'98 ML320 Transmission Troubleshooting - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kwmccauley · #1 08-21-2009, 12:09 PM

Well, the ’98 ML320 is giving me trouble now @ 217k miles. Yesterday it suddenly and without warning started acting up. From a complete stop and in DRIVE, it takes more throttle than usual to begin forward movement. Initial movement is not smooth and has a little bit of “bucking” going on. Once it upshifts to 2nd and beyond, operation seems normal. From the location where the trouble started yesterday, I drove it home about 25 miles at 50 MPH. Fortunately, there were no traffic lights on this route.

When coming to a full stop, there is a noticeable clunk when the downshift, presumably to 1st, occurs just prior to the complete stop. I will drain the trans and torque converter tomorrow, drop the pan and check out how the fluid, pan and filter look. This is the MB fluid and MB filter I just changed a month ago. If the fluid looks relatively clean (no metal.....I hope), is there a possibility this could be an electronic problem (bad wire harness, switch, computer controller, etc.)?

I have the MB fluid check dipstick. Fluid appears to be at specified level. When I drained it and replaced the fluid last month, the volume drained was 7.25 liters. I replaced with 7.25 liters of new fluid. The fluid and filter change was purely preventive maintenance. The were no problems at that time.. The fluid and filter was also changed at 100k miles.

This is a one owner vehicle which we bought new in May 1998.
Any suggestions/ideas and/or notes on similar experiences appreciated.
Thank you.

itb76 · #2 09-14-2009, 10:35 PM

I changed my fluid at 122.8K mi due to erratic shifting. When cold, it now shifts similarly to yours; additional throttle is needed to get it going. Will change fluid again next weekend. Car now has 195K. Once in a great while I'll hear the clunk as the trans changes down to first. I'll let you know what changes after the fluid change.

Smith007 · #3 10-21-2009, 06:07 PM

If you come across a posting with pics on the subject of changing the transmission fluid please let me or us know ML 320 2002 +/- KM186

itb76 · #4 05-09-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itb76

I changed my fluid at 122.8K mi due to erratic shifting. When cold, it now shifts similarly to yours; additional throttle is needed to get it going. Will change fluid again next weekend. Car now has 195K. Once in a great while I'll hear the clunk as the trans changes down to first. I'll let you know what changes after the fluid change.

Sorry did not update promptly as I intended. I did change the fluid at 200,839 miles, shifts just fine now. Will change at 40K intervals in the future. I believe it's good PM. I have a '98 so the torque converter can be drained also.

kwmccauley · #5 05-10-2010, 06:30 AM

Thanks for the feedback. The transmission is great now. Amazing what $4,000in new parts and labor can do. Some of the gears were shot and had let go from the planetary gear carrier. I have photos if anyone is interested. The rebuild has a 3 year, 50k mile guarantee. One added benefit is we took the opportunity to have all of the trans and transfer case seals replaced and now have a 223,000 mile '98 ML320 with zero fluid leaks.

hoalaocai2 · #6 07-13-2010, 04:52 AM

I accept with information: The rebuild has a 3 year, 50k mile guarantee. One added benefit is we took the opportunity to have all of the trans and transfer case seals replaced and now have a 223,000 mile '98 ML320 with zero fluid leaks.

aguzik · #7 06-22-2011, 12:16 AM

I have ML350 2004 and would like to check the fluid level. I ordered the stick and am wondering if the car has to be running while checking the level? If yes, does is have to be in gear or on park?

mbdoc · #8 10-22-2009, 08:19 AM

Of course that "could" be related to a stretched transfer case chain as well.

They will jump the gears & make a lot of noise. Might check that 1st.

wrongbeans · #9 05-09-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmccauley

Well, the ’98 ML320 is giving me trouble now @ 217k miles. Yesterday it suddenly and without warning started acting up. From a complete stop and in DRIVE, it takes more throttle than usual to begin forward movement. Initial movement is not smooth and has a little bit of “bucking” going on. Once it upshifts to 2nd and beyond, operation seems normal. From the location where the trouble started yesterday, I drove it home about 25 miles at 50 MPH. Fortunately, there were no traffic lights on this route.

When coming to a full stop, there is a noticeable clunk when the downshift, presumably to 1st, occurs just prior to the complete stop. I will drain the trans and torque converter tomorrow, drop the pan and check out how the fluid, pan and filter look. This is the MB fluid and MB filter I just changed a month ago. If the fluid looks relatively clean (no metal.....I hope), is there a possibility this could be an electronic problem (bad wire harness, switch, computer controller, etc.)?

I have the MB fluid check dipstick. Fluid appears to be at specified level. When I drained it and replaced the fluid last month, the volume drained was 7.25 liters. I replaced with 7.25 liters of new fluid. The fluid and filter change was purely preventive maintenance. The were no problems at that time.. The fluid and filter was also changed at 100k miles.

This is a one owner vehicle which we bought new in May 1998.
Any suggestions/ideas and/or notes on similar experiences appreciated.
Thank you.

Make sure your A/T fluid level is at "HOT" all the time. It happened to my 2000 ML320 after I changed my A/T fluid. After running a few days the fluid level will fall below the tip of the dip stick. Add more and check again a few days later. Never let fluid level fall below "HOT"! IMPORTANT!

mbdoc · #10 06-22-2011, 08:23 AM

aguzik, yes...engine running with trans in Park or neutral with park brake applied.

And welcome