Newby needs advice on tiptronic drive problem

[Bybuys]

Hi All
Thisi s ths 4th car forum I have joined since retiring 18 months ago. The others, Citroen AX, MGRover, Fiat and Saab have all been to do with helping others fix their cars which is a hobby of mine but I have never had the guts to do anything on my 230 CLK Avantgarde Convertible but now I have a problem. The car is a 2001 auto/tiptronic. Used it a week ago and put it into Drive and noticed it was not changing up thro the gears. Returned and tried it the next morning and it drove perfectly well as if there had been no problem. This has happened about 5 times now when it wont change thro gears and there is no response from the tipronic (just stays in the same gear and displays D) When I stop, turn off the ignition and then back on again, most times it works fine and tiptronic works perfectly. Occasionally have to try a couple of times but it always works and then does the same thing a day or two later. Similar problem a couple of days ago when moving from M5 to M4 motorway. Had to kickdown to get in front of a lorry which it did fine, eased of the gas and then when I used the accelerator again there was no drive and engine just revved. Went to hardshoulder moved gear lever from Drive to Neutral and back to drive and it took off now problem for the next 100 miles on motorway and a and b roads. I have no idea where to start but thought best to get advice of those in the know before I took to a Mercedes dealer/independant. Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated

 

[aa1]

I had a similar problem except I never lost drive. I changed the oil and filter on the transmission and the problem went away. regards AA

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Hi All
Thisi s ths 4th car forum I have joined since retiring 18 months ago. The others, Citroen AX, MGRover, Fiat and Saab have all been to do with helping others fix their cars which is a hobby of mine but I have never had the guts to do anything on my 230 CLK Avantgarde Convertible but now I have a problem. The car is a 2001 auto/tiptronic. Used it a week ago and put it into Drive and noticed it was not changing up thro the gears. Returned and tried it the next morning and it drove perfectly well as if there had been no problem. This has happened about 5 times now when it wont change thro gears and there is no response from the tipronic (just stays in the same gear and displays D) When I stop, turn off the ignition and then back on again, most times it works fine and tiptronic works perfectly. Occasionally have to try a couple of times but it always works and then does the same thing a day or two later. Similar problem a couple of days ago when moving from M5 to M4 motorway. Had to kickdown to get in front of a lorry which it did fine, eased of the gas and then when I used the accelerator again there was no drive and engine just revved. Went to hardshoulder moved gear lever from Drive to Neutral and back to drive and it took off now problem for the next 100 miles on motorway and a and b roads. I have no idea where to start but thought best to get advice of those in the know before I took to a Mercedes dealer/independant. Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated

Welcome to the Forum. I daresay someone with 'flappy paddle' knowledge will be able to advise soon. Just be patient

 

[television]

More than like the the electric plate needs changing, the fault codes will be there,best get an indie to read the fault codes

 

[Bybuys]

Thanks for the feedback. Took to an Indie this lunch who advised that Star can't communicate with gearbox controller and showed that an oil leak from front of camshaft had pushed oil through engine and gearbox loom and into gearbox controller (inside passenger footwell) causing comms failure. Says this needs to be fixed to start with and awaiting a quote. Indicated that it would probably cost about £1000 to resolve. Any thoughts on options or indication of price would be much appreciated or possible cheaper options to resolve. I will post exact price quote later.
Cheers

 

[television]

You do not need any ECU's as they will wash out, and there has never been any problem in doing this, a new seal and the harness should be all that is needed, I have never heard of it going into the box ECU and that has not happened before

Where are you in the UK

 

[Bybuys]

I'm in Northamptonshire.. . Local indie I went to is in Milton Keynes called AutoClass or have two in Northampton called Autobarn and MTek. Is the box ECU a small plug in unit which sits in the passenger footwell area? It definitely had oil in it although he did say they would try and wash it out and clean out other affected part which may be at risk. Happy to come to the West Country if you can advise or can undertake works more cost effectively.

 

[television]

I would ring Ollie in Portsmouth who knows these faults inside out.


info@prestigecarservice.co.uk

02392 570 123

 

[Bybuys]

Many thanks for the info. Spoke to Ollie yesterday and he was very helpful but alas its going to cost me some dough!! Interestingly the indie wiped the oil at the ECU to demonstrate the issue and the problem has not reoccurred but I have no doubt it will. I read elsewhere on the forum that the gearbox ECU can be cleaned with alcohol. Is this straight forward or is there any risk of damage. As regards the gearbox end of the loom what is likely to need replacing and is it straightforward. Really appreciate the advice supplied so far.

 

[television]

A 50p can of lighter fuel is fine to wash the ECU, it evaporates and will be fine, but do be sure that it is dry.

The wiring harness is difficult as the fluid goes between the copper and the plastic sheath. As of yet not found a way to get it out

 

[Bybuys]

Hello again. Weather means I am stuck at home so have removed my gearbox ECU for a play. Can clearly see oil on the loom leading up to it and on the push in connector but not much actually in the ECU where the pins are. I am probably being stupid but having read various strings on cleaning the ECU I gained the impression that the fluid would actually enter the ECU itself but as far as I can see it is tightly sealed and the fluid only washes around the area of the pins. Is this correct or am I missing something. Obviously there is a fair bit on the connector which is probably the root cause of my problem.
Thanks

 

[Bybuys]

Newby needs more advice gearbox ecu

As I am snowed in I decided to remove my gearbox ECU for reason explained in the thread. There is clearly oil in the loom leading up to the connector and all around the connector but there is very little actually sitting around the pins on the ecu itself. Having read previous threads on cleaning I gained the impression that cleaning fluid would actually enter the ECU itself but as far as I can see it is well sealed and the fluid only washes around the pins. Is this right or am I missing something

 

[television]

Both points answered else where the cases do come off. Little fluid will do no harm, if its not running in the fluid when you shake it, leave it