W203 Sequential gearbox

[burty]

Hi,

I have a 2002 c220 with a sequential box but it will not go into "A" Auto !! Works fine manually. Any help would be appreciated.
Burty

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

My condolences.

I have the same gearbox which Mercedes also used in the Sprinter van (unbelievable but true) and it was great upto about 90k apart from a hydraulic pump replacement. At 90k it had a gear selection fault and was replaced in its entirety (a bit extreme in my opinion but the 'warranty' solution) and has not been right since in a number of ways. I can't relate to your fault but I did have a few 'F' episodes when the gearbox refused to play at all and needed time and restarts to reboot.

I can't think of an obvious reason why only manual operation would be available but I assume you are not getting an F in the display. Are you getting the full six gears? My owners handbook says that the limp mode makes the first 3 gears available together with neutral and reverse.

Sorry I can't be more help. there are other members that have this gearbox and hopefully one of them may have some clues.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[burty]

Hi Sprint,

I'm not getting an "F" and all 6 gears work just no "A". I'm not a fan of the box but have got used to it, so far it has been no trouble, car has done 59K. I will see if anybody knows the source of the problem.

Burty

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

Hi Sprint,
I'm not a fan of the box but have got used to it, so far it has been no trouble, car has done 59K.
Burty

I am a fan of the box and when it is working well I think it is the best gearbox there could be. However, I think Mercedes released it to the public before it was fully ready and then stopped any development work that could have ironed out the problems.

 

[mercedesguy]

Auto not selecting

There seems to be very little about this gearbox on the internet. It isnt great, but does return fantastic economy on motorway runs.

I had the same problem as first poster here: the box wouldn't allow me to select Auto, but worked fine in manual.

My local Merc specialist put it on the diagnostic machine and it didnt return any obvious gearbox faults but it did show up that the air mass sensor was faulty. Ordered one and and fitted it. Hey presto, gearbox selects Auto.

I have to admit that I was very worried that we were in for a long and expensive diagnosis. I was delighted that it was fixed with a simple part change.