Hi im rather new to this forum, Dan is the name and im from sweden.
Regarding the topic i've tried to search the forum for this case but havent found anything regarding harsh shifts when cold.

My car has run 161556 miles i think, or 260000 kilometers.

Now it has started to shift hard from 1-2 and 2-3 when the car and tranny fluid is cold. No difference if it is summer or winter outside.

Ive made a couple of fluid changes but today i made the decision to flush the tranny and change the plug connector for the electronics into the tranny.

The oil i flushed out was rather black and smelled burnt.

Made enough flushes until it came fresh red oil from the return line in front of the car next to the cooler.

But it was all for nothing cause it is still shifting so effin hard between 1-2 and 2-3 so sometimes i think im going to get whiplash from the hars shifts..

The oil i used is the Valvoline Max Life ATF that's MB 236.10 approved.
yeah and the car is an Mercedes E280CDI -2005

What should i do?
Is the only way out to change the tranny?

 

Next step would be to have someone check for fault codes using MB diagnosis system (SDS).

Most likely one or more solenoid valves (control shifts) located in valve body. Given mileage consider replacing entire valve gear alternately you can clean it and replace malfunctioning solenoids + conductor plate with speed sensors. See attachment posted by another member.

In addition, if you have not checked 13-pin plug (pilot bushing) “pictured here” http://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_Be...253/ES1728687/ do so, I suggest replacing plug for precaution even if it is not leaking - btw this is correct part # for your vehicle.

 

Now i have checked DTC myself but not with an MB diagnosis. The only code that appeared for me was one i think it was regarding "catalytic converter" or something like that, engine related however.

I did replace the 13-pin plug yesterday that's what i've tried to write in my first post, the one i called "electric plug" in my first post :-)

By valve gear do u mean valve body?
Do u think it will help me considering it smelled burnt inside the pan when i dropped it yesterday?

Sincerely

 

'Need" MB system to pull MB transmission codes for defintive answer. Yes, valve gear = valve body. If there was a large amount of metal shavings in the oil pan without visible component defects complete replacement is recommended but in your case cost effective next step "may" be to clean valve body and replace conductor plate & solenoids – again, solenoids control shifting as explained in previous attachment. Your call.

 

If the oil smells burnt I'm afraid you are in need of a rebuild.

 

how much work are we talking with a rebuild?

like all parts inside or only like valvebody?

sincerely

 

my CDI has about 100k miles. I recently did a full atf
change with Valvoline Maxlife. The car shifted great.... until the weather got colder. Cold starts, say at ~32f, the shifting is harsh 1-2 and 2-3. I think I'll be redoing the flush with shell 134.

 

Those generic DTC reader is only about 1% capable of what MB Star DAS can do. I guarantee you your car has faults stored in it that you WILL NEVER see with a generic DTC reader. The 1st time I hooked my car up to Star DAS even without "Check Engine" light being on and Star DAS showed a bunch of faults in various subsystems that's been stored. I was very surprised and impressed!

 

Need a valve body?

 

Bumping an old thread instead of making a new one, I'm starting to experience hard shifts between 1-2 and 2-3 in my 2005 E320's 722.6 transmission. Can anyone suggest a good source for the valve body? I looked on FCP Euro which is my go to site and they don't seem to carry it. Thanks!

 

Search for a Sonnax valve body rebuild kit. It'll have a spring that often breaks in the stock body after some number of miles, three valve sleeves with rubber o-rings, and a pressure regulating valve with a clip in it. Watch videos on youtube and do it yourself. Get the conductor plate and solenoids from FCPEuro for sure.