Slipping Auto Box 1996 E230 Estate

[khanie]

Our E230 has had a metallic rattle from behind the dash for a while - nothing picked up on its recent service - but when I drove it today it drove like a manual with a slipping clutch. It would rev hard, with the rev counter moving slowly, then change up and do the same again. If you kicked it down a gear it would rev really hard up to the rev limiter. When in N or P the engine would rev up to about 4250 rpm then the limiter would kick in.

I presume this is a problem with the auto box but any insights would be helpful.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Have you checked the fluid level of the box, it may just need a top up.

 

[khanie]

It was only serviced a couple of weeks ago when the oil and fluid were replaced. Speaking to some others on another forum (live4cars) could it be a sensor? The gearbox still changes perfectly fine with no clunks or grinds and all gears engage.

 

[khanie]

Could the MAF sensor be causing these problems?

 

[bibamus]

The MAF would give you symptoms like unwillingness to rev past about 4000rpm, slow acceleration, jerky gearchanges, difficult to start and low tickover ( all symptoms mine suffered from) but not slipping as you describe.
Where did you have it serviced / fluids changed? If it wasnt a main dealer, did they use the correct ATF fluid and check the level correctly. It could be the wrong fluid or incorrect fluid level. I know lack of fluid can cause slipping.

Allan

 

[television]

Sounds very much like a torque converter problem, do you know if your car is one where the converter has its own drain plug. one test would be to do a stall test, that is to put the parking brake on and hold the footbrake on put it in gear D,and rev the engine, it should not go over 2k. Only do this for 30 secs Max

Malcolm

 

[khanie]

The MAF would give you symptoms like unwillingness to rev past about 4000rpm, slow acceleration, jerky gearchanges, difficult to start and low tickover ( all symptoms mine suffered from) but not slipping as you describe.
Where did you have it serviced / fluids changed? If it wasnt a main dealer, did they use the correct ATF fluid and check the level correctly. It could be the wrong fluid or incorrect fluid level. I know lack of fluid can cause slipping.

Allan

Thanks all for your advice - the oil was changed by an indie specialist using MB spec oil - they only use MB parts (allegedly).

I read on a website that a faulty MAF can cause the gearbox to slip - this was about a Ford Scorpio but I presume the principle is the same. A friend of a friend had a similar problem with his CLK.

Anyway will try Malcom's stall test and will get back to you. It is a 5 speed box with winter/standard switch.

Thanks
Mark.

 

[big x]

Slipping on acceleration is either a pressure control spring K.O or on a high mileage car the bands and clutch pack worn out.
Flaring on more than half throttle particularly 3 to 4 is the bearing in the main clutch basket worn.
To eliminate MAF electrical inputs disconnect it and see how the box works running in the default mode.
Also do the torque converter stall test.
Ask what oil they have put in.Dextron II spec will cause problems.If the problems started as soon as the oil was changed it's
not rocket science where to point the finger !

adam

 

[khanie]

Ok I have done the stall test and the engine didn't rev over 1500rpm.

Thanks for your advice Adam but I'm certainly no expert and have little idea how an auto box works, let alone what those things you mentioned are!!!

I've checked the receipt from the service and it doesn't specify what oil was used - most of the other bits and bobs that were done have Merc part numbers next to them and being a fairly large Merc indie (Andy Gayle in Smethwick) I presume they would use the correct oil. The filter was changed too. The car has done about 800 miles since the service.

Will try running car with MAF disconnected - I know where and what this is thankfully and report back. It hasn't been starting too well over last few weeks either - it will stall if you don't blip the throttle - but is ok when warm.

Thanks again
Mark.

 

[television]

Can I just add, that as you have done the stall test, that means that the torque converter is OK, and that is good news.

Malcolm

 

[tom7035]

I've checked the receipt from the service and it doesn't specify what oil was used - most of the other bits and bobs that were done have Merc part numbers next to them and being a fairly large Merc indie (Andy Gayle in Smethwick) I presume they would use the correct oil. The filter was changed too. The car has done about 800 miles since the service.



Mark.

If you used Andy Gayle then all would be done correctly.

 

[khanie]

I tried running the car with the MAF disconnected - pulled the electrical plug/lead out and it made very little difference - it didn't want to start but apart from this no difference. This would imply to me that its faulty?

Also having located the ATF dipstick there's no dipstick in it - just a black cap with 'MB technicians only' on it - is there another way to check?

 

[big x]

I tried running the car with the MAF disconnected - pulled the electrical plug/lead out and it made very little difference - it didn't want to start but apart from this no difference. This would imply to me that its faulty?

Also having located the ATF dipstick there's no dipstick in it - just a black cap with 'MB technicians only' on it - is there another way to check?

Sounds like a problem with the gearbox then. I'd go back to Gayle for advise.

adam

 

[MJQ]

New member

Sorry, this has nothing to do with your thread - but I've just joined the forum, completed registration etc....and can't for the life of me see how / where you start a new discussion / question / thread !!! I'm sure I'm being dim, but would be useful if someone could point me to the right button.

Anyway, what i wanted to say was I've received a notification from MB regarding my 2000 (X) C240 chasis ref WDB203..... saying that "a cover under the air inlet slot of the engine bonnet may not be installed, which could result in water contamination of various under bonnet components".

Would anyone know if this could be the reason why i get soooo many blown bulbs and minor electrical faults??

Thanks

Mick Q

 

[tom7035]

Sorry, this has nothing to do with your thread - but I've just joined the forum, completed registration etc....and can't for the life of me see how / where you start a new discussion / question / thread !!! I'm sure I'm being dim, but would be useful if someone could point me to the right button.

Anyway, what i wanted to say was I've received a notification from MB regarding my 2000 (X) C240 chasis ref WDB203..... saying that "a cover under the air inlet slot of the engine bonnet may not be installed, which could result in water contamination of various under bonnet components".

Would anyone know if this could be the reason why i get soooo many blown bulbs and minor electrical faults??

Thanks

Mick Q

Go to the list of threads at the start of the particular section you want (in this case I think 'bodywork wheels and trim') and simply click on 'new thread' at top left.

 

[khanie]

It has been very difficult getting someone who will attempt to find the problem and possibly fix it rather than just instantly rebuild the gearbox at huge expense.

I've found a company in Solihull (Transmission Technologies UK) who are prepared to strip the box and look at what's wrong before a rebuild if nothing can be repaired.

Thanks all for your help

Mark.

 

[coco280]

expensive slipping

hi new to forum. just read about slipping gearbox. i have 200e used as a taxi gas converted,everything was going ok until about a week ago then got slipping in 1st. it only happens now and then no trouble with other gears. did round trip from ilfracombe n devon to lytham st anns yesterday no problems but i don't think its going to last.boked into gearbox center to have codes read hope its just a valve. mercedes want £1670 plus vat

 

[khanie]

Thanks to all that offered suggestions. The 'box finally had to be rebuilt but may I recommend to anyone in the Midlands area the company that did the work - they are Transmission Technology UK and are located in Knowle near Solihull - 015647 79407.

They were £300 cheaper before VAT than any other firm plus they did the work in 2 days - most said 4 days. The bloke who did the work - Ken - was very knowledgeable and they do lts of work on Merc - they had a lovely old SL in at the same time.

 

[television]

Thanks for coming back, please put the details of who did it up.

malcolm