Lost all gears when accelerating hard up hill

[Deane x]

Hi I have bought a s class 500 L w220 as had to sell slk because my babe has arrived, the car has been fine apart from it seems to lump it to gear when I put it in drive , not really bad but a little bit , but then yesterday I was driving quite hard testing her out and I accelerated hard up a hill from stand still , got to top of hill and lost all gears , managed to coast her back home as live at top of the hill , still could not get any gears so turn off engine and restarted and all gears seem to work well at least 1st and reverse as not been out in her since because I was worried about breaking down with my babe girl in the car , I have looked the problem up but it's a bit of a mine field with conflicting information hope you guys can help thanks in advance

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Get the ATF level checked and ideally get it plugged into a STAR machine - (Mercedes diagnostic).

Do you have a good Merc Indie nearby?

 

[Deane x]

Get the ATF level checked and ideally get it plugged into a STAR machine - (Mercedes diagnostic).

Do you have a good Merc Indie nearby?

Thanks for quick reply , i have a friend that works at ford who does all the work on my cars I mite get him to do a oil and filter change on the gearbox , I do have a Mercedes garage nearby but try not to use them if I can as there so so pricey wanted £250 to replace spark plugs in my slk I had ...did them my self in the end for about £30 ..will the diagnostic at ford not work with Mercedes ? Thanks for your help

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Some generic readers will work with Mercs to clear stored fault codes and some will give basic fault readings, but won't read live data. Is your friend savvy with the MB fault codes as understanding and interpreting them is the crucial bit.

When you say you have a Mercedes garage nearby is it a Main Dealer or a small Independent Garage who specialise in Mercs? The indie being a lot cheaper than the dealers.

 

[Bert_W164]

Do it yourself.

Or take it to an indie.

Flush the box, add in new filter and oil. Should do the trick unless your electrical plate is damaged or you have a mechanical issue.

Garage must have Star to clear codes.

 

[jamesn]

The W220 gearboxes can leak fluid from the coding plug. Had it happen on mine while ago.
I never lost drive, but it was clunky on the gear changes until it was warmed up.

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks for quick reply , i have a friend that works at ford who does all the work on my cars I mite get him to do a oil and filter change on the gearbox , I do have a Mercedes garage nearby but try not to use them if I can as there so so pricey wanted £250 to replace spark plugs in my slk I had ...did them my self in the end for about £30 ..will the diagnostic at ford not work with Mercedes ? Thanks for your help

I am not doubting your friends skills as a mechanic but working on a very different car is not always straightforward. Just draining the gearbox sump will not drain the torque convertor.

Here is the "How to" :http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/howto/115863-how-change-automatic-gerbox-oil-flush-722-6-box.html

Note the risk of stripping threads etc, also it is best to check the level when the gearbox is at 80 degrees C and Star is useful for this, also, you may not have a gearbox dipstick, most did not have them fitted.

If it has been leaking then changing the electrical connector (know as a pilot bush) is wise, they are only around £20 and if you are entrusting it to someone other than an MB specialist then ensure the correct MB specification ATF is used.

 

[ShinyF1]

I recently lost all drive on my W210 Eclass [722.x 5 speed box]. Required a gearbox rebuild. Resetting codes on star got drive back again, but for no more than a mile.

 

[Deane x]

I recently lost all drive on my W210 Eclass [722.x 5 speed box]. Required a gearbox rebuild. Resetting codes on star got drive back again, but for no more than a mile.

I do hope mine doesn't need rebuild though I have read Mercedes like to rebuild gearboxs went they don't even need it. Another reason I am not to fond of main dealer

 

[Deane x]

I am not doubting your friends skills as a mechanic but working on a very different car is not always straightforward. Just draining the gearbox sump will not drain the torque convertor.

Here is the "How to" :http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/howto/115863-how-change-automatic-gerbox-oil-flush-722-6-box.html

Note the risk of stripping threads etc, also it is best to check the level when the gearbox is at 80 degrees C and Star is useful for this, also, you may not have a gearbox dipstick, most did not have them fitted.

If it has been leaking then changing the electrical connector (know as a pilot bush) is wise, they are only around £20 and if you are entrusting it to someone other than an MB specialist then ensure the correct MB specification ATF is used.

thanks for all the help every one , I am going to order all the parts for the oil and filter change I have found the pilot bush ,can any one tell me what other parts I will need and what oil thanks

 

[Giantvanman]

The W220 gearboxes can leak fluid from the coding plug. Had it happen on mine while ago.
I never lost drive, but it was clunky on the gear changes until it was warmed up.

Welcome to the forum, JamesN. I see you joined in 2009 and this is Post#1???

 

[Deane x]

The W220 gearboxes can leak fluid from the coding plug. Had it happen on mine while ago.
I never lost drive, but it was clunky on the gear changes until it was warmed up.

is the coding plug the same as the pilot bush ????

 

[DSM10000]

is the coding plug the same as the pilot bush ????

I have never heard the term "coding plug" used, my indie called a pilot bush , as far as I know there is only one electrical connector into the gearbox.

 

[DSM10000]

thanks for all the help every one , I am going to order all the parts for the oil and filter change I have found the pilot bush ,can any one tell me what other parts I will need and what oil thanks

The "how to" should list all the parts for the gearbox service, search on the forum for the oil type, I am sure it has been mentioned.

I believe Fuchs make an MB compatible ATF for your gearbox, you will need 8 litres.

 

[jamesn]

Welcome to the forum, JamesN. I see you joined in 2009 and this is Post#1???

Yup long time lurker, first time poster

 

[jamesn]

is the coding plug the same as the pilot bush ????

No idea, that was just it was called on the invoice I was given, seems to be a well known issue on the American forums as well.

 

[BlackC55]

An oil and filter will help but only temporary.

If the level is good now I'm afraid the only course of action is to remove the gearbox, strip it and find the cause of fault. I expect it to be a lack of pressure issue.

 

[Deane x]

An oil and filter will help but only temporary.

If the level is good now I'm afraid the only course of action is to remove the gearbox, strip it and find the cause of fault. I expect it to be a lack of pressure issue.

Really do you think I bet that cost a fortune ? I hope not money is a bit tight as mo with new baby and wife on maternity ....I have found a gearbox for £299 would it be cheaper just changing the gearbox ??

 

[Deane x]

I have found a Mercedes specialist ( Cowdray car centre Colchester ) that is near me , I phoned them today and they said they would plug her in and find the problem , they don't have a star but they use the same diagnostics machine as Mercedes . They did tell me what the machine was but I was so nervous about how much this is going to cost I forgot , I will ask when she goes in ....my fingers are crossed

 

[zenman63]

I have found a Mercedes specialist ( Cowdray car centre Colchester ) that is near me , I phoned them today and they said they would plug her in and find the problem , they don't have a star but they use the same diagnostics machine as Mercedes . They did tell me what the machine was but I was so nervous about how much this is going to cost I forgot , I will ask when she goes in ....my fingers are crossed

That would be Star then.

If I floored my Viano it would sometimes vibrate badly when cold, it was low on fluid and 500ml fixed it.