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2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance
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Posted 1/22/2008 3:53 PM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

The issue started without much drama... in cold (sub 20) temps the trans would delay shifting into Drive and when it did it would hold the gear much much longer before shifting.

This weekend I was up near NYC and it was about 10 degrees. The truck did the same thing, but then DIDN'T shift out of (2nd I think) at all. I tried manually selecting gears (no good) and then going into Neutral. Bad mistake... the trans remained in neutral no matter where the selector was. I pulled over and killed the engine.

Restarted and easily found reverse then in Drive found I had forward movement (but it was pulling off in 2nd). I pulled into a gas station and refueled while reading the manuals... looked like the trans was in "emergency" mode. (No codes, warning lights, etc).

When I started up from the gas station, everything seemed to work as normal and then did from then on out (including a 5 hour drive home). This morning (about 20 degrees) all was normal.

I assume that an independent isn't likely to have the necessary equipment to "read" the trans but I also thought dealers wouldn't touch these Europa vehicles... what should I do?

Thanks!
Bill
#106268
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Posted 1/22/2008 4:03 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
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RE: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

wcelliot - 1/22/2008 3:53 PM


I assume that an independent isn't likely to have the necessary equipment to "read" the trans but I also thought dealers wouldn't touch these Europa vehicles... what should I do?

Thanks!
Bill


First thing I would do would be to check the fluid level. Any MB indie should have that generic dip stick.

I would also find an indie who does have the Star Diagnosis System. Some do. They can tell you if there are any codes set or pending. Some MBUSA dealers will work with you. Of the four in Atlanta, there is one who will.

How many miles on the truck? Has the fluid/filter ever been changed? If not, it's time!
#106270 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 1/22/2008 4:32 PM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

64k; no record of a change. I agree it's time... it indeed acts like low fluid would in a more conventional trans.

Bill
#106276 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 1/22/2008 4:54 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
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Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

wcelliot - 1/22/2008 4:32 PM

64k; no record of a change. I agree it's time... it indeed acts like low fluid would in a more conventional trans.

Bill


Another possibility is fluid leak around the main electrical plug/connector. Have you noticed and seeps or drips around the pan?
#106280 - in reply to #106276
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Posted 1/22/2008 8:54 PM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

Nothing significant enough to show up on the floor...

Bill
#106320 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 1/22/2008 8:59 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
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Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

wcelliot - 1/22/2008 8:54 PM

Nothing significant enough to show up on the floor...

Bill


Check around the edges of the pan. If it's wet, you probably are leaking around the main electrical connector - located just above the right front corner of the pan.

If it is leaking, there is s possibility of the fluid wicking itself up the cable, and fouling/killing the transmission ecu. However, I'd check the fluid level first, and change it asap.
#106322 - in reply to #106320
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Posted 2/1/2008 9:54 PM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

Well...

No leaks, oil level was perfect. Fluid was nice and clean.

Only trans codes set were a speed mismatch between the two speed sensors (meaning potential slippage which I've never felt) and a code from a fluid temp sensor.

So no real evidence of anything that would have (seemingly) caused the issues.

The tech doesn't even think the trans really needs a fluid service...

Thoughts?

Thanks!
Bill
#107800 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 2/2/2008 2:38 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
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Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

wcelliot - 2/1/2008 9:54 PM



The tech doesn't even think the trans really needs a fluid service...

Thoughts?

Thanks!
Bill


Regardless of what the tech thinks, it does. MB now recommends it, too.
#107847 - in reply to #107800
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Posted 2/2/2008 4:19 PM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

I was planning to do that... should I be concerned about the other fault codes or more concerned that we found nothing obvious to account for the previous misbehavior?

Thanks!
Bill
#107863 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 2/2/2008 4:40 PM
DUTCH
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Date registered: Apr 2006
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Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

wcelliot - 2/2/2008 4:19 PM

I was planning to do that... should I be concerned about the other fault codes or more concerned that we found nothing obvious to account for the previous misbehavior?

Thanks!
Bill


I would be. Something is obviously causing the codes to be thrown.
#107866 - in reply to #107863
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Posted 2/8/2008 6:53 PM
nadd
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: UAE, Dubai
Vehicle(s): G500 2016 LHD, numerous Chevys
Posts: 1285
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Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

Might be a very long shot, but try resetting the transmission's learning algorithm; it might help and doesn't look likely to do any harm:
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=8269&pos...
#108817 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 2/11/2008 8:24 AM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

Update: Fluid level was fine, but we went ahead and did a full trans service. Tech was unhappy with the way the shifter operated (one of my first posts here that it sometimes wouldn't let me pull down from Drive)... but was unable to replicate the problem. All codes clear.

This morning at 9 degrees it did it again. Delay going into Drive, sticking in what seemed like 1st rather than 2nd... so my plan was to drive it around at low speeds until stuff heated up to see what would happen.

While I was doing this I decided to try manually selecting the gears... it pulled down to 1st just fine, but going back up seemed strained (at the lever). I got it back in "D" position and it stuck there...

Using a little more force than I should have I got it to pop into "N"... but it stayed in Drive... but now suddenly the trans was shifting fine... 1st through 5th

However, the shift lever is hung there now... won't go either direction.

So I wonder what the chances are that my shift lever has been the issue all along and that somehow it's not getting firmly into gear when the weather is cold?

Does the Europa G500 share the shift lever assembly with another Mercedes? What are my chances of finding an inexpensive replacement unit?

Thanks!!
Bill
#109097 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 2/11/2008 8:50 AM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
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Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

How is the adjustment for the brake safety switch/lever?

Send me your email address by PM or email (click the button below). I have the complete adjustment procedure for that shift mechanism, but it's too large to post here.
#109099 - in reply to #109097
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Posted 2/11/2008 9:39 AM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

pm sent; thanks!
Bill
#109104 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 2/11/2008 11:28 AM
AlanMcR
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
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Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

The basic shifter is shared with many vehicles.  The W210 e-class has a very similar shifter.  That shifer has an extra W/S switch that you could just ignore.  Supposedly it isn't all that hard to take the shifter apart and clean. 
#109113 - in reply to #109097
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Posted 2/11/2008 11:47 AM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

Thanks much... from a browse of the internet, it seems that the problem is likely a mechanical one in the shifter unit itself vice being something in the valve body?

Bill
#109115 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 2/11/2008 4:12 PM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

Update: at lunch I went out and disconnected the trans shift rod from the shifter. The trans easily shifts into all 4 positions.

The shifter is still hung up, so it's definitely a problem in the shifter itself... I can force the shifter into each position but it doesn't feel right, so I think it's busted.

Now... when I killed the engine, the shifter was in Park but the Trans was still in drive.

The truck will not start with the trans physically in any of the 4 positions... where is the starter lockout? (In the workshop manual I have, the trans covered is the 4sp auto and the starter lockout is on the trans... does not appear to be the case with my G.) I assume it's somewhere in the shifter mechanism? I'd like to get the truck at least mobile while I sort the shifter issue.

Anybody have a used shifter assembly?

Thanks!!
Bill
#109164 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 2/11/2008 4:14 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
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Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

wcelliot - 2/11/2008 4:12 PM


The truck will not start with the trans physically in any of the 4 positions... where is the starter lockout?
Thanks!!
Bill


Is it not described in the pages I sent?
#109166 - in reply to #109164
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Posted 2/11/2008 4:54 PM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

Actually I haven't received anything from you... I just changed email hosts... I wonder if they have some automatic size limit that I need to turn off? email was wcelliot_yahoo at fnader dot com

But in looking through the EPC/Workshop manual only the earlier 4 sp and later MBUSA trans seem to be covered.

I just spoke to the tech that did the trans service... he gave me a quote of $1400 for the shifter assembly (he had looked it up when he had the truck in there thinking it may be a problem)... but didn't have the part number handy. I haven't been able to figure out how to use the EPC well enough to find the assembly part number (just the individual components) to do some price checking. Do any of you have the part number?

Similar shifters (also on the 722.6 trans) seem to run under $500...

Thanks!!

Bill
#109173 - in reply to #106268
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Posted 2/11/2008 4:56 PM
wcelliot

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: 2000 G500 Trans issues... need guidance

Sorry Dutch... just found it in a "junk" folder I didn't know existed on the new host... sorry... I'll go review.

Bill

Edit: Thanks Dutch.. exactly what I needed.

Would still like a shift assembly part number and/or a reasonable deal on a new or used unit... I plan to pull the old one out and apart tomorrow to see what I find...

Thanks!
Bill

Edited by wcelliot 2/11/2008 5:11 PM
#109174 - in reply to #106268
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