2005 W203 C220 CDI Auto Gearbox problem

[nikolaymk]

Hi,

I need some help with a gearbox issue on my C220 CDI Auto. Whenever I try the kickdown the car goes into "limp home" mode. It does it ONLY if kickdown is attempted OR if I press the throttle quite hard. The diagnostics (not Star!) show various codes to do with implausible or impermissable y or s sensor values (?) and also:

P2500 - Impermissable transmission ratio
2228-1 - Transmission control ETC fault 11
P2561

I don't know if it matters but I also have an ESP fault on the car to do with the steering angle sensor. Not sure if that affects the operation of the auto box. Any advice appreciated.

 

[billyc180k]

Did both these faults develop at the same time ?

 

[nikolaymk]

Hi, not sure as we have only just acquired the vehicle.

 

[nikolaymk]

OK, there is a bit of development on this one:
We checked the gearbox oil level and found it to be quite low. It actually needed 2litres of the special MB hydraulic fluid to bring it to the full mark. After doing this ALL of the above symptoms disappeared including the ESP unavailable message. The car drives fine now.

Is it possible that the systems having detected low oil in the gearbox disable the ESP and don't allow kickdown?

 

[billyc180k]

I would have thought so i had a s class that would not engage any gears and after transmission top up was fine. hope it stays ok

 

[Rory]

I'd be wondering where 2L of fluid had gone (assuming you followed the correct procedure for checking it). They don't hold all that much, so 2L is quite a lot.

 

[nikolaymk]

Yes, our mechanic has the Mercedes dipstick tool which is quite foolproof. The gearbox holds around 6.5 litres of fluid.