You guys may think i'm crazy for asking this question here.. My brother owns a 92 S600, and is having a few problems with it. Just wondering if anyone has experience with the v12 benz' or knows somebody who is knowledgeable.

Hello

I am also a Mercedes Benz enthusiastic, what problems has the s600 have?

A problem with the transmission is the issue of concern right now.. There are a few other ones, but this one is effecting driveability most at the moment. Basically it starts out in second, shifts to third, but will not go into fourth unless you bring it up to about ~150kph (4XXX rpms). Then will shift back to third at about 110-120kph when decelerating. As far as i know, this is only vacuum and hydraulically controlled, not electronic like the 96 S class.. So im not sure, but maybe its a vacuum controll module.. i am not very knowledgeable in this area.
Not trying to encourage anybody to step out of their 8series, but this thing feels like it will keep right up with my 8! i guess its the 428 ft-lbs :P

Change the fluids and filter with the required MB fluids, When is the last time the Transmission fluid was changed? Any bad smell or rough shifting?

We will change the fluids/ filter.. Just bought it, doesnt have record of last change. Tranny fluid looks perfect, not cloudy or different colour in the least, and smells good. The shifts are fairly defined but not rough.. they may be more defined as a result of this problem, as im sure an s600 shift should be seemingless.

I should be reading some troubleshooting tranny articles.. but if the filter isnt plugged, would the next step be to rebuild the valve body?

Starting to sound like Burnt Cluthes! Do the filter and fluids first, After that it gets expensive... But if it works, Get the fluids hot and change them again and you will be good to go.

Thanks 8! I wont be able to tell you anything until next week sometime, but i will definately update! Sound like you know a thing or 2 about transmissions.

I don't know much, I just remember the symptoms before i had to dish out a few times--)

Hah, thats more like it :P

After the fluid change and new filter if the prob is still around go thru the gears manully to see if you can get to first that way if not its deffently internal i had the same prob with a mitsubishi i had it would up shift way too soon and load up the engine bigtime till it would ping , only time i could get it to get into first was manully. Could be the governor in the tranny or elsewere take it to a well known shop that wont rip you off, ask around AUTO tranny shop. Automatics are as complex if not more than an engine. hurry and have it checked out before your clutches are toast .Good luck ====Avoid Stealerships

Hello

As I remeber correctly the Auto box on a Mercedes for that year were mechanically operated as opposed to the electronic versions after 98, So they were not speed sensitive and did not adapt to driving styles. This meant they usually started off in 2nd unless modified to start 1st. As mentioned above the vacums need to be checked and also change the fluid and filter using original equipment. I think its a normal ATF2. If all this does'nt work then have the box reconditioned to fix the valve body. At the same time you can ask them to recondition the box completely which will make the car drive like new.