Hi everyone,

New to the forum and one fed up MB owner! Purchased a c180 BE auto in 2011 new, and have had issues with this vehicle since day one. First it was the tyre pressure indicator which MB could not sort out and after a year it seemed to sort itself out.
We have had a much more severe issue though, after about +/- 3000km the car started to vibrate slightly between gears. Almost like it lost drive for a few seconds and would just vibrate and then take off again. The car was sent in and they could find no fault, when it does this there are no warning lights or anything out of the ordinary besides the vibration.
The car was in numerous times and never any fault could be found, then a few months ago my wife lost drive completely and the vehicle would just rev to 7000rpm while in drive. Mercedes Benz assist attended the vehicle and as soon as they got there everything was fine again. The collected the vehicle a few days later and did a engine and gearbox software upgrade. Got the car back and three days later vibration again, Mercedes checked vehicle again and informed that it could be the torque converter locking up. This was replaced under warranty and the vehicle returned to us two weeks ago. Then two days ago lost drive again, just revving above 4000rpm when in drive. I am so tired of this issue and pissed off with MB in South Africa as no-one can pin point the problem.
Really pathetic for a vehicle that has now just touched 17000km. Anyone one else on here had any similar problems and if so how was it solved??

Thanks
Jono

 

Jono,

Persistance . Keep at the dealer. After all this time with the problem it maybe time to ask for a complete new ATM.

Do you have the option of visiting another dealer?. Their workshop may be cleverer.

Contact MB SA consumer affairs directly asap & ask for for a complete changeout.

Glyn who is from SA will help..

Good luck.

 

Thanks Carsy, Will try my luck! Car has been to a few dealerships but no joy. It just sometimes feels like you have to beg them for info, wonder if they hiding something??

 

Got an update finally today although not much info. Apparently some big wigs are at the dealership to have a look at the vehicle........not expecting much, probably another guessing game! Will have to wait and see what they have to say but have raised the issue that a new gearbox may solve the issue but will have to wait and see. Knowing MBSA they will try an excuse not to and leave with a problem for another year before they finally identify it......same old, same old!

 

2011, I'm assuming that it's the 722.9 7G tronic trannny? I assume when they replaced your TC they replaced the tranny fluid? You should ask if there were any finding's at the time of fluid replacement.

 

Yeah, it is the 722.9 7G, they did not find anything in fluid or much wrong with torque converter....Whole saga is becoming a nightmare. Waiting to see what their next plan of action will be. I still think it is something electronic that is faulty as if it were mechanical I would expect it would be more often that you would feel it. The car can drive for two to three weeks with no problem and then all of a sudden vibration or loss of drive occurs..
Will have to wait and see what the big wigs come up with!

 

They haven't replaced the tranny right? Maybe it's the control module in the transmission that's given out though you've only got 17k which is far too soon for that part to need replacing though anything is possible. I'm not sure if Benz has a separate ECU for the tranny but if they do maybe they can try replacing that for a new one, for all you know the hardware might all be fine, just the software is out of whack.

Also, if it really can drive fine for 2-3 weeks before the problem develops, maybe you can try the TCU throttle reset every 2 weeks and see if the problem still persists.

 

They have done software upgrades numerous times but no changes. They have now advised that they will be changing the control module again, and then test vehicle. If still occurs a new transmission will be installed. Just informed them I expect and extended warranty after all this saga....