A class auto gearbox trouble.

[widebodysec]

hi guys, I am back again as you always come upwith the he info, OK car is a Late w169 A160 with a 5 speed auto. It not my car now but neighbour got it few months back. Right, it was fine but came up with F on dash and limp mode. Got it home, left it, went out and tried later was ok. Next day same, so RAC came out, nothing on computer and nothing to see, cleared anything on computer and was fine. Since then, driven fine to auto guy, nothing seen and had new oil and filter as prob old. Drove 2 days fine, yesterday, 5 miles out, F came back, Limp mode home, in low gears. Left it hour, went out, now seems just setting of in maybe 3rd and got high gears. Any ideas???.

 

[John Laidlaw]

I think this may help your neighbour
http://www.ecutesting.com/mercedes_a-class_automatic_gea.html

 

[Submariner1]

hi guys, I am back again as you always come upwith the he info, OK car is a Late w169 A160 with a 5 speed auto. It not my car now but neighbour got it few months back. Right, it was fine but came up with F on dash and limp mode. Got it home, left it, went out and tried later was ok. Next day same, so RAC came out, nothing on computer and nothing to see, cleared anything on computer and was fine. Since then, driven fine to auto guy, nothing seen and had new oil and filter as prob old. Drove 2 days fine, yesterday, 5 miles out, F came back, Limp mode home, in low gears. Left it hour, went out, now seems just setting of in maybe 3rd and got high gears. Any ideas???.

We had that on our A Class A160 Auto, owned from new, the gearbox went into limp mode at 47,000 miles!
If memory serves me well, it was the gearbox controller module. Engine out and split the gearbox to insert it.
Horrific estimated bill!
Fortunately my Dealership argued with MB warranty for a few days!
My argument being a gearbox should last more than 47K, and why bury the controller module ... poor design etc.
MB UK then covered the entire cost of the part £640 (I think) and all of the labour charges, which was a lot!
Weirdly they wouldnt pay for the replacement oil!
But hey I was delighted.
The dealer said 2 things were in my favour, a) we were the original owners and a full dealership service record b) I had purchased a new SL500 £81,000 4 months before the incident. And they checked I had bought 6 other new MBs. ... they checked that out.

Hopefully one of the Indys can work some magic. Try Sevan Motors if you can get it to West London, extremely reasonable and a true A Class Specialist ... thats all he does. Eg Main dealer quote to change the starter motor £1400 he did it for £435 including a new MB starter.
Note if they are dropping the engine .. it is worth replacing the starter (MB one is £325) if he intends to keep the car. A known weakness.