CHARLIE B

I reciently purchased a 1999 s 420 All was well until the trans would not upshift when first started in the morning if I then shut motor off an restarted all was normal but then a few days later the same thing occured but stopping and restarting did nothing .
I was told at the dealer ship because of the mileage 192,000 that the trans would have to be comepletely replaced $7,000.
I had read some posts concerning the same problem and it seems that there are alot of other things this may be.
I live in Massapequa on LI NY any info regarding this problem would greatly be appreciated,including any reputable repair shops in my area.

Thank you in advance Charlie

oldsinner111

A fluid change would be my first try.You will have to order a transmission dipstick from dealer.

CHARLIE B

Thanks for the quick reply I would hope that the dealer would have checked the fluid ? They charged me $250 for diagnosnics and told me it could be a number of thing but because of the milage I needed a new Trans I never even got to speak with a mechanic just the guy who schedules the visit. But they gave me coffee and bagels with cream cheese
even had a complimentary manicurist , and full size pool table in the waiting roon area.

oldsinner111

But they gave me coffee and bagels with cream cheese
even had a complimentary manicurist , and full size pool table in the waiting roon area.[/quote]
Maybe a Playboy Playmate next visit.hahaha

CHARLIE B

Looks like I have to find a local shop that deal with M/B . My 380 SL (knock on wood) hasn't given me any major problems , however I don't think I'll be going to the dealer for that 250 dollar breakfast again if any other SNAFUs arise . Playmates or not !

regards Charlie

140NYC

Charlie,
From what you said, you must be talking about the Mercedes Benz of Massapequa dealership. I also own a 1999 S420 and cannot stress to you enough - AVOID the service department at this dealership!
I have had NUMEROUS problems with them and almost had to file a lawsuit because of repeated negligence issues in their attempted repairs.
I went there for a valve cover gasket replacement two years ago - and after FOUR attempts by them to correct the continually leaking valve cover gasket, it finally was corrected. I asked them to clean down the engine bay on my car (to clear out the leaking oil that had sprayed from their faulty fix) and, when I picked up the car, they had stripped all the paint off of the underside of the hood cowl!
When I threatened litigation, they repainted it for free.
They have ONE good service adviser there - his name is Vincent - but the service director and a number of their technicians clearly don't know what they are doing.
I can, however, recommend a GREAT benz mechanic up in Westbury. The shop is called Ernst Foreign Car service and they are exclusively a mercedes shop. The owner, Jeff, always has about three or Four 1960's MB 600s in there that he is restoring for owners all over the country - he's a true MB expert.
The repairs are accurate, fair and priced MUCH lower than the dealership.
Just my two cents as a fellow NY S420 owner... I hope you can learn from my mistakes.
If you do decide to try Ernst, tell him Ryan sent you. Its 100% worth looking into.
R

CHARLIE B

Thanks for the heads up Ryan. Yes it is the Massapequa dealer ship i was in . Hopefully never again.Also thank you for the recomendation in Westbury.

regards Charlie

zsm722

This is normal for our cars. On cold start in the morning there is a delay in upshift, but as the engine warms (<10 min later)it will shift correctly. If I understand you correctly, this is what occurs right?

-Z

CHARLIE B

At first Iwould have to let the car warm up a bit then restart it and all was normal, but a short time later even that didn't work. It just stayed in 2nd gear then the check engine light lit up . Plugged it in the computer which indicated gear ratio problem . I have the car in a local shop at this time ,but ill have to wait til Monday to find out what the problem may be.
The mech said it may be as simple as the Trans Control Module and a re-set of the computer , needles to say my fingers are Xed