1997 C200 Transmission Failure
03-06-2018, 10:27 PM
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1997 Mercedes C200
1997 C200 Transmission Failure
Hi there,
My 1997 C200 with 270000Km began having rough shifts in the lower gears. One night it got stuck in a single gear (I assume in limp home mode) but I haven't had it happen again in the week or so after.
I took it to my MB specialist who said the transmission is at the end of its life. They referred me to a transmission specialist who refused to have a proper inspection of the tranny because "if take out the oil to have a look, it might not drive off after.".
I was wondering if someone could explain the last point to me, I understand pressures and things change when you pull out the oil, does he think the gearbox will completely fail if we change something about it?
Thanks.
My 1997 C200 with 270000Km began having rough shifts in the lower gears. One night it got stuck in a single gear (I assume in limp home mode) but I haven't had it happen again in the week or so after.
I took it to my MB specialist who said the transmission is at the end of its life. They referred me to a transmission specialist who refused to have a proper inspection of the tranny because "if take out the oil to have a look, it might not drive off after.".
I was wondering if someone could explain the last point to me, I understand pressures and things change when you pull out the oil, does he think the gearbox will completely fail if we change something about it?
Thanks.
03-12-2018, 02:40 PM
#2
I think you need to find another "transmission specialist". There is no cause that I know of for the trans not to function if one only drains the oil and removes the pan for inspection, unless it's the multi-plug where the control wires pass into the pan. Even that is a low-cost (relatively) replacement part as long as you don't buy it at the dealer.
You appear to be saying the car went into limp mode but "cured itself". I though once in limp you were stuck there. It might help if you post the trans failure codes, but I somehow doubt the dealer will provide those to you unless they are noted on the last work order.
That said, 270,000 km or 167,000 miles, and 21 years, is getting well along for a car and/or a transmission. Million-mile vehicles will have had all regular service and many many repairs. If you have not changed fluid in that time, there may be "gunk" (technical term) in the pan which when disturbed may find its way into the small passages in the valve body, causing trouble. This would suggest to the transmission specialist that if he goes in, does whatever, and the trans doesn't work, he will be blamed for causing the problems. Also, cost of a proper transmission service starts at over USD 1,000 and may well be more. Can you afford that on a car that old, or put another way, is the car sufficiently valuable that it deserves a $1000 to $3000 in repair? Not unless you do your own work and source your parts used!
You appear to be saying the car went into limp mode but "cured itself". I though once in limp you were stuck there. It might help if you post the trans failure codes, but I somehow doubt the dealer will provide those to you unless they are noted on the last work order.
That said, 270,000 km or 167,000 miles, and 21 years, is getting well along for a car and/or a transmission. Million-mile vehicles will have had all regular service and many many repairs. If you have not changed fluid in that time, there may be "gunk" (technical term) in the pan which when disturbed may find its way into the small passages in the valve body, causing trouble. This would suggest to the transmission specialist that if he goes in, does whatever, and the trans doesn't work, he will be blamed for causing the problems. Also, cost of a proper transmission service starts at over USD 1,000 and may well be more. Can you afford that on a car that old, or put another way, is the car sufficiently valuable that it deserves a $1000 to $3000 in repair? Not unless you do your own work and source your parts used!
