c220 Auto problems

Chillers

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Hi all, first post here.

I recently purchased a 2005 C220 CDi auto estate, in the main very happy.

Have had a number of problems with the gearbox.

Firstly and this has now happened 3 times, when pulling away hard the car accelerates perfectly, but when I ease off there is a sort of thump and I am effectively in neutral, engine revs and nothing else happens. Put it into neutral and back to drive and it was alright.

Took it to the Garage and they kept it for 3 days put 200 miles on the clock and said there is nothing wrong with it.

Second problem and this happened yesterday, only had 1 gear, again put it into neutral and after that it seemed fine.

lastly engine seems to rev really high at times before it decides to change up a gear, that could be down to me but I have tried driving easier and it still does it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Chillers.
 

television

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Hello and welcome to the forum.

First thing to do is to check the level of the fluid. Was it an MB garage that checked it
 
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Chillers

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Thanks for the replies guys.

Malcolm,

The garage I bought the car from is not a Mercedes garage, indeed I am not sure of their mechanical abilities in any way, but they assure me it has been sent to an auto gearbox specialist who checked for error codes and came back with nothing. They also tell me that they have changed the fluid and some filter, so I assume the fluid level is correct, I was also told that the fluid was clean (not sure what that means).

Rich,

I have read the post you suggested and yes it seems like the exact same problem. When it appears to go into neutral it still says drive on the dash display. I am not sure what additional information I can add at this stage.

Chillers
 

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If the fluid is at the correct level, then this is beyond me, has the cap on the fluid filler tube been re sealed, you can always test the level your self
 

rich.g.williams

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This business of going into neutral - well its kind of good news because if any of the clutches and brakes were slipping I don't think it would suddenly go into neutral.

Most likely faults assuming fluid level is OK:-

1. Electrical/electronic

2. Electroplate or valve body

3. Water in fluid but then you say garage changed fluid.

Hope you get it sorted without too much expense.
 
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Chillers

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Thanks for that Rich, I will check the levels myself as Malcolm suggested and then look into the electrical issues.
 

MB-Car-Tech

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Hi Guys,

new to this Forum but have had over 20 years working and solving problems on these little beauties.

As previously mentioned, first check has to be the oil level - can only be done with a 'workshop' dipstick - gearbox tube is there but no dipstick !! Can be sourced outside of the Mercedes Dealer Network.

This age of transmission suffered from a variety of failures, normally would see fault codes refering to speed sensors. These are on the ETC plate which is attached to the Valve Body assembly - common failure but fault codes always present.

Also gearboxes had a problem with oil contamination - The main coolant radiator would split internally and cause Glycol (Anti freeze) to mix with the transmission oil. This causes a variety of gearshift problems and only seemed to affect vehicles fitted with 'Valeo' radiators. Remedy can vary, first is to get an oil sample to the Main Dealer who can carry out a Glycol test on the oil. Depending on the result it will lead to various fixes. Mercedes now supply a 'special' transmission oil that is meant to help the internal linings. In my experience does not make a long term fix. I supsect the oil and filter was changed previously to cover up the excessive Glycol content. 'Synical'

The thumping into gear could be an internal one way clutch fault. This is obviously a more serious problem. (Strip down of the box) Again this can leave debris in the oil pan and collects bits in the oil filter. Once again.. a 'cover up' with the oil and filter change.

My first step would be to get it to a Mercedes Specialist who has the STAR Diagnostic Machine and see if codes are present for the speed sensors, next get a Glycol test done and pray !!!

Best of Luck
 

Cole@MBS

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Nice first post!!!!

Welcome to the forums MB-CAR-TECH!!!!
 

Blakey

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Not to forget the oil contamination would be accompanied by a droning sound with engine revs at 1500 to 2000 RPM.

Also welcome from me too MB Car Tech :)
 

rich.g.williams

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MB-Car-Tech,

Would value your opinion on 722.6 transmission problem I have as follows:-

Will change from 1st to 2nd up and down as often as I want as long as it doesn't get into 3rd.

If I put it into 3rd at low rpm it stays in 3rd and will not change down (limp home).

If I put it into 3rd at high rpm it is usually OK and will change back to 2nd.

If it is in 3rd for a while it ends up stuck in 3rd (limp home).

Only ever changed up to 4th twice in a few weeks.

I think the lock up clutch is gripping at lower than normal rpm.

Had the error codes read, it comes up with P2502 The gear is implausible or the transmission is slipping.

Shift solenoids all click, I don't think the Star Diagnostic read much else codes.

The speed sensors are working OK (unless there are a few metal filings distorting their output).

Transmission fluid looks a good colour and level is OK.

Much appreciate any ideas as to what to look for next. Car is a May 2004 C200 CDI saloon.
 
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television

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We have had a few 220 cars with the glycol problem, though this was not the same as on the others where a radiator manufacturing fault caused it
 

rich.g.williams

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Malcolm,

Is it that the Glycol problem can happen on any radiator including all those fitted to C220 CDI? Or was there something else introducing the Glycol?
 

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Malcolm,

Is it that the Glycol problem can happen on any radiator including all those fitted to C220 CDI? Or was there something else introducing the Glycol?

Yes any combined rad can leak at any time, and this has happened on quite a few other cars other than the known 203,209 and 211 cars. Nothing else can cause it.
 

Rory

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This age of transmission suffered from a variety of failures, n

....

Also gearboxes had a problem with oil contamination - The main coolant radiator would split internally and cause Glycol (Anti freeze) to mix with the transmission oil.

It a 2005 car - not that old. It's same as mine and I haven't noticed a lot of failures on auto-boxes.

The Glycol problem was fixed in 2003 with a redesigned radiator so that shouldn't affect this car.
 

television

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It a 2005 car - not that old. It's same as mine and I haven't noticed a lot of failures on auto-boxes.

The Glycol problem was fixed in 2003 with a redesigned radiator so that shouldn't affect this car.

Many 2004 and some 2005 cars have had the fault
 

rich.g.williams

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I suppose it could have taken quite a good few months for the radiator Glycol mod to get into the production line.

According to EPC the radiator fitted to my car at least is A203 500 05 03, A203 500 10 03 or A203 500 34 03.

Would any of these be prone to Glycol problems?
 
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Blakey

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A few other avenues to check:

Have you checked the pilot bush is sound, not leaking and securely fitted? Is there fluid in the loom from the pilot bush to the ecu?

You say the fluid is a good colour and level ok. What colour is it and what method did you use to measure it?

If you don't have the droning noise, then you don't have glycol in it.

I hope you get it sorted.

Chris.
 

rich.g.williams

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I will check and report back in due course.

There is no droning noise that I can hear.

Thanks.
 
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