One FIXED ``f`` problem

[Teemu]

Hi,


I noticed that this f problem is so common, i have to share my experience with it.
We have A160 automatic and there was strange things in tranny: huge gap between 1 and 2 gears, and all other gears went on and off without anykind of logic, every now and then F on dashboard. I took the car to local mb dealer for normal service and asked them to look transmission at the same time, if there is something wrong...when i picked up the car from dealer they said it can be fixed but costs will be lot..hmm..we booked new time for tranny repair.
Here`s what they did to it:

changed electrohydraulic control unit
changed some other ? control unit
changed transmission oil and filter
adaptation reset

costs 2250€

well, costs were huge, but now it runs so very smoothly
I don`t know if love or hate this car.....

[lofty]

Many thanks for the feed back and information, I was convinced that MB ask owners with the 'F' problem to keep the outcome a secret as having had the work done we never get feed back on any forum on the problem.
I take it MB have not detailed your bill with the part numbers of the components they have changed/replaced?
So if the 'F' shows again in the next 12 months 2 years, how are you going to know if it's one of the parts they claim to have replaced?

The other aspect is that your service history is incomplete without knowing what parts have been replaced how can you pass this info on as a selling point to the next owner.


It sounds as though MB have replaced the selector module in the cab as well as the Valve chest plus fluid, along with programming the transmission.
Thank goodness there isn't much more they could have changed.

For peace of mind and warrantee work I would want to know precisely what they have fitted, transmission sump magnet for instance! That's the bit that attracts all the fines metal bits that come of the transmission mechanism.

Having said that I'm very pleased that you car is now running well and at least we know what the 'F' stands for! Only expressed when seeing the size of the bill I suspect. Good luck and may you know have many years of trouble free motoring.

And if you have no objection I would like to past this information on my new page on the ACS automatic transmission, although thanks goodness I haven’t go one on my car.
Best wishes Lofty

[Teemu]

Hi there Lofty!

I have to ask dealer the correct part numbers, when i get more info i`ll add it here. I looked that bill again and noticed that they changed transmission oil sump as well.

You are more than welcome to share this information with others.

Teemu

[lofty]

Teemu,
many thanks this is importaint for you as well unless you know the parts thay have fitted you cannot argue at a later date if things go wrong of course we hope they don't and if they do it's normally a couple of weeks after the warantee expires, but you should have this information for you complete service history. Itemised billing appears to be something MB avoid and yet without it you have no service history.
They have it on record but you haven't got access to their information .
I for instance had a new ECU at 3 years and 9 months the bill /receipt my invoice simply says 'mass airf flow sensor romove replace it if necessary perform short test.'

So from the service history point of view was it replaced or not? The answer is yes because I asked for the old unit back but otherwise I have nothing to say it was replaced apart from a bill for £897 note the date 03/11/2005 nowehere does it say it was replaced.

You do better if like me you purchase MB parts and fit them yourself ( this wasn't possible in your case ) because MB then give you an invoice with all the parts purchased detailed
with part numbers and price
For instance in your case I understand it's usual to replace the magnet in the sump of the transmission when changing the fluid, you wouldn't know at present if that had been replaced or not!

Having said that I hope your car is now running well long may she run.
Lofty