manuelkeller55

Sprinter transmission issues and torque converter failure

My 2012 Mercedes Sprinter with a diesel engine is giving me grief at 182294 km. The check engine light and transmission indicator are lit up. It feels like the gearbox is slipping, and the shifts are not smooth. There's also a grinding noise sometimes. The code reader is showing an error. I suspect the automatic transmission torque converter lock-up clutch is defective, maybe converter failure, causing this engine surge. Has anyone else run into something similar? I think it might be a torque converter issue and a 2120€ repair.

A 2012 Mercedes Sprinter with a diesel engine is experiencing transmission issues, including a slipping gearbox, rough shifts, and a grinding noise, accompanied by a check engine light and transmission indicator. The suspected cause is a defective torque converter lock-up clutch, potentially leading to converter failure and engine surge. The suggested solution is to have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired by a workshop familiar with these transmissions, as unresolved converter issues can lead to further damage. The problem was confirmed to be the torque converter, and the repair cost was 2120€.

Did this summary help you solve your problem?

4 comment(s)

Converter failure and engine surge sounds familiar. I had almost the exact same symptoms on my Sprinter too, check engine light, slipping. Does it feel like it's struggling to find the right gear, especially when accelerating? When you're cruising at a steady speed, does the engine rpm fluctuate a bit, like it's hunting? What codes did it throw? Was it pointing to the torque converter?

Yes, it definitely struggles to find the right gear, especially uphill. When cruising it feels like it sometimes has a slight engine surge. I will have to check the stored codes again. Are you saying you had the same symptoms and it was definitely the torque converter? Did you have a converter fault too?

Absolutely, it mirrors what I went through. My money is on a defective torque converter. The fluctuating RPM while cruising was the giveaway for me. I suggest you take it to a workshop that knows these transmissions well. They will be able to diagnose the issue properly, but it sure sounds like you have converter failure. Don't delay, the auto transmission converter fault can cause further damage if left unattended.

I appreciate the insight. It sounds like I was on the right track with the torque converter diagnosis. I'll get it into a workshop ASAP. I just got the repair done, and as you suspected, it was the torque converter. It cost me 2120€ but at least it's running smoothly again. Thanks!

rmh_community_comment_box_header

community_crosslink_scanner_headline

community_crosslink_scanner_intro

community_crosslink_scanner_title

community_crosslink_scanner_price

community_crosslink_rmh_headline

community_crosslink_rmh_intro

community_crosslink_rmh_title

community_crosslink_rmh_subtitle

community_crosslink_rmh_brand

MERCEDES

community_crosslink_rmh_model

SPRINTER