Auto problems

[entropymatters]

Greetings. I have recently bought a 1999 320 cdi which I am (was) very happy with. It has about 106,000 miles on the clock, three MB services and two specialist services all done on the dot, the last one being about 3000 miles ago. Trouble is, on the way home tonight the auto box refused to change gear leaving me doing 40 mph max. on the motorway. When I finally crawled home it wouldn't select reverse. So, I am after some advice please;
1. What is likely to be the problem?
2. Should I take it to MB or a local specialist to get it fixed?
3. Is there anything I can do myself?

 

[Captain Flack]

I had the same problem today. I only picked up my C270 CDi last week so the garage sent someone over to pick it up and took it to the local dealership. The car drove fine once the ignition was switched off and then restarted.

The dealer connected it up and cleared a fault code(don't know what the code was) and said it should be fine and was just one of those things. They said if it happens again to pull over, switch off then restart and it should clear the fault. Hopefully it won't re-occur. If it does I'll let you know but it seems a shame that I've just bought a car for it's solid reliability and already I'm wary that it could happen again without warning.

Good luck with your car.

 

[television]

I had the same problem today. I only picked up my C270 CDi last week so the garage sent someone over to pick it up and took it to the local dealership. The car drove fine once the ignition was switched off and then restarted.

The dealer connected it up and cleared a fault code(don't know what the code was) and said it should be fine and was just one of those things. They said if it happens again to pull over, switch off then restart and it should clear the fault. Hopefully it won't re-occur. If it does I'll let you know but it seems a shame that I've just bought a car for it's solid reliability and already I'm wary that it could happen again without warning.

Good luck with your car.

Most MB's like being used, they do not like sitting around in showrooms and etc. The electronics on our cars is far more than many others, lets hope its OK Many faults including those on a gear box are Key cleared (re start)

Malcolm

 

[Birdman]

entropymatters, that sounds really bad luck.
If it suddenly froze up like you describe, it may be electrical or mechanical (selector) breakage. If it had been getting progressively worse it could be wear 'n' tear.
At 106K miles it really should have had one oil and filter change, at around 60K, if not have it done - assuming it's repairable. In any case, check the level. They aren't made to go forever without an atf change but MB pretended they were.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I'd take it to the nearest Merc indie and have them put the computer on it.