A-190 slipping in first gear

[elementalsurfer]

Hi All

I’ve just become the proud owner of a 2000 A-190 with automatic transmission and only 33,000 miles on the clock.

I bought it at auction at what I thought was a very good price, now I’m not sure if I’ve bought a duffer or not.

The clutch slips when in first gear and seams to get even worse the warmer it gets, when it eventually changes to second gear everything seams to work correctly, also reverse gear is fine. Pulling away on a hill is impossible, also it’s very embarrassing pulling away at a snails pace on the flat.

I am waiting for a workshop manual to arrive so I can check a few things out for myself.

I have noticed postings on a few forums about slipping automatic clutch faults with 1st or sometimes reverse gear but no-one came up with a cause.

Has anyone got any idea where the fault lies, could it be caused transmission fluid level, or perhaps an adjustment problem?

What about the vacuum modulator, could that perhaps cause this fault.

I have read somewhere that this car would normally pull away in second gear, is this true and could shed some light on the cause of the fault.

Thanks in advance for any assistance

Tim (Very worried about the cost of this repair)

 

[BlackC55]

It is normally caused by a knackered gearbox but the best thing to do is have the fault memory read.

Auto gearboxes don't have clutches like manual's BTW.

Get it to a specialist asap.

The repair will be expensive. I estimate £500 min.

It's probably why the car is at auction.....

 

[BlackC55]

Oh and get the gearbox atf level checked first as a low level can cause slippage.

 

[elementalsurfer]

Thanks

Wow, what a quick response, Thanks.
I've now got the manual for it so will check the level.

 

[Bolide]

Pop it back in the auction. This is why it was there in the first place

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[jonathanjhann]

slipping in 1st gear = remove engine and gearbox module, seperate gearbox, split gearbox, remove gear sets and replace clutch pack on 1st gear! Mega money, £2000 Easy! Sorry

 

[mattkh]

I've now got the manual for it .

Hi
Which manual did you go for? Is it good?

 

[elementalsurfer]

Manual.

Sorry for the delay in replying, my computer has had a total rebuild.
I got a manual off ebay, I think it's an out of date Mercedes s/w package, very hard to use & quite frankly not really worth bothering with.

Does anyone know what the recommended Automatic Transmission oil & capacity is for the A-190 (Year 2000).

 

[star]

I'm surprised that the transmission hasn't gone to emergency limp home mode, had several clutch pack drums split causing slippage. check oil 1st, then get faults read, ie gearbox adaptations and faults. its an easier job to remove box if you have a split subframe.

 

[elementalsurfer]

Thanks

Yes, that's the plan, I just need to know what the transmission capacity is.
I'm draining the fluid to check to see how much is presently in there and to replaced the filter at the same time. It at least gives me a good place to start, I'm presently trying to see if I can get a dipstick from M.B. If I can get dimensions I will make a dipstick.

I don't want to have to strip the gearbox down but will if I have to; at least it will save a bundle of cash.

Will report back here when I have some answers, it may help someone else later on.

 

[elementalsurfer]

Ouch!

Well, I've had the fault diagnosed by Mercedes and they say it's an internal gearbox fault (not much I didn't know but oh well). At least I now know it's not the G/Box brain.

Cost from M.B. to replace the gearbox £3750 and a measly £2300 to £2500 to strip the old one down & fix it.


So, now I'm looking for a used or recon gearbox, if anyone can help.

W reg (2000) Mercedes A-190, petrol engine, Fully Automatic gearbox.

Thanks

Tim

 

[star]

thats expensive, why buy secondhand, might have the same problem??

 

[elementalsurfer]

Diy

I plan to do the job myself, I've done similar jobs in the past but am less inclined these days. I'd rather spend a couple of weekends & save bucket loads of my hard earned cash.

If I can get a good secondhand one it will save loads of time. Any options considered really.

 

[star]

I plan to do the job myself, I've done similar jobs in the past but am less inclined these days. I'd rather spend a couple of weekends & save bucket loads of my hard earned cash.

If I can get a good secondhand one it will save loads of time. Any options considered really.

true, but how do you know its good until fitted??

 

[elementalsurfer]

Gearbox

I won't I guess until I fit one, however I can't afford to pay MB prices & I've got to get it sorted somehow. The car is only worth about as much as MB want to fit a new box.

Just have to wait & see how it all turns out.

 

[elementalsurfer]

How to

I'm just about to start this job.

Is it best to remove the engine & gearbox in one or should I leave the engine in place & remove the gearbox on it's own.

Cheers

Tim