Stuck In Gear

[mercedes-owner]

I have a Mercedes E200 1996, Round headlights model.

The car reverses fine, no matter what gear I select on the auto transmission box (Non-triptronic) it drives in either first or second and does not shift gears. Turning the engine on and off has no effect. No warning lights are displayed.

I took it to a auto transmission specialist, when they clear the fault that is shown, the car starts to change gears upto 45 mph then resets itself and goes back to normal at this point the cars seems to go dead no electrics whatsoever until you turn the ignition off and on.. The problem showed was a solenoid on the board above the gearbox or as I was told. They have resolved this, but the gear problem remains.

Someone has suggested it isnt the autobox and could be the electrics even possibly the ECU?

Any ideas or someone had a similar problem.

 

[woodturner-fran]

OK, this is the same as mine W210 model with a 722 gearbox (722.443 in my case).

If you put it into D what happens? Does it drive off in first, then change into second as normal but when you get to about 40 MPH it doesn't change up?

There may be a number to things to check. First check the auto box oil level - I'm sure your transmission specialist did this, but it pays to be sure.

Check the throttle cable is working freely, pull off the plastic shroud around the carb (it just clips out) and with someone else pressing the throttle, make sure that the throttle linkage goes all the way to the stop on the throttle body.

What happens if you put the throttle all the way to the floor i.e. hit the kick down switch? will it change down?


On a brighter note, its more likely that its something to do with the control of the auto box and gear changes than the ECU. These models with the 4 speed box don't have as much electronics as the newer models, even post 1997, the box was really used in other models as far back as 1989. i won't swear to it but I think that theres a control cable from the carb/throttle to the gearbox and that msy need some attention.

Change points for this gearbox in "E" setting:

1st to 2nd 33 kph
2nd to 3rd 58 kph
3rd to 4th 107 kph

each one is about 20kph higher in "S" setting.

The soleniod valve would be the source of the problem if you were getting no upshifts at all, I would think.

It may be very well worth your while to take it to a good independant merc specialist. Do a search on this group for merc specialists in your area..

Hope this helps,
Fran

 

[mercedes-owner]

The model I have is 5 speed auto box.

At the moment it will not shift at all and is stuck in one gear either 1st or 2nd. I can hit about 40mph and the rev counter will read 4000rpm.

It will not shift at all. When I took the car to the garage and they checked this and cleared the faults I was told it would change gears until you hit 45mph and then the fault would come back. I have not experienced this personally. Everytime I have driven the car it has been stuck in one gear.

The solenoid I was told was fixed but made no difference. The oil levels have been checked and are fine. The Garage advised they could strip the gearbox down but suspected it could be a electronic fault, but they would have to strip the gearbox to tell me whether it was or not a electronic fault, and that was expensive.

I can put the box in D, 1,2,3,4 and this makes no difference still drives in one gear. Reverse works fine.

Winter and S mode make no difference.

 

[Jewell Thief]

I had the same problem took it to a gear box repair company in poole Dorset they replaced a ecu cost £275 problem solved the fluid levals cant be changed on th 5sp box.

 

[woodturner-fran]

ah, you have the 5 speed box, that makes a world of difference, I reatract all that about less electronics etc etc etc.

When I look in your palm, I see a upcoming trip to a specialist!

Fran

 

[tom7035]

Try changing the fuel pump relay. If this was faulty it causes a constant voltage to the kickdown solenoid.

 

[mercedes-owner]

Thanks guys you have been a lot of help. Looks like a trip to the auto electrician. I will keep you updated with progess once I get this resolved.