[charentejohn]

Some reassurance required please.

Just had a problem with the Auto box, 1999 model, the story in sequence is .......
On a hot day stopped at a roundabout, slight downhill slope, and box shifted roughly to first gear (like when it misses a gear).
Drove off ok and parked 5 mins later with no noticable problems.
Returned to car after 1 hour and moving off (steering full lock to the right) first slipped badly on a slight upward slope. Eventually changed up but after not so much revving the engine as just taking time to change, about 7-8 seconds.
Same problem all the way home, all other changes work fine.
Parked car and tried to go up ramps but no chance so car left for 4 days pending a visit to have it checked.

Tried the car afer standing for 4 days and it now works ok ?????

Seems fine although some 'roll back' in first on a slope, needs slight revs to stop that.
Basically it does change into second correctly now, just a little slow to 'pressurise' first.
What I mean is normally a solid 'push' when in reverse or first as drive taken up, now only in reverse. First doesn't have the quick 'push' of reverse but does 'wind up' in a couple of seconds (sorry for the wooly descriptions).

So, question is what to do next..........
My thoughts are, have a dealer look for fault codes (good chance won't find any as no F appeared in display).
Change fluid and filter and hope for the best.
May consider adding a quarter of a bottle of Lucas Transmission fix as well just as insurance (controversial I know but it does work, but many not be necessary with new fluid).

Anyone had this set of circumstances ? May be electronic and has just sorted / is sorting itself out ?
I know there are electronic controls in the box and around the gear lever, could these have had a funny turn and then reset themselves.

Any help appreciated, John

 

[charentejohn]

I spoke too soon, it is not fixed

It is ok on the flat but won't go up hills from a standing start in first gear at all. Just revs with no forward motion.

Just returned from an independent garage but their gear can't read the box codes, they also doubt they could fix it so off to mercedes.

Hopefully they can tell me the problem at least. After that I believe, from searching around, that they will present me with a very large estimate for the work.
I will then push the car (12 years old with 38k on the clock and full service record) into a large hole and cover it over.

Shame I hadn't read more on the gearboxes before buying one. This is my wife's car and she is upset by the probable outcome here.

I assume this post is in the correct place for information, is there an A-class section ?

Any advice appreciated, this gearbox seems to have problems generally so somebody must have had this one ????

 

[charentejohn]

Seems I am the only one who has a reply for this question.
Sadly I can't help me as to what this could be, is the anyone out there who has had this problem and what was the solution and cost. :surrender:

I need to know what to do next, car booked in next wednesday for tests but as no F in the display I suspect they won't find anything. Apart from the fact it won't drive up hills.

I have given all then info I can think of, somebody must know something......

One thing I do know is that I will be buying a W124/210 and nothing with electronics on it. Been looking a while now despite my wife saying they are too old. At least my argument has been proven, W124 is not too old the 168s are too new, one problem with a dodgy wire and they are scrap.......aren't they ?

 

[charentejohn]

Thanks for your help everybody (not) what a great resource for those with a problem with their car.

I had hoped someone (someone must have had this problem) would help me but it seems not. Unbelievable..............