W210 E230 Auto Problem.

[Andyni]

W210 E320 Auto Problem.

I have started having problems with my 1997 W210 E320. The car is great most of the time but twice now the car has gone into Limp Mode shortly after a 30 mile stretch motorway. I will pull off the motorway onto a dual carriageway only to find that the car is stuck in second gear about a mile up the road .
The twice it has happened have been just on the approach to a busy roundabout. If I can turn the engine off and back on the car finishes my journey with no problems. Can anyone advise as to the cause?

As I have said the car runs fine most of the time short or long journeys! no problem.

 

[Dieselman]

You really need to have the error codes read as this could be a multitude of things; MAF, gearbox, throttle position sensor, MAP sensor, etc.

 

[Andyni]

Many thanks I have arranged for the codes to be read today. Thanks again.

 

[Andyni]

Still no joy! Unfortunately I only had error codes read today. No error codes! But the battery failed to start the car after the reading was done. It has been suggested that a bad battery could be responsible for the engine problems, has anyone come across this problem? The car did the same thing yesterday but I think I may be wrong with regards to limp mode the car changes through the gears to third gear. The speedo sits at around 60 MPH and will rev to the redline with no lift or minimal change in speed but will change through third, second and first by selecting them!

 

[Birdman]

Sounds like an electro-nervous breakdown! That's to say, the brainbox rather than the mechanicals. I had that same 1997 model so wd be interested to know how it turns out.

Btw what's the mileage on it? (Mine was fine at 91K)

 

[Andyni]

The current mileage is 143K

 

[850t5]

Just a thought, but have you checked the gearbox ecu for oil ingress? The seals on the plug that goes into the gearbox itself fail and allow oil to be forced up the inside of the wires. This eventually reaches the ecu and fills it up with oil and can cause all sorts of weird and wonderful faults.

 

[Andyni]

Thanks will get that checked tomorrow.

 

[Birdman]

You know that it's advisable to replace the transmission fluid every 60+K miles (not later than 100K) despite MB's claim that the autobox is sealed for life. I'll be willing to bet (a fiver!) that your transmission fluid has had its day, (unless you can be certain it's been changed) and maybe a few other items in there too. Perhaps a specialist (German, not black cab) auto box repairer could advise as I think MB can be pretty vague about these expensive things. They don't expect their boxes to last high miles, 'tho they can go far on motorways (except there aren't any in NI ).