[90fox]

Hi everyone!

My friend has a 1998 c230 4 cylinder. The issue is sometimes the car will have a acceleration problem. He will even floor the pedal to the ground and the car will not increase in rpm's. The car will somewhat sputter and struggle to gain speed. He said the problem will normally only occur after he has pressed the pedal all the way down and pushed the transmission downshift button which is behind the accelerator pedal. But it will function correctly at first, properly downshifting the tranny and accelerating but soon after it acts up.

Do you think its possible that the transmission gets stuck in a higher gear after it downshifts?

Could you give me any tips or sensors or parts that i should test?

Thanks for your help

 

[RevoWution]

MAF sensor. Get that checked

 

[90fox]

which wires on the maf should i test for voltage? also what voltage should i be reading? is this koeo or koer?

thanks

 

[liquidusculade]

ok, it doesnt sound like its anything to do with the transmission. i would ask how long since the spark plugs and air filter were changed. i would also recommend maybe a throttle body cleaning since its free next, your option to test the maf. you can do this by disconnecting the plug and driving the car with it disconnected. this will make your check engine light come on, but if it drives better disconnected, you know its the maf causing the problem.

 

[C280blackINrims]

i used to have that problem thats when your transmission fluid gets to low.

 

[liquidusculade]

its free to check the tranny fluid too! dont rule it out, but it sounds like the transmission is working properly judging by your post.

 

[90fox]

Liquid -

I'm kind of leaning away from plugs or air filter because those would probably cause a problem more frequently than what is happening now. The car really runs fine until that tranny downshift button is pressed. I will not rule them out though. Its free and easy to check.

C280 -

Wow transmission fluid could cause this?! I'm meeting him today to check out the car so I will definitely check this out.

Thanks again guys. :thumbsup:

Any more things i should look for?

 

[liquidusculade]

is the problem only when he presses the kickdown switch? does it happen at normal driving?

i admit the air filter and spark plugs probably arent the cause, but should be replaced at their recommended intervals and are a cheap thing to rule out, before you go replacing maf's or other expensive components.

 

[90fox]

Yes only when the kick down is pressed.

**** How do i check the transmission fluid? There is a locking cap with a red tab on the transmission fluid tube. How can I remove this to check the level?

 

[C280blackINrims]

Well my dad just told me that he had that same problem in his old benz and it worked on my i just add 1/4 of the tran. flu. and it started like new.

**** this doesnt fix the problem just give you some time to save up money to fix your downshifter in your tran. I had to do the same thing now have a eng. leak

 

[90fox]

Hey C280,

This is not a starting issue or idle issue. The problem is accelerating after the downshift button behind the accelerator has been pressed. You mentioned I may need a new downshifter. Is this the part that is causing the poor acceleration? Do you think that is why the car has a hard time accelerating? Is it possible the transmission is stuck in a higher gear and that is what is causing the poor acceleration?



I'm so confused as to why I can't check his transmission fluid level. There is a black cap with a red plastic piece attached. I cannot pull out the dipstick, if there even is one.

 

[cjshade]

OVP Relay

I think you simply have a bad Over Voltage Protection Relay.:crybaby2:

Does the car RESET when you turn it off and restart it and run normal until you floor it again? If so we are very likely talkin' OVP Relay. Many Threads on here to describe the problem further.

EASY and fairly cheap fix.

Good Luck & Welcome to the Forum!:thumbsup:

C as in 220

 

[90fox]

Hey Cj,

Yes the car does reset and run normal once we turn the car on and off. I will do a search and test it hopefully tomo.

Thanks

:wave:

 

[cjshade]

Here's you cluprit...

Here's your culprit, and solution. The third one down even says it covers kickdown.

You'll have to figure out which one is right for your C by the info they are asking for.

Your Parts Search Returned 4 Part(s)


Good Luck!:thumbsup:

C as in 220

 

[90fox]

Nice find Cj! :thumbsup:

Thanks again everyone for the help! We will be checking the transmission fluid levels and definitely looking into this OVP relay unit. My friend looked at the other items the relay controls and mentioned his sunroof and seats etc also have issues now and then. I will post an update once we find out if these items were the cause or not.

:beerchugr:

 

[liquidusculade]

also, if you get a chance to get under the car, make sure their are no leaks. the electronically controlled trannys are known for tranny oil wicking up wire runs and killing tcm's.

the cap with a red tab is indeed a locking cap, and im not sure if yours has a dipstick in it or not. there are some posts on here for diy tranny fluid change, check them out, i know they have pictures of how to remove the cap.

 

[Fusion.C280]

I noticed the same problem on my car before I garaged it in November.
I first noticed it on pressing the pedal to the metal, but later discovered that when I manually shift down to 3rd and accelerate calmy from about 2500rpm up, I get a sputter and slow-down at about 3900-4000rpm, but then it'll continue to go up.
I haven't been able to work on this problem since I haven't driven the car since then, though I tried it about three times during that month and it was always the same.

 

[benzo23]

i have this same issue, i was able to find 7 total relays on the car, 5 in the fuse panel, 1 in the computer area, and 1 in the trunk, and none of them look like the picture of OVP relay, i was reading a post and read that the 1997-98 c230 doesnt have one, can anyone confirm this? or if someone knows where this is exactly located that would be a great help. thanks

 

[tonysmallz]

i have had 2 202s both same issues both mafs changed both had clean bills of health after

bite the bullet pay the premium change ya maf

 

[benzo23]

actually had the car at the MB dealer earlier this week for another issue, and they checked the MAF and said it was working fine