1999 Mercedes E320 wont upshift

Question

Car belongs to my uncles friend. The car wont shift beyond 2 gear(automatic) CEL is on. A mechanic they took the car to said they would have to replace a gasket($2000) to get the transmission working or overhaul ($4000) the whole thing. I think they said something like the computer knows somethings wrong in the transmission so it stops the tranny from going beyond 2nd gear. Should he just get the gasket replaced or get the whole thing overhauled? He also mentioned that he stopped driving the car because of this problem for 3 months and when he drove it again it up shifted. It wasn't until a few more miles that the problem came back.

Answer 1

I would say leave the car sit.  Clean it up, take it to a dealer and trade it in before it gets hot and can't up shift.  The fix will be a lot cheaper when they do it to sell it.

Answer 2

You should take it to the dealer for a diagnosis,,,,,,it's not unusual for that trans (722.6) to have a bad "electrics plate" inside the transmission. It costs about $180. plus fluid and labor to replace. It could have a bad transmission control module, and a new one has to be ordered from Germany. The dealer will give you the correct diagnosis the first time.

The "mechanic" that you talk about sounds a bit shady. The way they usually operate is to "replace a gasket" for $2,000., then when it still isn't working right they charge you another $4,000. for an "overhaul." That's where they buy a junkyard unit for about $1,000. and charge you $4,000.

Take it to the dealer.