I purchased a used 05 Crossfire 2 months ago. It was not maintained well, so far I have replaced the idler arm, tie rods end to end, replaced tires and one rim. Now I am ready to start on the transmission fluid change, I have read a few threads and saw a video, but I want to make sure the fill port I noticed is correct. On the passenger side I have noticed a bolt with a rubber seal behind it at the back of the bell housing, is this the fill port and where you would put the dip stick to check the fluid levels? One other question, I drove the car over the weekend about 20 miles, when I stopped, the transmission would not engage or shift in gear, but after moving the key to the off position and starting the car again, the car shifted into gear. Would anyone have an idea of what is occurring or what is wrong? I assume it is an electronic problem since I assume it resets when you shut everything down and kill the engine. thanks

 

The transmission fill / check is a tube at the passenger side rear of the engine just like any other car, except there is no dipstick.
The symptoms you are describing could well be due to low fluid level.
When you change the fluid, it is also advisable to change the wiring connector as they are prone to leaking. ( if this has not already been done )

Where is Alabama ?

 

Prattville

 

I have general mechanical knowledge, but this car does not have a dip stick tube, the only opening that I see on that side of the motor is a bolt and rubber bushing that might have been a dip stick tube at one time. I assumed this would be the location where you added the fluid back, but thought I would ask first. When the vehicle is parked, there is no sign of leaks.

 

Ahhhh - early memories of Friday nights at the Pratt-Mont drive in .........
( I grew up in Millbrook )

There is a breakable plug in top of that tube, that was back when Mercedes claimed that the transmission had "fluid for life"
They have since changed this to change fluid every 50K

 

I think you should have a member (Ala_fire) take a look , there should be a dip stick tube with a black or red plastic cap on it ,,most of the time that cap will brake when removed . u need to buy a dip stick (keep it in the trunk,,tool box because it does not stay in the tube,,,BTW your tranny is checked when at a certain temp. and running

 

Don't bother with that awful half-baked dipstick thingy.

Sell the car. NOW.

Then buy a Crossfire with a manual six speed transmission: No conductor plate issues, no leak issues, and easy service - just drain the fluid and put in 1.6 quarts of Mobile 1 5W20 every 50,000 miles.

 

Uhhh Mark, Please don't confuse the man . . .


Here's a photo of the transmission fill / dipstick . . .



With the mileage on your Crossfire and since admittedly it was not well maintained, you should drop the pan put in a new filter and gasket THEN have the transmission fluid flushed to get out all the old fluid (there would be a lot of old fluid remaining in the torque converter unless you get it flushed). Doing this requires a flush machine and the whole thing is a messy job. Look for an independent shop specializing in repairing German / Mercedes vehicles. Let them do it. Also while you have the transmission pan dropped, you should probably have a new conductor plate installed (not a made in china conductor plate but a genuine Mercedes part) in the transmission. Just sayin' . . .

Lastly, while your doing the transmission . . . As ala_xfire recommended, replace the transmission connector. You can get a new one for less than $20. The o-ring seal in ALL of the OEM transmission connectors will eventually leak because the o-ring deteriorates.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Auto-Trans-Pl...QaAoP5EALw_wcB



LOOK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE KIT WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-Tra...4AAOSwPBJdCkqH

ENJOY YOUR CROSSFIRE! THEY ARE THE BEST SPORTS CAR VALUE ON THE PLANET!

 

Dr George . . . You should know where Alabama is! You live there! DUH . . .

 

O yea. I forgot, now I remember.
( of course I meant "where IN Alabama" )

 

Thanks for the picture, I have look at that location 10 times and missed it every time. I guess the ole saying is true, one picture is worth a thousand words. I did drive it today, transmission is slipping bad and check engine light is on. Not sure what I will do now, maybe just take it to a shop and see what they think. I have located all the parts to change the fluid, filter, and plug, that is what I was doing next, I did read a thread about flushing the system, it could probably stand that also. But thanks for the help and the picture, I will let you know what I do next to the car.