My 2003 316cdi sprinter jumps out of 1st gear but drives perfectly in all other gears once you can get the van going. The transmission is called a sprintshift which is a manual gearbox that changes automatically I hope someone can help as Mercedes Aust wont give any help.

Andrew Gillespie, October 2007

my sprinter will not go into auto but work fine in manuel can you help me its a 2004 2.7 semi auto

clark, January 2022

transmission went in to lime mode stay in third gear can't pass 2000 rpm and can't go back to auto.I have to turn off the engine and star again. it doesn't happen everyday.

Gerry, October 2015

yes

tim, March 2013

i have a 2005 mercedes gearbox semi wouild like to change to manuel do i need a ecu thanks

kelly, April 2012

Hi, What is the 'normal' time delay in auto mode in shifting through all gears from rest? To explain: I am looking at buying a motorhome based on a Sprinter 413 turbo, it seems to rev a lot as it shifts up to the next gear just like the first of the car automatics in the sixties, seems like a long time to get through the shifting process??

Thanks... Robinsky

Robinsky, November 2011

The most common problems are the hydraulic pump failure and sometimes the 60amp fuse blows under the seat, also check the relay for this circuit.
once a new part has been fitted its important to use the star diagnosis machine to re learn gear values.

GSJ, July 2010

Just a little heads up.
I recently had to repair a sprinter that would not start and was stuck in reverse.

It turned out to be a flooded control unit.
The silver can under the drivers seat.

Rather poor design in my opinion,
The box is unsealed and mounted upside down , and the board is not conformal coated.

The lid recess creates a small well, catching any un expected water ( note: do not randomly jet wash the inside of the vehicle !). Being unsealed the water soaks into the enclosure and stays there, until it overflows !

Recomended Prevention.
Remove control unit reinstall with label facing up.
Better still remove cover and board and confomal coat the board and refit as above.

Recomended Repair.
Remove all the mould and rusted board !
Trace out the busted tracks, repair, test, then refit as above.

I also noticed that one of the large inductors was fairly burnt, not sure if this is normal or perhaps a result of the excess percipitation, anyway it still worked but it was replaced while in bits so it look pretty again.

I hope this helps you out if you have just driven thru a lake or jetwashed the inside of your merc sprinter semi automatic workhorse.


Oh while you are there, clean out the rubber drain plugs in the wiring tunnel.(both sides)

Sorted,..
You gotta love technical design.

Happy days...

HiddenVision, May 2010

my clutch is not engaing until over half the way down it hydrolick do i need to top up something to presurise clutch so it engages earlyer

dave, May 2009

Update on 416 sprinter with Sprintshift gearbox.
After the first repair did not work, the van was taken into the local Merc workshops and I was told the gearbox was full of bits of metal and beyond repair. have had a new box fitted at a cost of £2100. It goes well now. It really is a lovely gearbox when it is working OK.
Liam

Liam, February 2008

Alright mate I just bought 2000 311 sprinter I am having same problem. I find when u pull away on a hill it will jump out or excellerate quickly, I just keep my hand on gear stick to make sure it doesn't jump outa gear. I was told by someone it probably is just the gear cable is stretched? I dont know not mechanicly minded. If you find the solution pls mail me mannstaff@yahoo.com would be gratefull.

Cheers

don

Don, December 2007

I have a 2001 MB 416 with sprint shift gear box. It worked very well for 5 years and 105,000 miles but then started jumping out of first gear. This got to the point where it was almost undrivable so I booked it in at my local MB service centre. They first diagnosed the clutch which was replaced and made no difference. They then stripped the box down and gave me 2 options 1/ replace worn parts cost £1200. 2/ exchange MB box. £2500. I took the first option reasoning that the box worked well in all other gears. The first gear and synchromesh was replaced and I received the van back. (the £1200 bill included the cost of the new clutch).
The Van worked fine for 2 months and about 3000 miles. but has just started jumping out of first again. I will take it back to the service centre soon although it is still quite useable and seems to jump out most often on a light throttle and gentle pull away.

Liam, October 2007