Mercedes Sprinter Sprintshift Gearbox Problem

[Alice1]

We have a Burstner t-star 680 on a Mercedes Sprinter 316CDI chassis (2004 & 64k miles) fitted with a sprint shift gearbox. Usually lovely, well behaved, and easy to drive. A couple of days ago it decided that it wasn’t going to play in auto mode and dropped into manual change only . Ok in reverse but it’s a bit of a bind having change manually all the time when it should do it automatically. It doesn’t show a fault on the dash display, just the number of the gear you are currently in. Changes down through the gears as normal (I.e. automatically) when you slow down for roundabouts or junctions etc. Also she doesn’t now like going up any incline and has to be coaxed up at low speed using the gears (like it’s in limp home mode).
I’ve looked on t’interweb for a solution, including taking fuses 3 & 8 out of the fuse box & replacing them (apparently a Merc dealer recommended fix ) but it’s no better. Next stop may be battery disconnect & reconnect to see if it reboots the ECU/solves the problem. From the research I think it might possibly be ECU related or maybe a faulty sender on the gearshift/box but before I take it to a Merc dealer/specialist to put on the computer diagnosis and find out the worst I just wondered if anyone else has had a similar problem? And if so how they cured it. it’s not a new box .
(BTW The same gearbox is fitted to VW Crafter vans too).

 

[SquirrellCook]

When was the gearbox oil and filter last changed? And did it get Mercedes spec oil?

 

[Wully]

I was gonna say the filter as well I had an auto sprinter give similar problems had the oil and filter changed it was fine after that

 

[Alice1]

Haven’t a clue on that one. Last service 57368 (maintenance service & oil service plus). Recommended service - oil every 9k oil service plus every 20k according to Mercedes. Also says change auto transmission oil every 10 yrs (but it’s not an auto box as such x just a smart manual gear box so ...?

 

[Alice1]

Thanks Wully & Squirrelcook - will try the oil change route at the local garage we use (not a Merc specialist but very good), if that doesn’t do the job it’ll have to be rather painful I suspect

 

[SquirrellCook]

Thanks Wully & Squirrelcook - will try the oil change route at the local garage we use (not a Merc specialist but very good), if that doesn’t do the job it’ll have to be rather painful I suspect

If you run into problems I can lookup it's original build and and service specifications for the gearbox.

 

[Alice1]

If you run into problems I can lookup it's original build and and service specifications for the gearbox.

Super job! We’re on our way back home with her now. Will keep you posted.

 

[Phantom]

That's handy to know about the oil & filter change as we have the 316 with sprintshift box also. I prefer to drive it in manual all of the time but probably better for it in auto with higher revs to reduce the soot!

 

[Nabsim]

That's handy to know about the oil & filter change as we have the 316 with sprintshift box also. I prefer to drive it in manual all of the time but probably better for it in auto with higher revs to reduce the soot!

Soot? Tell me more, no soot on mine I have noticed

 

[Wully]

You’ll have the smokeless model Neil. Put the boot down clear the arteries.

 

[Nabsim]

You’ll have the smokeless model Neil. Put the boot down clear the arteries.

I don’t know if I have the normal set up or not, one of the guys at the place I got it from was full of prise for the gearbox, said it the six speed ambulance box. No idea if all tn1 autos have the same or not lol

 

[Phantom]

I prefer to drive it in manual all of the time but probably better for it in auto with higher revs to reduce the soot!

Soot? Tell me more, no soot on mine I have noticed

I don't notice mine either, just that friends following always comment on the black smoke when I boot it! I should really thrash it more so driving in auto may help? Though MPG will likely slide from a steady 24 to about 22 I guess?
It's still only done 46k so maybe not quite run in yet?

 

[Phantom]

I don’t know if I have the normal set up or not, one of the guys at the place I got it from was full of prise for the gearbox, said it the six speed ambulance box. No idea if all tn1 autos have the same or not lol

If you do a VIN look up it will tell you the original spec of everything on the base vehicle.

 

[Nabsim]

If you do a VIN look up it will tell you the original spec of everything on the base vehicle.

I got the build card from a gu6 over on the USA sprinter forum

 

[dunfillin]

I don't notice mine either, just that friends following always comment on the black smoke when I boot it! I should really thrash it more so driving in auto may help? Though MPG will likely slide from a steady 24 to about 22 I guess?
It's still only done 46k so maybe not quite run in yet?

Is this not normal for a diesel powered vehicle unless fitted with a DPF?
I suppose it's a case of how much black smoke.

 

[Phantom]

Is this not normal for a diesel powered vehicle unless fitted with a DPF?
I suppose it's a case of how much black smoke.

I drive it lazy at low revs so guess it has a clear out when occasionally booted? Unless it is over fuelling?

 

[Rod]

The sprint shift is a manual box with a pump that makes the gear change.

We have had failure on the original and a recon one fitted in Italy.

New one fitted in Spain.

1st it would slip out of gear and we could not find anything wrong. Sometimes it would go thousands of miles before going again.

Eventually a fail no gears

There then seem to be various electronic bits that help with change up. Ours would not under load as an air in take in the turbo did not close properly.

In the end it was sorted by a Merc truck garage.

Hope yours is an easy fix

 

[SquirrellCook]

I drive it lazy at low revs so guess it has a clear out when occasionally booted? Unless it is over fuelling?

We have a new engine generation Vito, I expect the sprinter will get the engine next. It's an auto 9 speed gearbox and it likes to hold it's self to just over 1500 rpm. 70mph is about 1600 rpm. It will be interesting to see how it ages. First service is after 2 years, but it's going to get one sooner. It will never be serviced by a garage.

 

[maingate]

I drive it lazy at low revs so guess it has a clear out when occasionally booted? Unless it is over fuelling?

I drive a diesel between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm and have never had any bother with engines. I would never drive below 2,000 rpm in 4th, 5th and especially 6th gear. My last 2 vans have been big ones and the engine gets a work out when I change up through the gearbox.

My current van tells me when I need to change down a gear as it has a faint vibration from somewhere when the revs are too low for the gear.

 

[dunfillin]

I drive it lazy at low revs so guess it has a clear out when occasionally booted? Unless it is over fuelling?

Another issue not previously mentioned is that driving it regularly at low revs could eventually destroy your dual mass flywheel which most modern diesels seem to be fitted with.