Transsmission Woes
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
Transsmission Woes
2003 CLK 320 Cabriolet.
We were on a trip about 70 miles from home when I step out to pass a car on a two lane road and the transmission fails to downshift when I mash the go pedal. Turns out the transmission won't shift out of top gear. Come to a standstill and it stays in top gear. We got home by shifting the transmission manually. That works fine.
Does anybody have a list of possible causes and diagnostic steps I can take with normal garage hand tools. To the best of my knowledge the transmission has never been touched, I know I haven't done anything to it in the 11 years and 70K miles we've owned it.
We were on a trip about 70 miles from home when I step out to pass a car on a two lane road and the transmission fails to downshift when I mash the go pedal. Turns out the transmission won't shift out of top gear. Come to a standstill and it stays in top gear. We got home by shifting the transmission manually. That works fine.
Does anybody have a list of possible causes and diagnostic steps I can take with normal garage hand tools. To the best of my knowledge the transmission has never been touched, I know I haven't done anything to it in the 11 years and 70K miles we've owned it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
A followup.
Maybe fixed, maybe not. I found a process on You Tube to reset the transmission. Did that, started the car and went for a brief drive and all seems well.
Time will tell.
Maybe fixed, maybe not. I found a process on You Tube to reset the transmission. Did that, started the car and went for a brief drive and all seems well.
Time will tell.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 35
Likes: 10
From: PA
Mercedes Benz S 580 e
I think you nailed the problem and the fix for it. Similarly, my '99 CLK Cab wouldn't shift out of first gear (neither automatically nor manually). A reflash/reset of the transmission cured that ill. That was five (5) years ago, not a problem with the transmission since.
GULP!
I hope I didn't just jinx myself.
GULP!
I hope I didn't just jinx myself.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
From: So. California
the issue is invaluable in troubleshooting. Hope you solved it for now!
