'00 SL500 ... Trans. starts out in 3rd gear ... ???

[Fliegermeister]

Well, it seems we have the no start problem fixed now ... A new CPS did the trick (I tested the old one with a heat gun and ohm-meter and, sure enough, it lost all continuity when hot and regained continuity when cooled with water) ....... However, I have a new problem ....... I took the car on a "shake-down cruise" today and stopped for lunch (about 1 hour) ... When I left the restaurant the transmission seemed to be starting out in 2nd-3rd gear and only shifted back to 1st when I "stood" on it ... It did the same thing at several stop lights and then, magically, started shifting correctly again and worked great all the way home (another 40 miles) ... Any thoughts ???

[david s poole]

check the fluid level,those trans are known for leaking at the conduit connector at the upper right front of the trans.you will need to get from dealer along with o rings and a special tool------a dipstick for the so called "sealed" trans.the fill pipe has a cap on it with a red button,break off the top of the red button and use driver to push remaining part through the cap.you can then remove cap and use your new "special tool" to check fluid level.you also need to buy their fluid.rob only one bank on the way,that should be enough to pay for the tool and fluid[the conduit connector is cheap because they have had lots of trouble with them].

[Fliegermeister]

Yes ... I have already attempted to check the ATF level in the so-called "sealed trans" and have already removed the cap (I used the same method you outlined) then gazed into the empty hole where the Dipstick should be , so I capped it off again and figured I must visit the Dealer to check the Tranny Fluid ...
Thanks for the info, and I will follow your suggestions ...

[Carlos Serrano]

I remember jjrodger in the SL forum having a similar problem, he took it to the dealer and it turn out to be the maf sensor, do a search in the SL forum it surprised me that the Maf controls the tranny.

[C32AMG]

You’re probably stuck in limp mode, scan all modules for codes.

[a2aa]

When on limp mode.. the exhaust gas would smell like rotten eggs and the engine sputters like someone capped off the exhaust pipe. I usually fix this problem by tightening the hose clamp holding the MAS sensor right where the airfilter housing is attached to by the trottle body housing... for some reason, after a long cold spell with it being garaged.. it will loosen and make the ASR light come on and shoot the engine into limp mode... after tightening, and a few start ups, the light will reset itself and the limpmode gone..HOpe this helps