Long story short guy's. I have a 2002 C240 Sedan. I was doing normal driving before the holidays and it was very cold. The car had a mid range whine at start, but I thought it might be the power steering fluid being low. At any rate whine stopped when car warmed up.

Upon exit from interstate after normal driving all day, car seemed to go into limp mode,and I made it home very slowly of course. I took the car to my local mechanic and he has dropped the trans pan. He tells me that there are metal shavings in the trans fluid and someting probably broke. His suggestion: Used Trans: $3750.00 They also stated that when the car was warmed up inside, it was fairly o.k., until puled back out in the cold and once again NO GO. Fluid level was o.k. according to mechanic with MB dip stick tool.

My question is this. The car never had any isues prior and the trans had not had a fluid change since I have owned the car. Two Years. Milage is 75,000. The code that he found was Trans slippage, internal failure ?

What if anything do you guy's recommend. Could it be the front pump ? I would really like to avoid replacing the trans if I can have the issue fixed. I would hate to replace the trans and still not know the true issue that caused the failure.

HELP PLEASE !

 

Hi
I would suggest you to try the cheapest way of replacing the transmission oil and filter first.
Regards

 

I've had lots of transmission problems with our '02 C240 as well. Sounds like the same symptoms as yours. We've had three torque convertors and two transmissions, all replaced under warranty. I still don't think the problem is fixed, as it went into "limp home" mode again the other night (wouldn't shift out of first gear). The last "gift" from the dealer was $1,200.00 to replace the spark plugs and cables. Are they serious?

All in all this car has been a first class frustration. It was supposed to be the car to take us through retirement, but now we're car shopping again, this time for a Lexus.

I guess MB no longer cares about return customers, what do you think???

 

I Agree 100 %. Thanks for the response. You would think that they could build a better car. I have always been a loyal Mercedes Benz fan and owner. It seems the older the car the better built it is.
We did manage to get a code P2502 off the car and it is leaning to the ECU for the trans. I will update when we get something solid. The first shop said to just replace the trans. The second trans shop said lets see what the real problem is, so Iam leaning in that direction before replacing the entire trans. Any suggestions out there ?

 

Yes......think about a home equity line of credit (a big one) before you replace that tranny.
You'll need it.

 

What do you feel the chances are that it is in fact the Trans ECU instead of the replacing the whole transmission ? Anyything else you might check ? I would like to have as much amunition as I can before I go to bat with the mechanic.

 

I would suggest taking the vehicle to your closest MB dealership. Explain what happened in detail. Pay the 100 or so dollar diagnostic charge to have trained technicians look at the vehicle and let you know exactly what is wrong with it. Pay the 80 or so tow bill to get it there. You will not only not have to fight the bs with the mechanic, but you won't have to deal with the misleadings of the dealership. The dealership would have no reason to lie to you, and will deffinately let you know whats going on. Even if it costs more, you get what you pay for. These cars are designed well, but sometimes, no matter the carline, will have glitches. It just seems the the least fortunate sometimes recieve the most glitches. And I promise you, as an MB tech, the newer cars are becoming more reliable every year.

 

I just had my car fixed today the car would not shift into gear and some of the faults including check engine lite was on. the battery was the original they change that and it reset itself. the trans is shifting ok and all faults are ok. have them check your battery.

 

Hello,

If there were metal shavings in the pan, then the planetary is on it's way out or already gone. the pump is making the whine noise because the filter is getting stopped up with the shavings. They had a problem with one of the gear ratio setups going out. Your only option is to replace the trans or get it rebuilt. Either way you should get the updated planetary set. Hope this helps.