Gear Change Problem

[Jake Hornsbury]

Hi All

I need to throw myself on the advice of the community. I recently got my first MB second hand (1 month) all good and drove like a dream. (It is important to note this is my first full auto and RWD)

After around 1000 miles I have noticed that the gear changes seem jolty/choppy at lower speeds with a real feeling of the power disappearing for a moment until the new gear engages and your off again. I have also noticed that at low speed the gears are not changing until 2.5k plus rpm and then the revs are dropping g down to 1k to build up again. This seems to only happen in auto and manual mode seems ok. I have tried the “retraining” trick however this made little to no difference.

The behaviour above could well be completely normal for all I know however it does seem to have changed.

 

[Wighty]

Hi All

I need to throw myself on the advice of the community. I recently got my first MB second hand (1 month) all good and drove like a dream. (It is important to note this is my first full auto and RWD)

After around 1000 miles I have noticed that the gear changes seem jolty/choppy at lower speeds with a real feeling of the power disappearing for a moment until the new gear engages and your off again. I have also noticed that at low speed the gears are not changing until 2.5k plus rpm and then the revs are dropping g down to 1k to build up again. This seems to only happen in auto and manual mode seems ok. I have tried the “retraining” trick however this made little to no difference.

The behaviour above could well be completely normal for all I know however it does seem to have changed.

Private or dealer purchase of the car buddy , warranty ?.

 

[Jake Hornsbury]

Private or dealer purchase of the car buddy , warranty ?.

Thanks for the reply

Dealer (non MB) I have another 2 month/1500 mile warranty Left, having driven this morning it is not as pronounced as I said above and is generally 2krpm dripping to 1.5k on change

 

[Wighty]

Thanks for the reply

Dealer (non MB) I have another 2 month/1500 mile warranty Left, having driven this morning it is not as pronounced as I said above and is generally 2krpm dripping to 1.5k on change

I think you need a conversation with the selling dealer about a diagnostic test , or them paying an MB specialist to look at the car

 

[sonic]

Has the car done 37K miles, in which case the gearbox oil should have been changed?

 

[RhodieBill]

I've had a fair few number of Mercs over the years and all but 2 were Autos and generally I have found gear changes to be almost indiscernible. Although when cold then will hold the gears longer, especially 1st/2nd which if you are ambling along can make them feel indecisive and jolty. (This is to warm up everything - but they tell you cars don't need warming up ).
I found that if you sit and warm up the motor for a couple of minutes you don't get this. (and yes, I know you're not supposed to with modern engines - but I've always done it and I do not plan to stop now!).

Also might be due for an ATF change.

 

[Jake Hornsbury]

Has the car done 37K miles, in which case the gearbox oil should have been changed?

The car is around 90k the service history is good but I have to admit I haven’t seen anything about the transmission. Had A/B dealer services to 70k and 3 indies since then

 

[RhodieBill]

The car is around 90k the service history is good but I have to admit I haven’t seen anything about the transmission. Had A/B dealer services to 70k and 3 indies since then

I would get it done.

I do it as a matter of course, along with a fresh engine oil and filters, when I get a new, (2/H) car.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

I would have a chat with the seller and see about getting the atf changed.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[sonic]

At 90K miles it should have had 2 oil changes, as it was serviced by MB up to 70K miles it should have been done. Worth checking with MB on its service history, they should tell you.
Assuming it was done at 70K I would do as Wighty says & get the codes read.

 

[Jake Hornsbury]

Thanks all for the advice, I will get in contact with the dealer and ask him to either book in with himself or a MB specialist.

Does anyone know of a good specialist in the Huntingdon/Cambridge area?

 

[John Laidlaw]

Birmingham is better served I think, the others known on here are 90 ish miles from you

 

[Wighty]

Thanks all for the advice, I will get in contact with the dealer and ask him to either book in with himself or a MB specialist.

Does anyone know of a good specialist in the Huntingdon/Cambridge area?

Phil at Welling Merx, Welling ?
Member @00slk might know someone closer ?

 

[00slk]

Thanks all for the advice, I will get in contact with the dealer and ask him to either book in with himself or a MB specialist.

Does anyone know of a good specialist in the Huntingdon/Cambridge area?

Stewart and Wisbey in Chettisham 01353 665343

Phil at Welling Merx, Welling ?
Member @00slk might know someone closer ?

Good call Wighty

 

[Jake Hornsbury]

Hi All

thanks very much for your help, I have today returned it to the garage under warranty to be looked at. They are taking to a MB Specialist in the Lincoln area for a gear box service and reprogram.
Apparently this was not a day too soon as on the way after stopping at a shop the gear box became very odd, very very slow to change up and quickly changing down (D1 coming up to round about a bit D3 at 40mph). It was also refusing to change with the paddles, a key out restart fixed the issue but any advice would be appreciated.

i am a little wary of getting the car back with the fluid changed and the problem still dormant.

 

[grahamcol]

This latest issue sounds more electrical / electronic in nature. I'd make sure that whoever is looking at the problem is properly equipped with Mercedes diagnostic equipment (Star) as l guess some codes will have been logged.

 

[grahamcol]

Just an addendum to my post above. I understand the more modern Merc diagnostic software is now called Xentry.