C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

C36 - gearbox / transmission failure on 3rd to 4th gear

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Old 03-03-2014, 09:18 PM
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C36 - AMG - 1996 - Black (040)
Question C36 - gearbox / transmission failure on 3rd to 4th gear

Hi folks.

I'm right now, moving to another state in Brazil and decided to go driving my C36 MG 1996 (my car is fully loaded with my stuff...)

So, the "fault" in changing gears began to appear after riding about 250 miles, not realizing the shift to fourth gear for a long time on the road ( 10 minutes) ..
After that, I decided to slow down drastically , because I thought it could be problem of overheating the transmission fluid as I was going on an average 80 to 90 miles per hour.

It simply started functioning normally ... shifting gears normally...

I stopped at the gas station to refuel and grab a coffee , and decided to check the level and color of the transmission oil since I had replaced with DEXRON III , plus the filter , and did not notice anything different or special (red fluid without mixing with water).

Can anyone help me or suggest what it might be?

Intend to follow journey tomorrow, but I fear that it may get worse or stop once along the way ...

best regards to everyone..

I hope the help of someone with more experience in this type of problem....
Old 03-04-2014, 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by pedroalexrj
Hi folks.

I'm right now, moving to another state in Brazil and decided to go driving my C36 MG 1996 (my car is fully loaded with my stuff...)

So, the "fault" in changing gears began to appear after riding about 250 miles, not realizing the shift to fourth gear for a long time on the road ( 10 minutes) ..
After that, I decided to slow down drastically , because I thought it could be problem of overheating the transmission fluid as I was going on an average 80 to 90 miles per hour.

It simply started functioning normally ... shifting gears normally...

I stopped at the gas station to refuel and grab a coffee , and decided to check the level and color of the transmission oil since I had replaced with DEXRON III , plus the filter , and did not notice anything different or special (red fluid without mixing with water).

Can anyone help me or suggest what it might be?

Intend to follow journey tomorrow, but I fear that it may get worse or stop once along the way ...

best regards to everyone..

I hope the help of someone with more experience in this type of problem....
How long after the transmission fluid change did this issue manifest itself? Is it the original trans and how many miles does it have?

I would not drive any further like that.
Old 03-04-2014, 02:46 PM
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C36 - AMG - 1996 - Black (040)
My C36 has 66k miles...and it runs normally in the city...no problem at all...
I changed the transmission fluid last year, maybe in the middle of August...and I got a better fluid than the old one (DEXRON II)...I mean, DEXRON III...
My tranny is original...with no problems at all..since this episode...
But, I've checked today, by the morning (car still "cold")...and the fluid LEVEL IS HIGHLY ABOVE the maximum level mark...and I think this overflow fluid is causing thia failure...
is it possible to be this problem?
Maybe tomorow I'll drain all the fluid and get new one (DEXRON III) but i'll try to put less than it was before...
Do you think it's gonna solve it?
I take a ride today...like 20miles...and nothing appears to be wrong...all 4(four) gears had changed normally...
Awaiting for some tips or clues about it...
best regards..
Old 03-04-2014, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by pedroalexrj
My C36 has 66k miles...and it runs normally in the city...no problem at all...
I changed the transmission fluid last year, maybe in the middle of August...and I got a better fluid than the old one (DEXRON II)...I mean, DEXRON III...
My tranny is original...with no problems at all..since this episode...
But, I've checked today, by the morning (car still "cold")...and the fluid LEVEL IS HIGHLY ABOVE the maximum level mark...and I think this overflow fluid is causing thia failure...
is it possible to be this problem?
Maybe tomorow I'll drain all the fluid and get new one (DEXRON III) but i'll try to put less than it was before...
Do you think it's gonna solve it?
I take a ride today...like 20miles...and nothing appears to be wrong...all 4(four) gears had changed normally...
Awaiting for some tips or clues about it...
best regards..
Oh yes, definitely drain off the residual fluid!! The 95-96's have a very robust trans, and your mileage is super low too! This is definitely the 1st place to start. GL!

Last edited by RPB; 03-04-2014 at 06:25 PM.
Old 03-04-2014, 06:37 PM
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C36 - AMG - 1996 - Black (040)
Thumbs up

Do you know how much it's gonna be to full up the tranny?
In liters or gallons?
Thanks a lot again...
Old 03-04-2014, 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by pedroalexrj
Do you know how much it's gonna be to full up the tranny?
In liters or gallons?
Thanks a lot again...
Sorry buddy I do not, but any dealership will confirm this or maybe someone else can chime in. Also check the owners manual for this info. GL!

You must have one of the only C36's in Brazil, please post some pics.

Last edited by RPB; 03-07-2014 at 09:48 PM.
Old 03-05-2014, 04:41 AM
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C36 - AMG - 1996 - Black (040)
Okay...I'll get some nice pics to post over here...
I think over here in Brazil we have like 7 or maximum 10 samples of C36...
Mine, is a little bit different from the most of them, because it is US-SPECS, but Mercedes Benz sells just European versions over here...
Mine was imported independent...so...but she is a beauty...
So, let's hit the road to get there ASAP...
best regards
Old 11-18-2014, 03:13 AM
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W164 ML55 with off-road
C36 overheat

Hi
Took the c36 too the track on the weekend and boiled the break fluid.
The gearbox stopped going into drive staying in 3rd.When it cooled down it returned to normal. I also measured in the after market fluid.Now I have checked the level with a dip stick at 80deg. All ok ??
Phil in melbourne Australia
Old 11-18-2014, 03:16 AM
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W164 ML55 with off-road
C36 gearbox overheat

Sorry I mean brake fluid and the transmission overheated.
Both returned to normal after 30ins.
Phil...
Old 11-18-2014, 06:40 AM
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C36 - AMG - 1996 - Black (040)
Originally Posted by RPB
Sorry buddy I do not, but any dealership will confirm this or maybe someone else can chime in. Also check the owners manual for this info. GL!

You must have one of the only C36's in Brazil, please post some pics.
Here are some pics of her...
hope to see more C36 over here...
see U...




































Old 11-18-2014, 06:43 AM
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C36 - AMG - 1996 - Black (040)
Originally Posted by FANOFAMG
Sorry I mean brake fluid and the transmission overheated.
Both returned to normal after 30ins.
Phil...
I think this overheating problem causes my failure too...I mean, in that occasion that I've mencioned before...

We are lucky that the C36 tranny are robust, and doesn't appear to be bad at all...

See U around.
Old 11-19-2014, 05:43 AM
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W164 ML55 with off-road
Brazil C36

Hi
I am looking at your C36 and I was wondering if there is any paperwork or a Mercedes name plate that says that your car is an original C36.
looks so different to mine inside.
regards Phil
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Old 11-19-2014, 07:50 AM
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C36 - AMG - 1996 - Black (040)
Originally Posted by FANOFAMG
Hi
I am looking at your C36 and I was wondering if there is any paperwork or a Mercedes name plate that says that your car is an original C36.
looks so different to mine inside.
regards Phil
Yes...it's an original C36, imported from USA in 1996...
Maybe there are some mods on it, like (LED's tail lights, OEM AMG rims (different from original )monoblocks, gearshift knob)

But, she is a beauty...and it's with 50K miles on it...

Which part did you notice that is different?

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