Wife's SLK 350 stuck in 1st gear

Thanks Jeff & Akonion.

I was unsure to start as to whether that was the case as i did read that they fail over time and basically the symptoms get worse until the finale, however in the meantime the same symptom has occurred approx 4 times within the last 6 months she tells me

So i think your correct in that its the conductor plate. Thanks for your help

Now to find out how to remove it.....anyone?

Again Thanks Jeff & Akonion

PS no recalls on this obviously wide spread problem by MB is there?

Yes Jeff your correct the conductor plate can happen anytime at any mileage. The speed sensor on it i believe is actually the culprit. I found a couple of videos on youtube (infact its a set of 4 i believe) about the whole process and removal of the valve body and plate etc. I realize its on a Mercedes 722.6 Transmission where as mine is the 722.9, but im tempted to have a go at removing it...ooooooh dear lol. I do like a challenge tho.

This is the basics of it so dont blast me for missing stuff out

Jack the puppy up and support safely
Drain fluid via tranny drain plug
Remove the tranny pan
Remove the valve body
On bench disassemble the conductor electrical plate from the top side of the valve body
Pack it up nicely and ship it off to the repair company in California (modulerepair, 1-2 business days needed....Ebay 99.5% positive feedback)
No additional programming is required. $269 + $16 shipping

Reassemble in reverse order

Not sure though, perhaps your right Jeff just bite the bullet and take it into local MB here in Melbourne

So I researched and researched with regard to the conductor plate issue and I honestly don't think that's my problem. So I've gone ahead and purchased the materials etc to go ahead a do a transmission oil change

Heres a few reasons that lead me to believe in that its low on tranny oil.

1. We have only had the car about 18 months, wife has only put about 12 k on it from when we got it with 93k on the clock. We haven't had a transmission oil change on it and I cannot find anywhere stating the previous owner has
2. I went under the car and disconnected the circular electrical plug to find tranny oil in it ( I believe the oring fails). I've read this can cause problems not only with loss over a period of time of tranny oil but with the electrical part too
3. My sons manual clutch on his car went the very next day after the SLK, so his car had priority in the garage. Just finished it. All this time the SLK has been on the driveway (slight incline) nose pointing up. Now last night we had to move it to get my sons car out. Now before from park to drive or reverse it was lunging into gear, last night smooth as babies bottom. So I decided to take it a gentle ride around the block. It changed thru all gears and even in triptronic. So put it back in garage. What I did notice though was a smell of heat like oil heat

So from that I reckon its low on tranny oil??

Tranny oil change starting weekend….a lot of info found here http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-class-diy/11429-7g-tranny-fluid-change-diy.html

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Also as the thread above mentioned I'm also going to go ahead and change out the tranny mount

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There's a bunch of videos on YouTube that I've seen for assistance too

Example,

mercedes 722.9 7 G tronic adjust transmission fluid level

The only thing I'm not sure of is, I believe the torque convertor holds around 4 liters or so of fluid it, but not many people seem to drain and refill that They seem to just drain the oil pan and valve body area.

So I will report back early next week after the fluid change Again many thanks for your input