1995 S500 (W140) New Tranny. Help!

[Frank A]

I have a '95 S500 with only 80,000 miles. It is mint. However, it is having trouble going in to reverse. MB Service told me I would need a new tranny & torque converter to the tune of $5000.

Does anyone have any ideas other than spending the $5000???

Thanks,

Frank A.

[mbnz230]

check to see if the trans fluid is low, mind was after i changed the fluid and it had like few second delay, scare the crap out of me and was getting worse. then i added some more fluid and works like it was before. the response time is great.

[Frank A]

Thanks, I've changed the fluid and filters and it did not do the trick.

[NZ Benz]

I don't think that you need a new one you can get a rebuild that will be covered by a warranty for about half of that.

[bass1175]

Do you have a delay in reverse? or you lost reverse? Did it get any better or worse after your fluid change?

[Frank A]

Hi!

There is a delay in reverse, not a loss of reverse. It did get better after I changed the fluid and filter. Also, it gets worse when the car warms up because first thing in the morning it goes into reverse without a delay.

[scotta]

I recently purchased my 1995 S500. When going through the service records I found service records that related to no reverse the following was done...
3/6/06 79281mi Trans fluid condition low and dirty trans service done
3/9/06 79351mi B1 reverse piston and seal worn, replaced seals springs and retainers.
4/5/06 80159mi Trans would no go into reverse Internal failure replaced the trans and torque converter...With credit for the previous work($1300) this guy shelled out an additional $4672 to the dealer.

After reading your post I wonder if there was a mfg problem with some of the components in the trans, and if it was corrected for the new one?

I hope you fare better than the previous owner of my car. He did everything by the book at the dealer, that is why I am suspicious of these problems.

Good luck

[Frank A]

From my research, it looks like my only option is to go for the new tranny & torque converter. By the way, at one point after it first happen, I test drove a Chrysler 300 with the hemi as an alternative to shelling out $5000 to repair my car. While nice, I don't think I can part with the S500.

[mbnz230]

so the problem was cause by low or dirty fluid constantantly starving the trans of lubricates causing it to deteriate so quickly, makes sense, the $5000 repair job does not. i changed my fluid i checked it with my dipstick it showed within the low and high mark, not sure if youre suppose to check it when its hot or cold. so i just add some more fluid like 1.5 quarts to see if its any better. and it did. if that doesnt work for you just drain that much out and you be back to where you are.

[Frank A]

What the heck. I'll add some additional transmission fluid and see if it helps. If I blow the tranny, I'm still in the same spot I am now.

Cheers.