replaced, I don't want to replace first the MAF, then gearbox value wotsit just as a way to eliminate problems and potentially still not fix the occasionally annoying gearbox.

I have to be realistic about the car's value. I may just keep it for another few months and then trade it in against something else.

 

[television]

More people complain in the winter months on the cars where the box holds onto the lower gears to warm up the CAT, most complaints seem to be around 98-2000 as I recall, but in general the they are good

 

[W L Ow]

For the benefit of those having the same gear box problem, changing the ATF did not work in my case. Resetting the ECU also did not help. finally, the workshop changed a what they told me a speed sensor inside the gear box. The electronic part costs equivalent of about 100 pounds. The gear change was smooth as silk after the replacement and topping up of ATF.