'98 CLK 200 Auto Gearbox Issues

[DelBenz]

Greetings

in the last couple of months I've had occasional issues with the car not pulling away when in 'D' or any other forward gear - 'R' is OK ( Idle speed 500 - 600 RPM). I overcome this my shifting to 'N' then back to 'D' until it kicks in. On occasion I will be driving and it sounds like it is not changing gear. After rummaging through this forum I took it to an Indie who checked the G/B Oil and confirmed that it was very low and that it had probably never be changed from new ( 105K ). Booked it in for G/B oil service including new gasket and filter (£288 . Less than 2 hours labour)) but alas the problem is still there !! I was told I would need to come back in 1000 miles to do the whole process again as they couldnt flush the whole system in one go. They also suggested it could be 'the electrics pack' ( est £140 + labour ). My wallet doesn't support trial and error and Auto G/Bs are not my speciality area. Any ideas ?

 

[television]

Welcome to the forum, just one thing re the ECU 1998 1999 was not a good year for the connectors that sit just in front of the gear shift, often just a matter of removing the plug and cleaning with a good switch cleaner

 

[DelBenz]

Accessing ECU Connector

Thanks for that prompt reply Malcom. Is the connector accessible from inside the car - (I haven't a Haynes Manual for this one as they dont seem to be upto speed after the demise of Rover ) ? I have some switch cleaner somewhere. A few pointers to getting to it would be helpful. Cheers

 

[television]

Thanks for that prompt reply Malcom. Is the connector accessible from inside the car - (I haven't a Haynes Manual for this one as they dont seem to be upto speed after the demise of Rover ) ? I have some switch cleaner somewhere. A few pointers to getting to it would be helpful. Cheers

The longest thread on the forum was for that module

Its passenger side just in front of the gear shift inside under the console

 

[DelBenz]

I fear the answer I get will not be the one I want to hear ie removing the entire console. I have decimated as much of the console as I can and can see an ECU sitting on top of the transmission tunnel but it is clearly marked - Air Bag Sensor

to the left of the shifter there is a plastic moulding the shape of a potentiometer housing - I suspect the actuator contacts are in there - would a dose of contact cleaner help too ?

Working outside and with only another 3 hours of daylight left removing the console is not a prospect I relish but if that is what needs to be done to get to the Gear Box ECU well so be it. Is it a console out job ?

The problem is still intermittent. Kickdown etc seems OK its only the forward gears that dont engage without a lot of to-ing a nd fro-ing of the shifter.

Many thanks
Thanks

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Is that grease inside the selector, or oil?

 

[television]

I can send you a picture of it please pm me or put up email address

 

[DelBenz]

Q1 - I doubt that it is oil. possibly residue from cleaning products after valets etc . I noticed that there was a rubber sliding bit - no doubt meant to protect against foreign materials - like the cotton bud, match stick, tooth pick I got out of it - and what loks like a 2p coin still in there somewhere.

I had to put the trim back together for the day as it has now got dark and will attempt again later in the week. I tried it out going back wards and forwards 'D' failed to engage 2 in 10 times.

 

[television]

Q1 - I doubt that it is oil. possibly residue from cleaning products after valets etc . I noticed that there was a rubber sliding bit - no doubt meant to protect against foreign materials - like the cotton bud, match stick, tooth pick I got out of it - and what loks like a 2p coin still in there somewhere.

Q2 - my email is Malcolm. I would appreciate the info.

I had to put the trim back together for the day as it has now got dark and will attempt again later in the week. I tried it out going back wards and forwards 'D' failed to engage 2 in 10 times.

ent, you can take away your email address now

Is this a gear selector modual fault where you have been working

What are the frist 6 Vin numbers

 

[DelBenz]

Transmission Control Module

Thanks for the diagram Malcolm - from the looks of it is in the passenger footwell, behind the carpet and sheet metal plate - a lot easier than where I was dreading going ! I will attend to that in the morning. I have some Electronic Cleaning Solvent Plus ( MFG - Electrolube) from RS (264-9691) that I will use on the contacts - unless you have objections to that ? The data sheet makes out it should be OK

 

[DelBenz]

My Vin starts WDB208335 ...I dont know which module could be at fault I'm following your suggestion that it could be dodgy contacts.

 

[DelBenz]

Found that module as per diagram . Its a Siemens Box 5WK33890 A 020 545 90 32 EGS51 - Tried looking it up on google but couldnt find much in English but I could discern that it is transmission related. The left-most connector definitely had a oil like substance coming out of it though the box itself is dry. I sprayed the connectots with fast drying contact cleaner and will am about to do the same to the pins on the bok with the assistance of a soft brush.

 

[television]

Found that module as per diagram . Its a Siemens Box 5WK33890 A 020 545 90 32 EGS51 - Tried looking it up on google but couldnt find much in English but I could discern that it is transmission related. The left-most connector definitely had a oil like substance coming out of it though the box itself is dry. I sprayed the connectots with fast drying contact cleaner and will am about to do the same to the pins on the bok with the assistance of a soft brush.

If this is oily, then the seal in the box need modifying this is a known problem, take the unit off and see if fluid is coming up through the harness

 

[DelBenz]

I have taken the box off and left the harness pointing down to dry out . the pins on he box were were dry - box meaning the ecu. The seals that need modifying - I assume these are at the gearbox end ?

 

[television]

I have taken the box off and left the harness pointing down to dry out . the pins on he box were were dry - box meaning the ecu. The seals that need modifying - I assume these are at the gearbox end ?

I think that there is a mod for this, it needs someone like Black or star to answer this, though other members have done it

 

[television]

I think that there is a mod for this, it needs someone like Black or star to answer this, though other members have done it

Superman Type49 is on air, maybe he will see it

 

[DelBenz]

I've just been trawling the forum and there seems to be a modified gearbox - ECU multiplug (white markings as opposed to multicolured ) and a change in the ATF used. The best I can do at the moment is give it a good clean, put it back together and see how it goes . If the niggles go away then I can assume that I have the sourced the problem and see about getting it booked in to change the plug ( or is it the plug and harness ?? )

 

[television]

Well you are giving it your best shot, and thats all we can do with advice, I hope it works OK

 

[DelBenz]

Oiled up Transmission Controller connector and harness

Put it back together - there is definitely an oil problem - whilst there is not much on the floor the carpet underlay is soaked. Tried going between 'R' and 'D' at least 30 times - worked 100% of the time !! Thank you for your assistance I would never have figured it out in a milion years such a weird fault. The problem still exists as it will eventually oil up again at some point but at least I know what needs to be done !! MB should rectify this on all cars affected as it could be an expensive fault find for those not in the know and could leave a bitter after taste as most garages tend to swop expensive components until they eventually get it right. Thanks again Malcolm and co

 

[television]

Do not forget that your box may be low on fluid aggravating the fault