gab

my 2002 C230 with C&, 12K miles on clock

at complete stop, when i depressed the clutch, I cannot enage into 1st gear as if it was blocked, I must wait a second or two before I can "easily" slide the shifter into first.

So at the stop light, if I want to start the car immediately I must go to other gears like the 3rd before I can engage 1st gear with ease.

anyone else has this problem?? should I go to the dealer?

AndrewK

I had this problem and I think the dealer took some tranny fluid out, and the shifter afterward was much looser and engaged easier.

adamrs80

I have the same problem all the time but I didn't know there was anything that could be done to fix it. I'm always putting the car in 3rd first at a stoplight because I know if I don't I'll have to push really hard to get it in 1st gear. So all they have to do is remove a little tranny fluid and this eases the problem?

dode

I've had my tranny checked by the dealer twice. Both times I complained it was worse than my last 5 manual transmission cars, all German. They said it checks out fine.

So, I always move the shifter toward second before I engage first.

MarkL

Doesn't sound normal -- I don't have that issue w/ my 2002 C240 6-spd... sounds like a car I used to have that behaved that way going into reverse. Had to shift into something else first... You mentioned you have 12K miles, has it done this since day one?

20FHK02

I had the same problem before from day one. The shift was like locked and so I couldn't shift at all even using brutal force! The work around was to leave it in neutral and give a little gas and then shift. It would shift easily this way.

Finally I got sick of it and I mentioned this during the Service B, the teach that checked the car was very thorough and serious. He confirmed the problem and tried a lot of things. He then bled the tranny fluid according to the TSB and this alleviates the shifting problem now. I cannot say it shifts well, but better than before.

If you plan to have your car checked at Smythe I can give you a contact and the tech's name.

adamrs80

Could somebody explain why draining out a little fluid helps the manual transmission shift easier. I'm not saying I don't believe it, I just want to know why for my own information.

20FHK02

I'm not sure either, but this method does help.

Iceman's C230

Well my c230 is in the service for a new alternator and they are also checking my 1st gear. I will post what they say about it when i get it back on tuesday. There was no problems with 1st gear on my car till i got it back from service after a head gasket replacement. Now no 1st gear. go figure.

gab

they top off the transmission fluid for you?

20FHK02

I would say take the car to the dealer and have them try it out. It costs you nothing.