94 sl320 Transmission hesitation/stick Anyone?

[Mal]

Just got a 94sl320. Trans fluid looks great but when im driving it shifts hard and sometimes sounds like its waiting too long to shift. Also, just once, it wouldnt shift from 2nd at all until I kinda played with the accelerator going fast and then slow and so on.

Sometimes it seems very smooth. Other times it does what I said. I havent changed the trans fluid/filter.

Think that will help and how much?

[tecqboy]

When the engine is cold, upshifts are delayed until a higher than usual rpm is reached. This is done so as to warm up the catalytic converter faster. If it shifts poorly when the engine's warm, then you may want to seek out a professional's opinion.

[LeaUK]

If the long shifts appear under normal conditions, bands 1,2 and 3 may need adjustment. I have the detailed procedures should you require, but it looks like a job for a professional - although not dealer specific once you have the info

Also, harsh shifts into D and R can be related to coolant finding its way into the transmission fluid - it turns slightly yellow, so make sure it looks 'normal'. Mine was pink when I replaced, not sure if this is common across all trans fluids?


Lea

[Mal]

Yea it could be a temperature problem because sometimes it seems to run very smooth. Ill have the fluid changed. the car sat for about a year or so I believe.

[Prof_Chop]

My 95 SL 320 also shifts hard, but only when cold. It seems to wait to shift out of 2nd gear until it warms up, which is consistent with Tecqboy's post. I have only put 1,000 miles on it since I have owned it - and this is the only problem I have noticed. I will take it in next month for the 67,500 mile service and ask the dealer what they think about this.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Prof_Chop

My 95 SL 320 also shifts hard, but only when cold. It seems to wait to shift out of 2nd gear until it warms up, which is consistent with Tecqboy's post. I have only put 1,000 miles on it since I have owned it - and this is the only problem I have noticed. I will take it in next month for the 67,500 mile service and ask the dealer what they think about this.

yea same here. but you know what. ON the positive thinking side maybe its just a performance transmission, you know like a stiff clutch on a manual. The performance clutch's always are a bit rougher because their "tighter".......

well it was a worth a try. It hasnt slipped today or yesterday. Still shifts a bit rough but not too bad. Still need to change the fluid.

[Mal]

ok so i think all is ok. Yea when its cold it doesnt like to shift and it still kinda shifts a bit hard but overall I think its ok.

fyi

[jfsehl]

One thing that can play a role in transmission performance is making sure the transmission filter is not clogged. The best way to do that is to drain the transmission (and torque converter too), lower the transmission pan and unscrew the old filter and install a fresh new one. Then install a proper quantity of quality transmission fluid. This is something you can do yourself IF you have some mechanical skill and the where-with-all to jack the car up and install floor stands and get under the car to do the work. You'd be surprised how a transmission filter can clog with transmssion debris over the miles and years. If your filter was clogged and you replaced it, you may well have a sweeter performing tranny. Do this BEFORE consulting a "professional". You may save lots of money.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by jfsehl

One thing that can play a role in transmission performance is making sure the transmission filter is not clogged. The best way to do that is to drain the transmission (and torque converter too), lower the transmission pan and unscrew the old filter and install a fresh new one. Then install a proper quantity of quality transmission fluid. This is something you can do yourself IF you have some mechanical skill and the where-with-all to jack the car up and install floor stands and get under the car to do the work. You'd be surprised how a transmission filter can clog with transmssion debris over the miles and years. If your filter was clogged and you replaced it, you may well have a sweeter performing tranny. Do this BEFORE consulting a "professional". You may save lots of money.

music to my ears. I was thinking this Im glad to hear it. will do right away. Im sure it will help thanks.

[Mal]

O after posting i realized is skipped some info. I pulled the pan/filter and they were both full of metal. So took to my local shop for repair.


still not done!!!!

So I sent a letter cert mail demanding the car back getting ready to sue. If he gives it back not repaired or when it fails in two months (probly will given how long it took) Anyone know any good trans repair shops reasonable. I can ship the trans. Im in Chicago tho.

[tecqboy]

Adsit sells rebuilt units for about $2200. They are in Muncie IN. Not too far from Chicago.

http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1647&VID=

[Mal]

Originally Posted by tecqboy

Adsit sells rebuilt units for about $2200. They are in Muncie IN. Not too far from Chicago.

http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1647&VID=

Lol Yea thats what I was thinking. Their pretty nice and honest. I wish I could find somewhere just a bit cheaper. Of course I have to pay to have someone to put it in.

[iwrock]

I have a local trannie shop here. I only will trust them, as I have been screwed over more than once by other trannie shops. They do good work, and they have done 3 of my trannies in my Mercedes. I do think that a month is a bit too long to fix a trannie. It took my local place just about 3 weeks to do a complete rebuild on my 190E. I think that they are pretty much the same trannie, so I would venture to say that you should actually start the legal process now.

And as for the price. I paid just about 2000$ to get the trannie on my 190E rebuilt. I would call and just start moaning and groaning to the manager of the shop to get the ball rollin. You should not have to wait this long to get your car fixed. I mean 6 months for a trannie rebuild is a LONG time.

[tecqboy]

The higher rebuild cost for this xmission seems to be because it is a 5 speed. The 4 speed in an SL500 is considerably less costly to rebuild. I didn't know how to use the 1st gear start in my SL300 for the first year I owned it and rarely use it anyhow.
I would think that the shop where your transmission work is being done could tell you what stage the rebuild process is in. No? Are they waiting for parts?

[iwrock]

Wait. I thought that in 1996 Mercedes started to use the 5 Speed. My 1996 SL600 has the 5 speed trannie in it. We looked at a 1994 SL320, and it had a 4 Speed Autobox in it. I am pretty sure that they started to use the 5 speed in the 1996 models.