Loss of Drive, C43 W202 auto

[996jimbo]

Picture the scene:

Late for work again, howling up the dual carriageway, turned off sliproad, around roundabout, go to accelerate off roundabout, gearbox changes down then revs rise and no drive. Didn't go for the 'how many revs will it go to' test that other people apparently do but coasted along feeling a little foolish. Whilst coasting along I fiddled with the gearstick moving it down through the gears (not tiptronic box) but still no drive.

Pulled over, put it into park and it held. Engine still running. Put it back in to drive and gingerly pulled away no problem.

Any ideas?

It does sometimes seem a little vague when changing down at speed if I'm hoofing it. To be honest I don't know anything about auto boxes or how they transmit the drive from the engine to propshaft.

 

[blassberg]

My ML twice cut out at 4000+ rpm. Would then coast, engine off, power steering ok until you put your foot on the brake or the clutch - cant remember, and then the power steering assistance died. Turned off, turned on again - off you go.

They fixed ECU I think.

Amazing how far you can coast from 125 indicated fropm the outside lane of a private motorway.

So was it serious revs or just high revs when the drive stopped for you?

 

[996jimbo]

I was coming off a roundabout, easy round the bend, put my foot down - pause as kicked down - then up came the revs but no drive. The problem seemed to be engaging a gear from kickdown ie it physically didn't engage a gear, rather than any ecu type problem. The engine was running throughout.

I don't know what the process is that the gearbox goes through to change a gear hence not a clue what the problem may be.

Hopefully everyone will reply saying 'yes my car did that once but never again'. Hopefully!

 

[sooper coop]

Mine did that last week. Exaclty the same kick down mid roundabout. basically the car over revved itself and the ECU temporarily shuts the torque convertor down. said the Merc specialist.

Relax. panic over.

ps dont kick down hard mid roundabout. as the diff makes the ecu think its over revving.

and breathe out slowly....

 

[996jimbo]

Phrew - exactly what I wanted to hear!

Seems a bit cr*p though doesn't it?