sprinter tranny troubles!!!

hondaking38 · Mar 7, 2008

anyone had this happen before i got to the dealer??? one mile from my driveway tranny seemed hesitant for a second driving at normal speed..pulled into my driveway and no tranny it seemed like it was in nuetral, put it into reverse and same thing...thought what the heck....shut down motor , restarted and put it into gear and it worked,, 2 hours later figured i would drive 45 miles to sprinter dealer, stopped at the party next door leaving sprinter running and it only backed up 5 feet before no tranny again....shut it down and got her home...of course there is no dipstick to check the fluid but i did have the services done 45,000 miles ago...any suggestions would be helpful...thanks

Turtle · Mar 7, 2008

Sounds like a sensor problem, or a computer problem, and restarting the engine clears the computer. It should throw a bunch of codes that a dealer can figure out in a hurry. Of, find someone with a code reader, like a Scan Gauge II. The cheap code readers won't give all the codes the dealer diagnostic tool will give, but it should point you in the right direction.

hondaking38 · Mar 11, 2008

black tranny fluid and metal shavings = new tranny, uggggg

rdtrpn · Mar 11, 2008

im curious is this a dodge or freightliner...

greg334 · Mar 11, 2008

rdtrpn said:
im curious is this a dodge or freightliner...

If you are asking about the vehicle, it is the same - Mercedes=Dodge=Freightliner

OntarioVanMan · Mar 11, 2008

hondaking38 said:
black tranny fluid and metal shavings = new tranny, uggggg

What did you do in the last 45,000 miles?? Do you take heavy weights? What colour was the last change?

RLENT · Mar 12, 2008

Black fluid would likely indicate burnt fluid, assuming a change of fluid at normal intervals - or unless some non-standard fluid was used. When I changed mine out at 60K it was dark red but not black.

As far as the metal shavings - were these actual large shavings - or the fine metallic residue that most automatic transmissions are prone to ?

When I did mine the large magnet donut in the pan was covered with the fine metallic residue - however there were no large shavings.

I've picked up a frame rail transmission cooler ($40) and an external spin-on transmission filter ($30) from Summit Racing that I have yet to install. For around $70 it seems like cheap insurance to me.

One additional thing that folks should be aware of is the following couple of recent posts from Andy Bittenbinder (Docktor A) concerning the NAG 1 tranny used in the Sprinter over on the Yahoo Sprinter Van Group:

NAG 1 Transmission- TECH ALERT

Be sure to read the "additional notes" posting by Andy - as well as the one I linked above.

hondaking38 · Mar 17, 2008

nope no heavy loads, fluid was changed 3 months ago,same as filter, just went out as i was pulling in my driveway...5150.30 with new torque converter, now sitting in dubois pennsylvania right front wheel bearings went out, been out of service quite a bit the last 2 weeks, as soon as it gets repaired it going straight to e-bay...going back to the chevy where every town has a dealer that can work on it....

OntarioVanMan · Mar 17, 2008

That sux....so your giving it up because... 1: Lack of dealer support....2 : the repairs?
cuz you was zippin along pretty good till now.

hondaking38 · Mar 17, 2008

locating the dealers is the problem, closest one is 85 miles away, 55.00 hookup and 4 dollars a mile.ugg when ir rains it pours...wife had enough and says buy new..lol

OntarioVanMan · Mar 17, 2008

I've been zippin along like you..but I am afraid to say I think I am just about in the "ZONE" of replacement parts....280,000 miles....getting brakes done 4 the 1st time tomorrow.

hondaking38 · Mar 17, 2008

well ovm i have a like new sprinter for sale with a brand new 100,000 mile warrented tranny,lol pack your wheel bearings, its a couple hour job unless u r on the road like me and u have to use rocks for hammers....then u really gotta pay with tows and everything

RLENT · Mar 17, 2008

King ..... did you happen to read the the link I posted - or the other post in that thread ?

Particularly the one where Andy says:

"-Are you experiencing transmission related malfunction codes
and/or symptoms of transmission malfunction despite having proper
fluid level?

-Is your dealer recommending a transmission replacement?

If you answer yes to either of the last 2 questions-don't wait.

Perform this procedure immediately."

Or the one marked "Additional Notes":

"More importantly, don't let someone talk you into performing expensive
repairs or replacing your transmission without checking this first.

Speed sensor (in this case false signals) related failure codes are
suggestive of serious internal problems -can be misinterpreted."

OntarioVanMan · Mar 17, 2008

with new rotors 2morrow the bearings will get done......had them done last year on a PM check the tech noticed a little play in the wheels....This tech out here in SD is pretty attentive and shop rate is ONLY $75.00 an hour.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 17, 2008

RLENT said:
King ..... did you happen to read the the link I posted - or the other post in that thread ?

Particularly the one where Andy says:

"-Are you experiencing transmission related malfunction codes
and/or symptoms of transmission malfunction despite having proper
fluid level?

-Is your dealer recommending a transmission replacement?

If you answer yes to either of the last 2 questions-don't wait.

Perform this procedure immediately."

Or the one marked "Additional Notes":

"More importantly, don't let someone talk you into performing expensive
repairs or replacing your transmission without checking this first.

Speed sensor (in this case false signals) related failure codes are
suggestive of serious internal problems -can be misinterpreted."

I tried but yahoo wants ya to sign-up before ya read it and I couldn't be bothered at the time I clickec...

davekc · Mar 17, 2008

The more concerning issue with Honda's is the black or burnt fluid. I don't believe a bad speed sensor would affect that.
However, it is a Sprinter which I know little about.

RLENT · Mar 18, 2008

Yup - would totally agree. If the fluid was actually black it would be a huge concern.

My question is did anyone other than the dealer actually observe the fluid or the metal shavings ? Or was that just what the dealer said ?

And what explanation did the dealer offer for black fluid on tranny that had not being hauling heavy and had the fluid changed only 3 months/45K miles ago - which is well under the recommended change interval ?

That's kind of a puzzler dontcha think ?

And what about the fact that shutting the vehicle off and turning it back on repeatedly brought the tranny back to life ?

davekc · Mar 18, 2008

Good point.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 18, 2008

I was in my dealer to-day discussing this very thing...he said it sounded like unexpected torque converter lock-up....it can happen right out of the blue no rhyme or reason...there was prolly a vibration in and around 45 mph when the torque converter engaged and let go again but the damage was done and it self destructs shortly thereafter. The stopping and restarted reset a sensor inside.

hondaking38 · Mar 21, 2008

yep it was burnt, and lots of metal in it..it will be on ebay soon,,,bought one of those disposable canadian vans!!! its called a chevy gets put in service monday....