Transmission Stuck in 1st Gear
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 184
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From: New Orleans
2008 S550 AMG
Transmission Stuck in 1st Gear
This is my last ditch effort before I launch my campaign against Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.
My 2007 w221 has 54,000 miles and not a scratch on it, and it decides today to fail me at wal-mart. I was sitting there thinking, "I have the nicest car at wal-mart" but it doesn't shift out of first gear.
I got home around the corner and the dealership with all their fancy scheduling won't be able to get to my car for 4 days. The more I read the threads, I see so many owners who have suffered in some way from Transmission problems.
My 2007 w221 has 54,000 miles and not a scratch on it, and it decides today to fail me at wal-mart. I was sitting there thinking, "I have the nicest car at wal-mart" but it doesn't shift out of first gear.
I got home around the corner and the dealership with all their fancy scheduling won't be able to get to my car for 4 days. The more I read the threads, I see so many owners who have suffered in some way from Transmission problems.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
2008 S550 AMG
If you search Transmission on any of the MB Forums, you'll find that there is more material there than anything else. I have shut the car down for the entire night and the morning startup didn't resolve the problem.
I am heading to the dealership with my fingers crossed.
I am heading to the dealership with my fingers crossed.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 4
From: Columbus, Ohio
Mercedes S550
I had a similar problem and it ended up being the transmission valve body. Cost about $1500 I think. I'm not at home to check the invoice though. Let us know what it ends up being. Hopefully it's somthing simple.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Naples, FL
S550 4matic, ML350
Have you had the car since new or CPO? Still under warranty?? I think there is a transmission service at 30K or so. Was that done? Any other problems so far or just this?
I have a cpo with 60k mi on it and so far no major things and I have warranty coverage for another year...
Keep us posted!
I have a cpo with 60k mi on it and so far no major things and I have warranty coverage for another year...
Keep us posted!
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
Oh, man, I just saw your post. You're dead-on when you said there's an extreme amount of chat about the 7-speed pos. There are more threads here about trans. concerns than in a cheap suit. I have an out of warr., Designo Launch 4Matic, with now 61 K miles. Four year calendar flipped two weeks ago. No CPO nor warr. extension.
Yours rear push or awd? As to trans. fluid change. Book calls for it @39000 miles. Most all I read has to do w/ faulty valve body. A forum guy pm'd me last summer about his ordeal. I see someone did the same here. Mine hasn't gone to limp, but is really "abrupt" in moving through the gaits on down shift. Smoot gait move on acceleration, tho'. Bizarre.
There's been some chat on having the ecu of the trans flashed. But, it seems that's a "band-aid" vs. a fix. I am going to stealership next Thursday for flash and fault check.
Good luck. You deserve better. We all do.
Yours rear push or awd? As to trans. fluid change. Book calls for it @39000 miles. Most all I read has to do w/ faulty valve body. A forum guy pm'd me last summer about his ordeal. I see someone did the same here. Mine hasn't gone to limp, but is really "abrupt" in moving through the gaits on down shift. Smoot gait move on acceleration, tho'. Bizarre.
There's been some chat on having the ecu of the trans flashed. But, it seems that's a "band-aid" vs. a fix. I am going to stealership next Thursday for flash and fault check.
Good luck. You deserve better. We all do.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: riverside ca.
s550
100% SOUNDS LIKE A VALVE BODY... mine went out on my old s550 with 68 k miles while i was backing out of blockbuster... i got a mercedes bens repair shop to do it for 1600 out the door...what a pain in the neck.. one day fine and next day stuck in first...
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 184
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From: New Orleans
2008 S550 AMG
The worst is here, the transmission is gone and only at 50K. I cannot tell you how much I've put into a vehicle to only have the most expensive vehicle treat me far worse than my little 14 year old sports car that I had in college. I pays to ride big.
Mercedes Benz S550 owner.
Mercedes Benz S550 owner.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Naples, FL
S550 4matic, ML350
So, I never caught if this was under warranty or not?? Was the transmission service done early on? Are you saying the transmission is completely toast or is there an answer yet?
These things really suck but so far I am thankful I'm not back in my Range Rover... THAT was a breakdown nightmare and the tranny went at a little over 50K mi... Coupled with electrical gremlins and engine problems, it got to be $1000 bill at least every time in the shop!
Keep us posted...
These things really suck but so far I am thankful I'm not back in my Range Rover... THAT was a breakdown nightmare and the tranny went at a little over 50K mi... Coupled with electrical gremlins and engine problems, it got to be $1000 bill at least every time in the shop!
Keep us posted...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 184
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From: New Orleans
2008 S550 AMG
The Transmission warranty went out at 50k, with 54k on the dash. My extended warranty is trying to not cover it because this was a known issue with the car at the time of purchase. Those are just the details.
The biggest point is that while at the dealership feeling depressed because the SA was telling me that my baby wasn't going to make it, some other guy was in there with the same milage and the same situation. He was all the way butt out because he had no extended warranty and no chance for help.
Are you seriously telling me that Mercedes Benz's flagship is this problematic? Well this isn't my first go round with luxury cars, but this is my worst go round with luxury cars.
They've offered a refurbished transmission for $5590 which I can afford, but to pay that and plan on keeping the car is retarded knowing full well that it has failed me at it's best.
The biggest point is that while at the dealership feeling depressed because the SA was telling me that my baby wasn't going to make it, some other guy was in there with the same milage and the same situation. He was all the way butt out because he had no extended warranty and no chance for help.
Are you seriously telling me that Mercedes Benz's flagship is this problematic? Well this isn't my first go round with luxury cars, but this is my worst go round with luxury cars.
They've offered a refurbished transmission for $5590 which I can afford, but to pay that and plan on keeping the car is retarded knowing full well that it has failed me at it's best.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 193
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From: Naples, FL
S550 4matic, ML350
Wait, did you buy the car with a known problem or was it the extended warranty that you just purchased?? Did they give you an indication of what specifically went wrong with it? Any insight as to how it happened? Did it have all its services on time since new? Did you buy it new? I'm only asking cause mine is at a similar milage and so far ok, but want to do everything possible to keep it that way...Over the life of the car is this the only major issue?
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 183
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From: Portland, OR
S550 , S430
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 4
This is what I found on the web. The question is has the problem happened to cars built after June 2010.
DTB S-B-27.19/118a
JUN10 – MY-All,
Transmission 722.9 in Models 164, 171, 203, 204, 207, 209, 211, 212, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, 230, 251, 463 ordering notes for Electrohydraulic Control Unit
221 – Control unit 2202701406 replaced by 2202701306 replaced by current 2202702706
__________________________________________________ _____________
DTB S-B-27.19/118a
JUN10 – MY-All,
Transmission 722.9 in Models 164, 171, 203, 204, 207, 209, 211, 212, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, 230, 251, 463 ordering notes for Electrohydraulic Control Unit
221 – Control unit 2202701406 replaced by 2202701306 replaced by current 2202702706
__________________________________________________ _____________
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
MB S w211
i registered only because i wanted to ask you guys about transmission problems.
I have 4matic,bought new MY07 and transmission is dying.
It was 5 weeks in shop and they couldnt find any flaw.They upgraded to newest software and still has problems.
Its stuck in neutral.
So do i tell in service that they should replace valve body?Will this fix problem with the car which is stuck in N?
I have 4matic,bought new MY07 and transmission is dying.
It was 5 weeks in shop and they couldnt find any flaw.They upgraded to newest software and still has problems.
Its stuck in neutral.
So do i tell in service that they should replace valve body?Will this fix problem with the car which is stuck in N?
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Naples, FL
S550 4matic, ML350
Is the car at the dealer or an independant shop? 5 weeks!? Eeek! Is the control stalk ok? No errors on the computer? Was this a gradual progression or a sudden occurance? How many miles? Was the transmission service doone at 30K mi? Give us all the details and the things they ruled out over the 5 week stay...
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
MB S w211
Is the car at the dealer or an independant shop? 5 weeks!? Eeek! Is the control stalk ok? No errors on the computer? Was this a gradual progression or a sudden occurance? How many miles? Was the transmission service doone at 30K mi? Give us all the details and the things they ruled out over the 5 week stay...
Ive read that i need to change valve body and control unit.Do i need change all these or it will be fine if i change only valve body?How much does control unit cost?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
2008 S550 AMG
Get that bad Transmission out of your car, if you plan on keeping it; then you have no choice. Anytime you speak of Engine or Transmission failure, the vehicle trade-in value goes to spit.
You are at a crossroad, because if they document your troubles then you're immediately upside down. Hopefully the valve body work is what is needed at $1500. Cause a refurbished tranny is $6k
You are at a crossroad, because if they document your troubles then you're immediately upside down. Hopefully the valve body work is what is needed at $1500. Cause a refurbished tranny is $6k
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Corolla
Re:
Book calls for it @39000 miles. Most all I read has to do w/ faulty valve body. A forum guy pm'd me last summer about his ordeal. I see someone did the same here. Mine hasn't gone to limp, but is really "abrupt" in moving through the gaits on down shift. I am thankful I'm not back in my Range Rover... THAT was a breakdown nightmare and the tranny went at a little over 50K mi... Coupled with electrical gremlins and engine problems.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
You mentioned "abruptness" or distinctly feeling the down shift, as it moves thru the gaits to lower gears.
My 2007 4MATIC has 60 k miles, trans. Fluid & filter have been changed. Gait changes upshifting are smooth and clean. But, at about 40 mph and down, the changes feel very simillar to the distinct "feel" you get when down shifting a manual transmission, without any engine involvement.
My question is abruptness a clear indicator the "valve body" is bad and it's only a matter of when, not if, there's trans. failure?
I took to MB dealer. Mentioned DTB S-B-27.19/118a, which was posted on this thread. Got a deer in headlights stare. Tech did diagnostic. "All shifts from four on down are well within the numerical parameters called for by MB. Your transmission is fine."
Advice and/or opinions requested. Thanks.
My 2007 4MATIC has 60 k miles, trans. Fluid & filter have been changed. Gait changes upshifting are smooth and clean. But, at about 40 mph and down, the changes feel very simillar to the distinct "feel" you get when down shifting a manual transmission, without any engine involvement.
My question is abruptness a clear indicator the "valve body" is bad and it's only a matter of when, not if, there's trans. failure?
I took to MB dealer. Mentioned DTB S-B-27.19/118a, which was posted on this thread. Got a deer in headlights stare. Tech did diagnostic. "All shifts from four on down are well within the numerical parameters called for by MB. Your transmission is fine."
Advice and/or opinions requested. Thanks.
Last edited by Em Bee Lover; Mar 14, 2011 at 11:33 PM. Reason: Clarity of statement
