automatic trans has no dipstick, how do you check it? - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

MUSTANGMAN · 07-29-2006, 03:58 AM

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED MY FIRST 1999 A CLASS, A140 FULLY AUTOMATIC. THE SHIFTS SEEM A LITTLE OFF WHEN STARTING FROM COLD AND REVERSE SOMETIMES BANGS INTO GEAR??....I HAVE PUT THIS DOWN TO LOW TRANS FLUID BUT CANT FIND ANY LEAKS. I HAVE COME TO TOP UP THE FLUID BUT THERE IS NO DIPSTICK AND THE DEALER SAYS ITS NOT SEVICEABLE??
WILL I DAMAGE THE TRANS IF I GUESS HOW MUCH I NEED?

Rohan · 08-08-2006, 02:49 AM

Hi M,
You will most certainly blow seals if there is too much tran fluid in there. I think that only Merc mechanics can service them.

If you bought from a dealer second hand, do you have 3 months warranty?

I can only suggest to you to find another mechanic to have a look at it. It may mean leaving the A at the garage o/night so that mechanic can see the symptoms you describe.

If there was little fluid in there you would get a warning in the dash.

I hope any of that helps.

ro

Benzino619 · 08-08-2006, 04:03 PM

Sorry off topic. Does anyone know or have diagram of how to lower 2000 S430 by way of moving senor of Airmatic?

MUSTANGMAN · 08-11-2006, 03:39 AM

CHEERS FOR THAT...... The problem is I purchased private and so the Dealer is not intrested unless I book it in as a job....The rates for work or even a diagnostic check is MAJOR COST and Mercedes in my home town of Loughborough, UK have never been known for being cheap!
I have been used to simply topping up or dropping the pan of the bottom of transmissions and servicing with trans fluid myself but even this cant be done as I have been told you need the Trans "re-calibrated" if you drop the fluid??

MUSTANGMAN · 08-11-2006, 03:46 AM

Another thing that has popped up.......When I reverse off in the morning the brakes are really hard on the pedal as if the servo is not working ....BUT...if I pop it into neutral and roll back the brakes are excellent.The same happens in forward gear but as I drive off it goes back to normal with perfect brakes.
It feels as if a sensor or something is not activating as it should when the vehicle is put into gear first thing after standing over night. There are no leaks from the servo and normally the brakes are sharp.I`m thinking a problem with brake assist or something deeper???...Would this show up on a dealers diagnostic scanner???.I have tried with a snap-on scanner and nothing shows as faulty.
MAYBE THE FAULT WITH THE TRANS AND THIS ONE ARE BOTH CONNECTED AND THE SAME THING IS GIVING THE TWO PROBLEMS???

**JOE55** · 08-30-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUSTANGMAN

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED MY FIRST 1999 A CLASS, A140 FULLY AUTOMATIC. THE SHIFTS SEEM A LITTLE OFF WHEN STARTING FROM COLD AND REVERSE SOMETIMES BANGS INTO GEAR??....I HAVE PUT THIS DOWN TO LOW TRANS FLUID BUT CANT FIND ANY LEAKS. I HAVE COME TO TOP UP THE FLUID BUT THERE IS NO DIPSTICK AND THE DEALER SAYS ITS NOT SEVICEABLE??
WILL I DAMAGE THE TRANS IF I GUESS HOW MUCH I NEED?

you can a buy a dip stick .
"I keep thinking about how MBZ says it's "sealed for life" and that what they really mean is "sealed for the life of the*transmission, not the car, and the life of the transmission is shortened by the fluid never being changed."