9G Gearbox problem?

[Glasseyefong]

My S Class is coming up to 4 years old and has done 7,700 gentle miles. Yesterday, while accelerating at about 40 mph, I heard and felt a clunk/lurch from where I assume the gearbox is located. Since then, the gearbox only changes up at about 2800 rpm (normally about 1500) and doesn't go above 5th although this might be because at 2800 revs in 5th it is doing close to 80 which I don't do. The manual gearshift paddles no longer work. The yellow engine warning light is also illuminated.

Any ideas as to what this might be before I take it into the MB main dealer next week?

Martin S

 

[grahamcol]

No idea but I'd be taking it to a good Merc independent rather than main dealer. That's assuming it's not under warranty.

 

[Blobcat]

I’d give @alexanderfoti a call and take it to him. He’s down your way

 

[mioba]

Cant guess with these cars I am afraid, far too complicated and with all the computers it needs deciphering by MB or an indy.
So take it into the MB main dealer / Indy next week.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Glasseyefong]

The car is booked in for an hour of diagnostics next week @ £170 odd per hour. I'll start with the main dealer because if there's an expensive problem I'll be pushing for a significant contribution from MB.

 

[Mujja]

On OBD scanner might be able to read codes and give you a rough idea of where to look, much cheaper than the £170/hr

After trusting garages to diagnose issues for years, I bought a FIXD OBD scanner last week for £50 and already saved several hundred. Checked what the error codes meant, a little bit of DIY and calling around to replace just what was needed.

I had never even looked under the engine cover before.

 

[Glasseyefong]

According to the MB mechanic, the fault code relates to the Differential Pressure Sensor. There was little obvious information about this gadget on the internet and that seemed to link it to the DPF. I assumed it would be gearbox related. £260 to replace plus £170 diagnostic fee.

I think this will be my last MB. Pity Toyota don't make something similar to the S class, it might be a bit more reliable.

 

[Botus]

did it attempt to kick of a DPF regen, then fail.... the DPF pressure sensor is on revision 7, and NOx sensors up to revision 3, also related to the ability to make a successful regen

and its probably due a big update for the emissions? ...some bedtime reading

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forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

W213 E220d Dpf removal

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[barian]

I think this will be my last MB. Pity Toyota don't make something similar to the S class, it might be a bit more reliable.

They do. It's called the Lexus LS.

 

[Glasseyefong]

Botus - I know little about how new cars work and no idea how to tell if it was regenerating. I would be surprised if it had started a DPF regen. as the week before I had driven 500 miles to Yorkshire and back. Wouldn't it have done it then if necessary? The NOx sensor on my last S class (previous model) went at about 20,000 miles. The messages were telling me to drive no more than 500 miles, check AdBlue. I can see a connection there but not to how it affected the gearbox.

Barian - Thanks for the reminder, I'll have a look when my maintenance contract runs out.

 

[barian]

According to the MB mechanic, the fault code relates to the Differential Pressure Sensor. There was little obvious information about this gadget on the internet and that seemed to link it to the DPF. I assumed it would be gearbox related. £260 to replace plus £170 diagnostic fee.

I think this will be my last MB. Pity Toyota don't make something similar to the S class, it might be a bit more reliable.

Given the age, unusually low mileage and the fact that you have a service plan I would suggest you ask your MB dealer to seek a goodwill contribution from the manufacturer. When I had a differential pressure sensor fail on my previous C class at 4 years and about 35k miles, Mercedes picked up 75% of the total cost.

 

[Glasseyefong]

The MB dealer at Dartford is part of the company rather than a franchise dealer. I was dumbstruck a couple of years ago when I found out that they were moving to a site literally next to the last exit, 200 yards before the Dartford Crossing. Access is usually a nightmare due to the frequent traffic jams. I find it so annoying that they have my phone numbers and email to send me things but when I try to contact them (6 times today) to find out what is happening, it's basically impossible. Even more annoying to get an email just now asking me to pay before I collect the car. When I responded that I would not be doing that they ****** soon replied. I broached the idea of a contribution yesterday and was told that would not be possible as it is outside warranty. I will try again tomorrow if I can get there.

TL/DR - after my service contract runs out in February I will take the car to an independent garage.

 

[Botus]

Botus - I know little about how new cars work and no idea how to tell if it was regenerating. I would be surprised if it had started a DPF regen. as the week before I had driven 500 miles to Yorkshire and back. Wouldn't it have done it then if necessary? The NOx sensor on my last S class (previous model) went at about 20,000 miles. The messages were telling me to drive no more than 500 miles, check AdBlue. I can see a connection there but not to how it affected the gearbox.

one would hope it used the 500 mile trip to do it if needed.... but if the faulty sensor stops it doing this, it usually tries to do it again and again till completed successfully .

the reason I thought of it, the vehicle will make noises and operate with a detectable difference during the Regen process,
mind you just re read your first post and that sounds more like the box has had a moment... initially I was thinking before yesterdays reply was it just a sluggish gearbox being lazy, they do adapt to wear and tear and do need fluid changes which tend to help them last and change more nicely ...

Overall that's were software and such can do odd stuff dependent upon what the engineer designing it was trying to achieve and for whatever reason. And its not always documented.

Would be interesting to know if it was a main dealership and if any emission software updates were applied to your car? did you ever check the paperwork when you picked it up, and or know about diesel emission software fixes?

Check if a vehicle, part or accessory has been recalled

Check if a vehicle model, part or accessory has been recalled because of a fault in how it was made

www.gov.uk

Current recalls | Mercedes-Benz

Find out about the latest recalls and see if your Mercedes-Benz is affected.

www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

 

[Glasseyefong]

Thanks for the additional input. I checked the 2 links and there are no recalls or updates on my vehicle.

There isn't any paperwork as I recall, everything is done by email and attachments and there is very little detail on them. I suspect updates are not done very often if at all, certainly the case with the satnav maps.

If I get there tomorrow I will hopefully find out how the malfunctioning sensor manifests itself as a gearbox issue.

 

[brandwooddixon]

It's a shame really, but with the amount of mileage that you're doing I would have steered clear of a diesel. So many people seem to be pushed into buying a diesel when all they do is short journeys and low mileage.
I hope that you get this sorted in a satisfactory manner.

 

[Botus]

Thanks for the additional input. I checked the 2 links and there are no recalls or updates on my vehicle.

There isn't any paperwork as I recall, everything is done by email and attachments and there is very little detail on them. I suspect updates are not done very often if at all, certainly the case with the satnav maps.

If I get there tomorrow I will hopefully find out how the malfunctioning sensor manifests itself as a gearbox issue.

...software updates generally fall within five categories

1) Safety/Emission mandated related recalls - Usually completed on <60% of cars
2) Driveability glitch fixes with multiple customer complaints - Completed during warranty by owners that give a **** - Usually <20% fixed
3) Reliability fixes - Deliberately withheld to get more money on diagnostic testing - <10% of cars ever fixed
4) In car entertainment security and bug fixes - <5% fixed (this picture on this is changing with more manu moving to online updating)
5) Sat Nav Mapping - a free ASK for feature with Merc comand within the first 3 years (will NEVER be applied unless you argue like hell and book it in during a service inside original warranty and stand there and make them install it) - oddly this is probably the least needed yet most updated element of a cars software usually at year 5 with hooky maps

 

[Srdl]

5) Sat Nav Mapping - a free ASK for feature with Merc comand within the first 3 years (will NEVER be applied unless you argue like hell and book it in during a service inside original warranty and stand there and make them install it) - oddly this is probably the least needed yet most updated element of a cars software usually at year 5 with hooky maps

Southampton Mercedes have done mine for the last two years without being asked - and yes, I did check the version number before and after. I didn’t ask the first time because I was on a “while u wait” service and I was in a hurry and, last year, it just happened. I will be making sure it is done again later this month before the three years is up.

 

[Botus]

Southampton Mercedes have done mine for the last two years without being asked - and yes, I did check the version number before and after. I didn’t ask the first time because I was on a “while u wait” service and I was in a hurry and, last year, it just happened. I will be making sure it is done again later this month before the three years is up.

wow

 

[kotecki]

Given the age, unusually low mileage and the fact that you have a service plan I would suggest you ask your MB dealer to seek a goodwill contribution from the manufacturer. When I had a differential pressure sensor fail on my previous C class at 4 years and about 35k miles, Mercedes picked up 75% of the total cost.

Totally agree and hopefully you have a good relationship with that dealership, the car is not even four years old... That gearbox should be silky smoth

 

[Glasseyefong]

I got the car back after 48 hours and it was OK on the drive home. I'll take it for a longer drive tomorrow to make sure. I tried to contact MB Dartford by phone (2) and text (4) on day two to find out what was happening and when it would be ready but there was no response. They only got back to me by email when I told them I would not be paying their bill until I received an explanation of the problem. When I collected it, I asked to speak to someone on the service side and had an explanation of what went wrong but not why it went wrong. It cost £431.10 which I think was 3/4 hour diagnosis and a fixed price to supply and fit the sensor. I asked for the name and email address of the MB customer relations executive. I will send a suitable moany email to him but don't expect any joy.