CLK 270 cdi transmission limp mode

[bshaf]

Hi,

I have developed a sudden problem with transmission on my CLK 270 cdi. My car skidded into a curb at about 25mph, its seemed fined but I could hear whistling from the gear box. After switching off, and restarting after five minutes, I was at a junction and the car completely lost power. I can engage P,N,R,D, however D does not remain engaged for once the car is revved to just over 1100rpm, thus the car is not really moving.

I will be called my mercedes specialist on Monday, but does anybody have any idea of what this may be, cost implications, etc.

The car has never had a gearbox oil change, It has just completed 100000 miles. It is a 2003 53 Mercedes Benz W209 CLK Avantgarde 270 cdi.

I do not have technical knowledge to inspect myself, please can anybody shed light on what this problem may be?

 

[rich.g.williams]

first impression is that auto transmission has lost ATF oil, can you have the ATF oil level checked first?

is there a possibility of any mechanical damage to the transmission underneath?

 

[bshaf]

I have had a quick look, I cannot see any damage to the underside, it wa the front passenger side tyre that just mounted the curb, the wheel passenger tyre clipped the curb. Their are no signs of physical damage. The front tyre side wall is damaged, no underbody damage.

 

[Silver_Star]

Have you had the plastic under tray off for a proper inspection? If not I would.

 

[rich.g.williams]

quite possibly there is an ATF oil leak, have the ATF oil level checked (there are posts on here about how to do it yourself if you wanted to)

once the ATF oil level drops low enough drive is lost, the loss of drive soon after bashing the kerb could be a coincidence or the bump could have caused an ATF oil leak or something else

don't know what the whistling could be apart from ATF oil related

there could be something else wrong so good idea to have a thorough check of the wheels and underneath and of the ATF oil and transmission maybe also check for any stored error codes

 

[bshaf]

Okay, so my local mercedes specialist looked at it, he reckons the problem is physical as no electrical problems can be identified. He also sugggested the radiator is not good, looking at about £1500

 

[rich.g.williams]

has your specialist found water in the Transmission ? Water (Glycol mix) can leak into the transmission ATF oil if the radiator is faulty.

water in the Transmission does not necessarily scrap the Transmission (implied by 1500 pounds)

did the skid at 25mph cause this? more information needed?

 

[bshaf]

Hi,

I will print the thread and take it too him tomorrow, let you know if he has a more technical explanation.

 

[rich.g.williams]

a blocked ATF oil filter could also contribute to these type of symptoms

removing the transmission sump pan will most likely reveal a lot