Mercedes 316 auto judder (1 Viewer)

ojibway

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I have a problem with the automatic gearbox on my '04 Sprinter 316.

When the vehicle approaches 40mph and on through to 50mph there is a judder when I apply the gas pedal but goes away when I take my foot off. It's like its gaining/loosing power. It's especially noticable going up an incline or hill. After 50mph it goes away. There is no difference if the van is loaded or empty

I have had it looked at by a local garage that services the local community MB buses and also out local main Mercedes commercial service dept. None has heard of the problem nor could they detect anything on their box'o'trix.

I read on a Sprinter forum that a small bush in the auto gearbox is the problem and that it is cheaper to strip the gearbox than to replace it. But without identifying which or what one it is I'm not happy going to the garage and asking them to take it apart!

Have any of you 'fun guys had this problem or know of it and have a solution?

Looking forward to your comments :Sad:
 

aba

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id get the prop shaft checked first as that could cause the problems you describe
sometimes the joints partially sieze and others they wear and as it is not such a heavy item it needs momentum to vibrate the van but once above a certain speed it will centralize due to the speed of rotation.

you will probably notice a clink from under the van as the gearbox engages drive and takes up the slack in the drivetrain if this is the case.
 
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pappajohn

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first problem is the garages......they have forgotten the art of wielding a spanner.

they cant diagnose a problem without a computer telling them what's wrong.

first thing they do is stick it on a diagnostic computer and if that says there is nowt wrong, then as far as they are concerned there is nowt wrong.

try an old school mechanic.....one in greasy overalls and a proper tool box.... ie: back street garage....not one in a clean designer overall with a degree in computer technology.

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ojibway

ojibway

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Jul 17, 2012
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Hi aba and pappajohn,
a bit late getting back here - been on the road, still am!
Thanks for your responses.
I have been to a local garage. They checked the prop shaft. They also changed the auto box oil on my suggestion in case it was low on oil.
It has made no difference.
I am tempted to have the auto gearbox changed!
I am wondering if this is a one-off problem as most garages would be aware if it was a common problem.
As I said earlier, the only reference I have seen was on a US Sprinter forum.
Mike :Sad:
 

Wildman

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one other thing that gave me similar symptoms was a blown fuse in the traction control, garage found it but I forgot to ask where the fuse was located.
 
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ojibway

ojibway

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Problem SOLVED!!

Well, after putting this problem up on this forum (thanks for the replies), the forum on the 'other' side, a Sprinter forum, not to mention two visits to Mr. Mercedes Benz commercials and an independent garage -
We got our van back and the problems been solved.:thumb::thumb:

Oh,
and I may have to come out of retirement to pay for it:Eeek::Eeek:

After our last little break in France in September, we said "enuffs enuff". All this juddering through France was rattling our nerves.:cry:
Our son suggested an auto transmission specialist he'd used.:Cool:
When I talked to them and took them out in the van they seemed to know what the problem was - slippage in the clutch plates.:whatthe:
They took the transmission out and found the plates were separating.:cry:
They tested the transmission oil and found water in it which they traced to a corroded pipe in the radiator.
So, the auto box was stripped and refurbished and the radiator replaced plus a couple of other bits and bobs.
Cost?
Over three grand:Eeek::Eeek::Eeek::Eeek:
Of which Mr Inland Revenue got a cool £600:Angry::Angry:
Well, the vans OK now and I think we may well have helped the UK out of recession:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
Mike and Annie
I think it only fair to mention the garage who did a great, professional job;
Alders Automatics, Unit 4&5 Northfield Park, Lower Dicker, East Sussex, BN27 4BZ 01323 848448

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