320 cdi AUTO GEARBOX FAILURE

[PAUL GARDNER]

A Jan 2003 320cdi Avengarde Estate Automatic [128000 miles] which was new to me and intermittently got stuck in gear - not sure if it was the emergency running mode and therefore an associated electrical or other fault having first happened when using cruise control - Main Dearler not able to diagnose problem but released it out of locked gear - Next time having lost confidence in the main dealer I took it to another diagnostic centre who suggested it was the revs sensor in the gearbox and confirmed a machanical problem [not electrical fault]- Off to a Merc approved gearbox centre where the diagnosis was confirmed and immediately noted as a known problem with this model gearbox whereby a shaft bearing wears and allow the sensor ring to mis align with the sensor pick-up head usually when hot - thus the intermittent nature of the fault - This centre claims to have repaired over 200 Merc grarboxes with same problem - it was allievated on later models apparently - Of course Mercedes will not acknowledge the problem and therfore will not contribute to the repairs - the gearbox rebuild was £1600 + VAT - My issue is that if this was a known problem why was the vehicle not subject to recall whilst in warranty or certainly within its first 3 years - Any others with a similiar story - Paul

 

[Ian B Walker]

I have just repaired a 320 CDI (2001) with a blown box. The box cost £1499.87 plus vat from Mercedes (cheaper than your rebuild). My customer bought a second hand box first and when I had finished fitting it, put everything back together, found that it would not change gear. I had previously suggested to said customer that a box from the main dealer would be a better way to go as we would have a guarantee. So £750 for a bad box plus fitting, £1800 (ish) for a good box plus fitting equates to a VERY expensive repair.

The original box had particles of metal in the pan and the oil pump was not performing. The second hand box threw solenoid pack error codes and was deemed u/s. The car is currently parked in my place with yet another code (P1470) which will be the turbo transducer. I will be glad to see the back of this car. People ask why I like the more mature Mercs, I think this answers those questions.

 

[PAUL GARDNER]

More gearbox tales of woe please

Expensive repair items these gearboxes - I would like to hear from those with similar problems and whether Merc dealerships diagnosed and sorted them - At least it makes my £1600 + VAT through an approved gearbox indie looks reasonable - It included removal/rebuild/oils & parts/refitting and follow-up checks at 500 and 6000 miles and a 1 year warranty - What irks me is that just about everyone says the mechanics on these cars are 'bullet-proof' - well keep you head down as a bullet might be on its way to you - Paul [Bedford]

 

[television]

If you search the forums there are not that many problems with the 722.6 box

That garage that said that they have done over 200 of them are telling porkies


The odd fault come up ,but that's it

 

[jberks]

I've never heard of any failures like this beforee and if they'd done 200, it would be a well known issue. I wonder whether the oil has been changed at any point. May not have been as it wasn't a service item at the time.

 

[robbo]

The 722.6 boxes are very reliable. Apart from the odd glycol contamination problem you hardly ever read of trouble, and considering how many of them are out in the field that says a lot.

 

[BlackC55]

They are very reliable I can assure you and that problem that they have told you about is unheard of.

As long as the box oil is changed and it is driven with care 500,000 is easily possible as I have a customer with one at that milage with original ATF!!!