Shifting problem

[Capra]

A new problem has appeared over the last week. Jumped in the car one morning, set of and noticed that there was no upshift. Stopped, engine off, starting and all was fine.
What is happening now is, every time I startup I have to stop/start the engine before pulling away and the gearbox shifts ok.
I know I've got to get the error codes read but, I was wondering if anyone has experienced this before? The closest garage to me is a VAG one, who've said they can read the codes for £40 tomorrow, not sure if they have a Star reader?.

 

[Blobcat]

If you’ve AA or RAC “homestart” you could ask them…
They probably will find an excuse not to attend, but it won’t cost you anything to ask - depends how you phrase your predicament really…

 

[mioba]

Call AA, RAC and say your stuck, car wont upshift.'

 

[Capra]

I can get it to a VAG garage tomorrow for £40 to diagnose, or drive further to a specialist next week, they can plug it in for £90 and deduct the bill from any work required. I'm thinking the latter makes sense.

 

[mioba]

Yes a specialist all the way, what do VAG know about MB issues.

 

[Capra]

Yes a specialist all the way, what do VAG know about MB issues.

Probably not as much as an MB specialists, but I do know a few people that take their MB's to this garage. For me it's also logistics, I'm 37 miles away from mine, and this garage I could drop the car off and walk back, not time off work, plus their open on Saturdays. I would rather go every time to the ones further away. I've only ever gone to specialist in the past.

 

[joderest]

just a thought, have you checked your battery voltage ?
Mercedes vehicles produce some odd things with a low voltage battery.

 

[Capra]

just a thought, have you checked your battery voltage ?
Mercedes vehicles produce some odd things with a low voltage battery.

Good shout, I can check that. We're going to North London today for a family get together, even though I've been driving for the last week, a little paranoid about taking mine. Might go down in the Yaris.

 

[Wighty]

What mileage has the car got buddy ?

 

[Capra]

just a thought, have you checked your battery voltage ?
Mercedes vehicles produce some odd things with a low voltage battery.

It was reading 14.18v running.

 

[Capra]

What mileage has the car got buddy ?

Hi mate, it's on 72.5k now. It did have an ATF change June 2020 at 60k miles. But I think I had another one done as I was having some shifting problems then, but that was where I pulled away and didn't have a gear, like not releasing the clutch in a manual.

 

[Capra]

That was the worst £36 spent. Chap plugged in a SnapOn reader, apparently that reads all the codes. Couldn't connect to the transmission, but did read an error coming from the antilock breaking pump. At least I know they are useless. Also picked up a power surge at some point.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Battery was also my first thought. What's the date stamp on the battery? It's the resting voltage you need to check, ie when engine is off.

Had an issue out of the blue on my CLS one morning. Had driven to Luton one afternoon, parked overnight (when frosty spell arrived), started the car the following morning and it sounded (and felt) like a tractor, running on at least 2 cylinders less than it should have been.

Rang Star, was advised to switch off then on again, car was fine. Battery was original and near 7yrs old, and despite regular, long journeys, had decided it had had enough. New battery in when I got home and all was well.

 

[Wighty]

Hi mate, it's on 72.5k now. It did have an ATF change June 2020 at 60k miles. But I think I had another one done as I was having some shifting problems then, but that was where I pulled away and didn't have a gear, like not releasing the clutch in a manual.

It’s funny , Mrs W reappeared in the CLK and has just told me that when she tried to engage Drive it wouldn’t go into it , but after N and R a couple of times it went in . She added that 4 weeks ago it wouldn’t take R but after a couple of N and D it then engaged R .
No fault codes on my icarsoft are logged so I’ll have to wait for a fault code to be logged before I can find what it is ?

 

[AnthonyUK]

Hi mate, it's on 72.5k now. It did have an ATF change June 2020 at 60k miles. But I think I had another one done as I was having some shifting problems then, but that was where I pulled away and didn't have a gear, like not releasing the clutch in a manual.

If it is a mechanical issue which this could be e.g. clutch plates then there may not be any codes until you drive it for a bit and generate an error.

 

[Wighty]

I’ve ordered up the gearbox electrical plug just in case I get any recurrence of problems or a fault code . I can’t be bothered crawling under the car and looking for problems in case nothing happens again .

 

[joderest]

did you check battery after it had been sitting overnight, anything under 12.5 volts, its on its way out

 

[Capra]

did you check battery after it had been sitting overnight, anything under 12.5 volts, its on its way out

I'll get that done this morning.

Just checked and it was 12.16.

 

[Tony Dyson]

There's your problem!!

 

[Capra]

There's your problem!!

Oh ok, I know this was mentioned before, and with Xmas in the way I just forgot. With a battery replacement, is it just remove/replace job done?

Unless anyone has any better suggestions I have found an "Exide AGM 019 Car Battery (850Cca) - 3 Year Guarantee" for £220.