"A" Class - will not rev or engage gear

[AlanJ]

My "A" Class will barely rev above tick-over. It has an automatic clutch but I am unable to engage any gear, the warning lights for "BAS ESP" and Oil come on and and "F" appears in the gear indicator window that usually only shows 1-5 and R.

I left the car overnight and tried again and everything seemed to be OK, I even drove it to the shops and back. However, today the same thing happened again!

I would appreciate any thoughts on what might be wrong!

Thanks, Alan.

 

[colechelle]

New valve body set needed in the box, common fault, sorry, not cheap!

 

[AlanJ]

Many thanks Cole. Is this a possible DIY job? I have removed, stripped and rebuit the engine from my 50 year old Merc 190SL but I'm not very familiar with this modern technology.

 

[colechelle]

will have a look through wis later to see, but i wouldnt think so Alan!

 

[colechelle]

give us the full chassis num Alan so i can pull the correct car up mate!

 

[AlanJ]

Thanks Cole. It's .... WDB1680332J110460

 

[colechelle]

Theres so much on here about this Alan, can yo pm me your e,mail address and i can send you some data, dont think you will want to touch this!

 

[jibcl500]

Col

I have a customers A190 full automatic. Came in yesterday after the owner reported F on the dash and 2nd gear only. This has happened in the past but the fault has gone away and not returned but on monday it became a problem.

I suspected the valves but not sure, been doing the research on WIS, is it a gearbox out job or with gearbox in car.

Ive driven the car and found nothing wrong, owner reported after stop restart car was fine for several miles before porblem happened again.

Fluids all good and sweet and red.

Ive identified one valve that has had several part number changes and MB have sold 60 in the last 12 months. See attached part number A 168 377 01 35, Im also wondering if the control unit can be a factor in this as this has had several part number changes too.

jib

 

[colechelle]

Never done one on a a class Jib but would think it the same, sump pan of, drop the valve body down and change the valve!

 

[AlanJ]

Well, I have just been told by the local garage that the probllem is a £900 control unit! That's why my semi automatic car isn't going into gear!

I replaced a control unit 2 years ago because the car wouldn't idle, it was £500 then. I am assuming that this is the same unit and that the new one fitted by Mercedes 2.5 years ago did't last very long ....like the dealer that fixed it, which is no longer there!

He looking to see if he can get it reconditioned. Any thoughts?

 

[jibcl500]

Im researching the same problem on a full auto A class at the moment, looking through EPC many of the electrical parts inside the gearbox have been replaced with new numbers, so the parts have changed over time, probably due to the amount of gearbox failures seen in the A class.

Im trying the shift valve to start with and will be checking the control unit at the same time but not replacing it due to cost. If the shift valve doesnt make any difference then control box would be the locical next step but I wouldnt want to risk a 2nd hand one !!!I assume they could be fixed but Malcolm would be the best man to comment.

jib