E280 Sport gearbox lock up

[rayosborne]

I recently purchased a new E280 Sport with auto box, paddle shift etc. The gear box appears to, intermittently and with no apparent consistency, lock itself into a gear when accelerating.

This is more pronounced when the gear box and drive train have been stationery in traffic for some time but conversely can happen at any time. When the problems occurs the gear box appears to stay in 1st for example and will not change up through the ratios automatically. This is with the mode set to C and no use being made of the paddle or gear selector. To clear the box from this I have to either rotate through the modes (C-S-M-C), move the gear shift from drvive to neutral and into drive or stop the car switch off and then restart (not good when joinging a motorway). Operation of the paddle shift or the gear selector has no effect on the gear box and to all intents appears that the gear box has selected manual mode even though the indicator on the dash confirms it is still in C.

Generally prior to the problem occuring the change between gears starts to become harsh (similar to a manual car with the clutch being dropped quickly) jerking the occupants heads.

The gear box oil has been checked, the diagnostic errors have been checked, it has been extensively test driven by MB dealers who cannot trace any fault with the system at all.

Does anyone have any idea as to my limited thinking it would seem to be an electronics problem.

 

[jberks]

I'd agree it sounds like an electronics problem but as these boxes are still fairly new, the available skills and experience are limited, solutions are thin on the ground, though hopefully one of our guys will have some idea. Oddly I have a similar issue with the wipers on mine which, when set to auto, every so often nod off and have to be turned off and on again to reset. Not as serious as a gearbox though and to be fair, I haven't reported it to the dealer yet.
These things can drag on and on so I'd strongly that at the earliest point, you get the dealer (or do this yourself) to request MBUK's immediate involvement as you may end up 'rejecting' the car.

 

[rayosborne]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Ironically has not happened over the past couple of days. Will post any further developmens on this.

 

[television]

We have had three threads of cars doing this, no one yet knows the answer.
My last SL could do the same.

On the other threads we are waiting fo the outcome of a car with the same problem, maybe a little more persistant than some.

Gearboxes do not have a memory, that is they do ,but it is key clearing,in other words every time you start the car the codes are cleared. This means that when the fault accures,the car must be got to a MB dealer without turing the engine off, to have the fault codes read.

Malcolm

 

[rayosborne]

Thanks for the response.

Ironically MB have had the car for the last week, collected it on Saturday morning, they could not find or experience any fault with the box. Have just been out and 3 miles later lock up in 4th.

Exasperation is now setting in. Will have to start shouting a lot louder.

 

[television]

Thanks for the response.

Ironically MB have had the car for the last week, collected it on Saturday morning, they could not find or experience any fault with the box. Have just been out and 3 miles later lock up in 4th.

Exasperation is now setting in. Will have to start shouting a lot louder.

It is as I say,you must take it to MB when the fault accures without turning off the engine,its the only way.

Malcolm

 

[jaymanek]

There have been various software updates, you need to take your car to the dealer and ask them to apply the updates as this is a known issue.

 

[rayosborne]

There have been various software updates, you need to take your car to the dealer and ask them to apply the updates as this is a known issue.

Thanks for the reply. You mention updates, would you think that these would apply as the car is only 5 weeks old.

 

[jberks]

Thanks for the reply. You mention updates, would you think that these would apply as the car is only 5 weeks old.

In theory, the dealer should have applied them before delivery - but then they may not have. The fact that it is 5 weeks old is only a delivery date. Many cars are built perhaps 6 months before they are 'new'. (My Nov 04 E class was built in June) However, I'd imagine that if the dealer has had the car back, updates are the very first thing they are going to look for.
I'd ask for MBUK's involvement at this stage. The car is unsafe (as you say, it could be hairy on a sliproad) and I'd be suggesting to the dealer that you may want a replacement if they can't get to the bottom of it.
However, as Malcolm says get it playing up and take it straight to the dealer as have them see the problem for themselves. Easier said than done though I realise.

 

[rayosborne]

That give sme another avenue to go down when they next weeek. Thanks for the advice and have a great Christmas. I'll keep you posted, if anyone else has any thoughts pleas elet me know.

 

[rayosborne]

Have checked with the MB dealer the latest upgrades have been installed. On going through my notes it looks as though the problem is more prevalent when changing up through the gears whilst gong uphill. This made me start thinking. I live on a relatively steep hill and when descending the hill the box will change down automatically and give a large level of engine braking. But how does the car 'know' I am descending, is there a sensor which detects a change in atitude of the vehicle from the front to back. Could this also affect the up change when going uphill in holding onto a gear longer than normal, but then losing its way and not allowing any further up changes. If there is a sensor then could this be intermittent.

Over the past 3 days the problem has happened at exactly the same place, when accelerating uphill. Any thoughts on this anyone.

 

[television]

Have checked with the MB dealer the latest upgrades have been installed. On going through my notes it looks as though the problem is more prevalent when changing up through the gears whilst gong uphill. This made me start thinking. I live on a relatively steep hill and when descending the hill the box will change down automatically and give a large level of engine braking. But how does the car 'know' I am descending, is there a sensor which detects a change in atitude of the vehicle from the front to back. Could this also affect the up change when going uphill in holding onto a gear longer than normal, but then losing its way and not allowing any further up changes. If there is a sensor then could this be intermittent.

Over the past 3 days the problem has happened at exactly the same place, when accelerating uphill. Any thoughts on this anyone.

I think that you will find that the engine braking in the lower gears is there all of the time. When you are going up hill you do not notice it.

malcolm

 

[carabind]

I think there is some sort of sensor to judge whether you are going up or downhill. I notice that on going up a gradual hill, the box won't change up at 2k revs (as norm) even if I feather the pedal for a few seconds.
Could be vacumn related, or some sort of mercury switch even??

 

[rayosborne]

I would agree with that a I have noticed this on more than one occaision. The vehicle is booked back in again with MB on the 03-01-07, will let you know what they say.

Anyone else shed any light on this???????

 

[ernieh]

Auto gearbox Downchanges, etc

Without knowing the ins and outs of these gearboxes (2004 C200K), I too have noticed the gearbox downchanging when going uphill, even on relatively light throttle openings. Interestingly, on Cruise Control, say 50MPH on a steep downhill (M77 approaching Glasgow), the 'box downchanges to 4th and then 3rd, no doubt to control the set speed of the car within the set limits. How this is acheived might be a good question, but I guess either vacuum or else an attitude sensor of sorts would do the job. I have also noticed down- changes during extended braking downhill at speeds I wouldn't normally expect it. Presumably these are what they call intelligent gearboxes!

On another subject entirely, could I just take this opportunity to thank the regular contributors for their advice and help during 2006 and wish them and everybody else all the very best for 2007?

Ernie

 

[Blobcat]

The newer boxes are electric and too clever by half

 

[Schtum]

The newer boxes are electric and too clever by half

ISTR I had a Video Recorder that used to lock up. When it was fixed the engineer reported it had suffered a frame collapse.

Frame collapse I asked?

Yes, you could call it a nervous breakdown!

Anyone remember Videos?

Good luck with the car.