S430 gearbox problems
10-04-2016, 10:20 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
W220 S320, W126 380SEC, W111 220SE
S430 gearbox problems
My car has developed a gearbox fault which became apparent after failure of the reed valve on the air intake allowed water to flood in under the carpets, and flooding the rear SAM module, but this is probably unrelated to the fault I'm about to describe.
When the vehicle is running cool, the gears change smoothly. When the engine warms up, there is a small vibration under acceleration through the lower gears. When rapidly accelerating up a hill, the gearbox occasionally disengages from drive and goes into neutral; the gear lever doesn't move from the drive position though. The only way I can correct the problem with the engine running is to shift back to neutral, then back into drive.
I can't check the quality and level of the transmission oil without a dipstick, but it seems the fault could lie in the electronic control of the gearbox, if not the valve body. (ulp!) Any suggestions?
When the vehicle is running cool, the gears change smoothly. When the engine warms up, there is a small vibration under acceleration through the lower gears. When rapidly accelerating up a hill, the gearbox occasionally disengages from drive and goes into neutral; the gear lever doesn't move from the drive position though. The only way I can correct the problem with the engine running is to shift back to neutral, then back into drive.
I can't check the quality and level of the transmission oil without a dipstick, but it seems the fault could lie in the electronic control of the gearbox, if not the valve body. (ulp!) Any suggestions?
10-04-2016, 09:17 PM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
You don't say where you live - In the USA, we can buy a transmission dipstick quite reasonably on eBay and have it in a few days.
