E300TD Auto box, wont change gear.

[mat_at_home]

Hi,

Today my E300 stopped changing gear today, I can select reverse and go backwards, and neutral works ok, and drive goes forward, but once in drive or 4,3,2 or 1 it stays in the same gear (second I think) and wont change up or down.

Any ideas what it could be?

Cheers,

Matthew.

[Matt L]

Sounds like it's in limp-home mode. More accurately, it's limp-to-shop mode since you can't tell anything without pulling the codes.

[mat_at_home]

Originally Posted by Matt L

Sounds like it's in limp-home mode. More accurately, it's limp-to-shop mode since you can't tell anything without pulling the codes.

Thankyou for your reply, is there any way of reseting this mode??

[Matt L]

I don't think there is a way other than using the Star diagnostic tool. If there is, hopefully someone who knows will chime in.

[Streetglower]

first things first, check your fluid level. most issues with trannies are caused by low fluid level and mercedes trannies act weird if the level is extremely low.

[mat_at_home]

Ok, I can't see a dipstick to check the fluid level, its a 1997 E300TD? Is it a sealed box?

[Matt L]

There's a red lock tab which must be broken to unseal the fill tube, but there is no dipstick inside. You use a "dipstick tool" to check the level, which goes in the tube but isn't designed to be left in the transmission (as would be normal for the older boxes). This tool isn't very expensive. If I had a five-speed, I'd have one.