W210 E280 1998 Auto box questions

[tanker12uk]

Hi Guys and ladies
I have a 1998 W210 E280 which now has 94.000 on the clock I seem to be developing a problem with the auto box. Kick down is unreliable and when it does it holds in gear and wont change up I have to lift off the pedal wait for the lurch and then push again. It will hold the gear until the rev limiter cuts in [I do not do this often but I had to find out if it would change up] apart from this fault the car is a dream in normal use or gentle pressure change ups a ok and under firm pressure it will change at about 3k but go for a kick down get me out of here and I'm in trouble
I have checked auto box fluid level and its fine I suspect that I need auto fluid changed but MB dealer wants both my arms legs and my first born to do it.
is this a dealer or indi only option or is it within the realms of a comp local mech
I thank any one for reading my begging letter and wont hold anyone liable
also if a indie mech would be best anyone know one in South London Kent area

 

[BlackC55]

This could me an issue with the air mass sensor.

 

[flango]

^+1 Air Mass sensors do cause some funny issues on auto boxes, best to get it plugged into Star or a decent diagnostic machine and see what codes are there. For an ATF and filter change normally from a good independent it will be around £175 - £200 and they won't want your first born either

 

[tonyc280]

I think it's the 722.6 box fitted to your car. I recently did a filter and fluid change and was quite simple apart from two of the sump bolts broke off but simple to drill out. Since my filter and fluid changed my box performs perfectly.

 

[horatio]

Theres a great how to guide on this website somewhere for the ATF change. I paid to have mine done though as you've got to have very clean conditions to do this job, the smallest bit of crud in the box and... not good.

 

[flango]

Theres a great how to guide on this website somewhere for the ATF change. I paid to have mine done though as you've got to have very clean conditions to do this job, the smallest bit of crud in the box and... not good.

I agree and unless you do the torque converter as well then there's little point in doing it, not a DIY job IMHO best suited to a workshop environment kept sterile for such a job.

 

[tanker12uk]

Many thanks

Thanks Guys for the hints pity about the indies not wanting the first born. I will do some research and see what fault codes the car throws up for me
and report back when I find out more

 

[Steve_Perry]

+1 again to the guys that said this could be a MAS (Air Mass Sensor) issue. This will cause all sorts of strange symptoms that on first glance would point to a failing auto gearbox. Trust me, I know from experience...

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/2507-ecu-glitched-your-thoughts-please.html
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/21731-mas-going-again.html
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/howto/25426-howto-mas-replacement-m112-v6-engine.html

Once you have totally given the MAS a clean bill of health, then trouble shoot the gearbox if the symptoms persist.

S.

 

[Dieselman]

not a DIY job IMHO best suited to a workshop environment kept sterile for such a job.

Do you really mean sterile? Spanners straight from the autoclave, mechanics in scrubs?

Any reasonable environment will do for an ATF change, who knows what dirt may be in the new ATF from the filling vessel, it's what the filter is for.

 

[tanker12uk]

Thanks to all its sorted

Hi Guys

I just wished to thank all those who replied the fault was the MAS sourced the part via flea bay £24 two min job to change the part
results all previous faults cleared prior to getting the part the car had got worse and would not pull in any gears and was really juddering and snatching on change up and baulking on the down change I thought it was a dead duck
now wicked pulls like a train up shift is smooth as silk as is the down and the kick down is perfect all I have to do is remember it works and I will keep my licence a bit longer again many thanks to all

 

[flango]

Do you really mean sterile? Spanners straight from the autoclave, mechanics in scrubs?

Any reasonable environment will do for an ATF change, who knows what dirt may be in the new ATF from the filling vessel, it's what the filter is for.

Yep I mean sterile for rebuilds but a very clean environment for ATF change