cthirtysizzle

Hi friends. So... I was driving home from work just now and while I was slowing down to a full stop my car seemed to lock into gear. I didn't know what to do so I put it in park, turned it off, restarted, threw it back in drive and still no movement when I eased off the brakes. So when the light turned green I hit the gas and it jerked around pretty rough and finally got back in gear, but something is definitely wrong. I noticed my car was driving a little sluggish and seemed to lose power a few days ago after I Sea Foamed it. I only used half a bottle in the gas tank and poured it in after I filled my tank, but I never got any smoke or really noticed any other changes or improvements in my drive at all. Can anyone help me figure out what's wrong?
Thanks in advance.

503C43 ////AMG

Scary..... check all the majors (plugs,wires,MAF) hopefully its not your tranny.... how many miles do you have on your car?

cthirtysizzle

128k. Never had any problems like this ever. Always shifted smooth and ran strong. I know there's prob. a diy thread or five on checking plugs, wires, and everything else on here, so I'll see what I can find.

C43AMG

When was the last time the tranny was serviced ?

Saaboteur

Brake switch?

http://www.marcusfitzhugh.com/CLK/DIY/brakeswitch.html

cthirtysizzle

Transmission was serviced a about 20-30k miles ago. Just dropped car off at mechanic. We drove it around the block and of course could not duplicate the problem, but he also didn't notice any power loss... then again he doesn't drive my car every day. Car definitely feels sluggish to me and engine is definitely making a different noise, almost like a grumble... I'm assuming this probably isn't Sea Foam related haha.

cthirtysizzle

Verdict: transmission planetary gear set coming apart.

503C43 ////AMG

I feel like I jinxed you ..... I am sorry to hear it is your tranny as I can only imagine you will have to sell your soul to get it replaced. Good luck and I hope you get it fixed soon and relatively cheap.

503C43 ////AMG

I didn't even see this post!!! Yesterday I was driving and I look down to see my ABS/BAS/ESP light on my dash!!!!! I pulled over and shut my car off, I waited a couple minutes and started it back up and all the lights were gone. I haven't seen it do this before or since but it appears that I may have a faulty brake switch according to the link. What a relief..... when I saw those lights all I could see was $$$$$$$ being taken from me and being deposited into my mechanics account. Thanks to MarcusF it looks like it will be about $20 and 20 minutes..... WHEWWWWWW!!!!

THANKS MARCUS for the detailed write up

KJI3jflarryfe93

hey bro.
I'm gonna give you an advice you can't refuse!
we all fear expensive bills!
best thing to do is selling your car and get a ricer!
cheap cars most of the time.

it's a biage owning an AMG when it breakes down but that's the beauty of owning these cars!
Pricey bills down the drain.

Btw I found the stiff trunkmat for ya.
it's in europe!
costs about 115 euros maybe less!

503C43 ////AMG

Is it a trunk floor or a trunk mat? do you have a link????

KJI3jflarryfe93

you were missing the stiff mat that sits ontop of the spare!
it's like the stiff hardfleece mat!
same **** like floor mat
right?

503C43 ////AMG

Yes it is the stiff part that you would lift up to get to your spare.... If you were to put groceries or some sub woofers in the trunk this is the part they would sit on. Not sure what you mean by the floor mat?

KJI3jflarryfe93

we are talking about the same gray fleece mat that's stiff and covers your spare!
you lift this mat in the front by a small squared black handle

i'll look it up for you hold on

KJI3jflarryfe93

here it goes chappy
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-C-CLA...item3f00db5dd0

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-C-CLA...item1c10ab1b5d

these were pretty cheap!
10 pounds and 35 pounds

now you owe me a dinner popcorn and a movie!
but i warn you i don't put out on first date!

503C43 ////AMG

UNREAL... I can't find 1 to save my life and BOOOOOOOOOM you find 2 in minutes...... Thanks I am going to check out how much shipping would be.

503C43 ////AMG

Of course..... the one I want only ships to the UK

KJI3jflarryfe93

i posted to your original thread dude says he ships worldwide!

my apologies to the threadstarter i hijacked the thread for something else!

cthirtysizzle

you didn't jinx me... so here's the estimate:
1. replace with factory conditioned transmission - $5350
2. have it rebuilt at shop recommended by my mechanic - $3999
3. or go to my friend's (mbz tech) recommended mercedes transmission rebuild shop: $2600installed.

I ended up having it towed to the Mercedes Transmission Rebuild shop and the guys shop looks amazing. Immaculate, fresh rebuilt transmissions everywhere on the shelves, all diagnostics were run on my car. He also reset my ecu through. I actually feel really good about my car in this guys hands. Seems to know a lot about our cars inside and out. I'll update once I get my car back...

MarcusF

If that rebuild shop is Sun Valley, you're in good hands. They've been making Benz owners happy for decades.

503C43 ////AMG

I figured it would be an arm and a leg, as far as taking it to the shop you took it to I would of done the same thing... Even if it lasts half as long as the factory conditioned, which I'm sure it will last longer, it is HALF the price. You should see if he can link you up with the tip tronic while you are at it

cthirtysizzle

got my baby back today. rebuilt tranny, few leaks fixed, air filters cleaned, reset ecu...
drives like a beast!!! my car's never felt so light and fast!!

and the guy who rebuilt my transmission gave me a 200k mile warranty on his work and seems to know everything about our cars. he even went through all the 'recommended service' my other shop told me I had to do and almost everything they recommended was bogus. bushings that were brand new (other shop said needed to be replaced, etc...). looks like I'll be keeping my ride for a while. : )

if anyone in l.a. needs a good, honest, mechanic that knows everything about our cars, does quick work (that he stands behind) and charges less than most shops out here, feel free to pm me.

svt ricco

good to hear you got her back...you are worry free for another 200k miles!

503C43 ////AMG

ALWAYS nice to find an HONEST mechanic.... I'm glad you got her back up and running, have fun

DRBC43AMG

Good to hear and hang on to good mechanics when you can. They are worth the money you spend getting the car repaired or serviced. My trusty mechanic is 68 years old and still has his shop. I have been using him for years and when I pick up any of my cars coming out of his shop, I have 120% confidence that everything is running perfectly. Those guys are worth thousands of $$$$