Author Topic: Automatic transmission problem  (Read 3438 times)

badali

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, Pa, Butler
  • Posts: 1067
  • 1966 230SL
Automatic transmission problem
« on: April 13, 2019, 12:29:03 »
I started my 230Sl for the first time this year and took it for a short ride.  It drove fine as I left the house.  I was stopped at a traffic light in town for about a minute and when I took off the engine Revd and the car barely moved.  After it got moving it drove normal again.  Stopped and started fine at stop signs.  At another traffic light it did the same thing after about a minute at the light.  It drove fine the rest of the drive.  The fluid level is about 1mm below the full mark.  Am I in need of more than a filter change?  Is this the start of some major overhaul?  There is 68920 miles on the car.  I have put over 12000 mostly trouble free miles on the car since I bought it.
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

Mike Hughes

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, VA, Blue Grass
  • Posts: 1750
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2019, 14:28:24 »
Just on general principal, top up the fluid level.  Be careful not to overfill:  Overfilling is just as bad as underfilling!  Transmission fluid levels are checked "hot," which doesn't necessarily mean that you have to drive the car a while before checking the level.  The transmission pump circulates fluid through the transmission cooler in the radiator so idling the engine for a while will get the fluid hot enough to check.  You can use that time to check for evidence of leaks under the car.

Before adding, check the level again with the car parked on a flat surface.  Take a moment to smell the wet dipstick:  It should not have a strong heavy "grapefruit juice" odor.  Next, wipe the dipstick on a clean white paper towel:  It should be redish not brownish.  Then carefully top up the fluid level, again taking care not to overfill, and road test the car to verify if the symptoms you experienced were simply due to the low fluid level.

If you do not experience the symptoms you now have an inexpensive decision to make:  "Do I do a maintenance service (fluid, filter, pan gasket) on the transmission?"  If the fluid was brownish or smelled strongly of grapefruit juice, just do it.  If it looked and smelled much like what came out of the container, but it has been a while (time OR mileage, or both) since the last transmission service, just do it.  If a transmission service was performed recently, perhaps the person performing the service just didn't fill it completely or you have a leak.  I have made it a point over the years to always check all fluid levels upon picking any of my cars up from service and have brought low dipsticks to their attention more than once!

IF, when dropping the pan significant debris is discovered in the pan you have a more expensive decision to make and I would take advice from experienced members like Joe (JA17), Dan (Benz Dr.) or Colin (stickandrudderman) on next steps.

« Last Edit: April 13, 2019, 14:43:49 by Mike Hughes »
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

badali

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, Pa, Butler
  • Posts: 1067
  • 1966 230SL
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2019, 15:15:20 »
I did check it when hot after driving.  The fluid is clean and red.  I have changed the fluid a few times.  I guess I should drop the pan next and see if there is any metal or unreasonable amount of particles...
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

Mike Hughes

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, VA, Blue Grass
  • Posts: 1750
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2019, 20:24:31 »
Good.  Top it up first and see how it drives before dropping the pan.
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7414
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2019, 05:33:26 »
Sounds like your transmission solenoid linkage is not moving. It should increase the modulator pressure so the transmission does not slip when you accelerate.
Check all the fuses, especially #5. Twist it just to make sure it is making good contact. Check to make sure the linkage going to the three position solenoid, on the side of the transmission is not stuck and moves with throttle changes.
 At rest and at idle the transmission linkage should be rearward creating low modulator pressure. When the accelerator is increased above idle, the linkage moves to the run (middle position)  and increases modulator pressure so the transmission won't slip under the increase in load. When the accelerator is depressed all the way and the "kick-down" button on the floor is pressed, the solenoid will move the transmission linkage all the way forward increasing modulator pressure to max. You can remove the access cover under the tunnel carpet on the passenger side and view the movement of the transmission linkage. The engine does not need to be running, but the ignition must be on.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

badali

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, Pa, Butler
  • Posts: 1067
  • 1966 230SL
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2019, 15:45:43 »
I drove a few miles out in the county last night and it seemed ok.  I pulled up on ramps when I got home.  I'm going to change the filter as soon as I get a chance this week.  I will check the linkage and fuses also.  It seems like the transmission acts up after driving for a while.  Maybe the filter is getting clogged...  Thanks for the help.
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

cfm65@me.com

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Posts: 739
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2019, 16:14:04 »
Hi Brad,
Are you checking the gearbox oil lever correctly? If I remember correctly, the oil should be warm as said before. Engine must be at idle. Pull the shift lever through all the positions, from park to 2 and back to P slowly. Allow the box to engage in every position and back to P. Keep the engine at idle for a minute or so before checking the gearbox oil dipstick, while the engine still running.
If you have been checking the oil without following this procedure, you will find that the gearbox is over full.
Regards
Chris
28 Ford Model A Pickup
29 Chevy Phaeton
67 E Type FHC
67 250SL 5 speed
83 911SC
2015 VW T5 California Pop Top

badali

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, Pa, Butler
  • Posts: 1067
  • 1966 230SL
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2019, 16:27:00 »
Yes I checked with it running and in park.  There has been no loss of fluid as far as I can see.  It is not over the full line.
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

cfm65@me.com

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Posts: 739
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2019, 16:31:42 »
👍👍
28 Ford Model A Pickup
29 Chevy Phaeton
67 E Type FHC
67 250SL 5 speed
83 911SC
2015 VW T5 California Pop Top

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5494
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2019, 19:02:15 »
If the issue repeats, here you have the procedure Joe was advising to go through to check if auto transmission solenoid works properly (it is difficult to spot an issue if it is intermittent):

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Automatic/Start#SmoothShifting

Please bear in mind you have to have some voltage there, say, at least 11V, so that the solenoid moves. Therefore sometimes you have to have engine on at idle. You may want to repeat the exercise several times to spot potential malfunction.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

badali

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, Pa, Butler
  • Posts: 1067
  • 1966 230SL
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2019, 20:27:55 »
Thanks,  I'll print it then use it while looking at it later this week.
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

badali

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, Pa, Butler
  • Posts: 1067
  • 1966 230SL
Re: Automatic transmission problem
« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2019, 12:52:00 »
I twisted all the fuses and tested the solenoids and they click at the correct accelerator position.  I took the car for a few short rides and it seem to shift normally.  I still need to change the transmission filter.  I'm have trouble getting under the car to do this...  Need access to a lift...
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic