2004 E320 Gearbox Woes

[E39]

Evening all,

Our '04 S211 E320 broke down yesterday and was diagnosed by the RAC on the roadside as having an internal gearbox fault. The car is high mileage (240K+) but has been well maintained and has a full MB service history, so we at least were able to make use of the MB breakdown cover (which was an absolute shambles, but that's another issue).

The car was juddering and revving with a whine coming from the transmission, before suffering a loss of power. RAC sent through the following fault codes:

RAC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM

System Type: ENGINE SYSTEM TEST/VALUES
Name: 648.961 - -->05/05 - CR3_UP - 2.7L - 150 (204)
648.961 - -->05/06 - CR3_UP - 3.2L - 150 (204)
648.961 - -->09/03 - CR3 - 3.2L - 150 (204)
648.961 - 10/03--> - CR3_UP - 3.2L - 150 (204)
648.961 - CR3_UP - 3.2L - 150 (204)
648.961 - CR3 - 3.2L - 150 (204)

DTC: 2228,Transmission Control: ETC fault
System Type: GEARBOX
Name: GEARBOX - GEARBOX
DTC: P2502,Gear is implausible or the transmission is slipping
DTC: P2500,Transmission has an impermissible transsmission ratio


I'm aware of the glycol contamination issue, but I'd suspected this would have been rectified at some point due to the age of the car. The gearbox was replaced by MB less than 18 months ago with a brand new unit.

I use MB to service the car (which was done a fortnight or so ago with no transmission issues identified) and have an excellent local independent who does most of the work.

I'm keen to keep the car, but I'm after any advice on how to proceed. Am I looking at a new gearbox and torque converter? If so would I have any chance claiming from MB given they replaced the gearbox so recently? I'd hope the gearbox is still covered, but I don't know whether to get the car towed to MB for diagnostic work, or just get over to my indie and ask them to look at it.

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[AMGeed]

Sounds very much like the torque convertor needs replacing/reconditioning. I had similar symptoms on my previous W210.
Any idea how long MB warrranty their repair? Maybe a note on the invoice?
If its out or warranty I can't see MB making a contribution ......but if you don't ask, you don't get. The problem with MB doing the job, even with a contribution, it would probably cost more than your indy.

If its out of warranty I'd get your indy to work on it, confirm its the TQ, and maybe send it to JPat for reconditioning. I know an indy on the other MB forum thinks highly of them.
JP (Automatic Transmissions) Ltd.

 

[Codger49]

Came across this MB info which implies a 2 year parts warranty:

http://tools.mercedes-benz.co.uk/cu.../tradepartner/TradePartner_Parts_Warranty.pdf

 

[E39]

Big thanks both for the replies, that’s good news about the warranty on repairs and replacement parts. Will drop MB a line as well as my indy and take it from there, will update when I know a bit more.

 

[E39]

Quick update in case this helps anyone else. After initially being diagnosed on the roadside with internal gearbox failure, the car was recovered to Mercedes for further diagnosis. They suspected the gearbox ecu but after replacing this failed to fix the problem, they replaced the entire gearbox and torque converter. All done under warranty with no hassle and although there was a bit of a wait for the parts the service was excellent. Had the car delivered back to me today, will take it out tomorrow and report back.

 

[clk320x]

they replaced the entire gearbox and torque converter

Excellent, hope you get another 250k out of it

 

[markjay]

Very good result.

Still odd that a new transmission would fail after just 18 months... but the important thing is that they sorted it.

 

[E39]

Took it out this morning and the car feels great, noticeably smoother gear changes and the kick down is more predictable.

Definitely a concern that the gearbox would fail within 2 years though, I need to confirm whether the car has a Valeo rad and if so get that replaced, although if it was glycol contamination i didn’t think that’d take out the gearbox as well.

 

[clk320x]

Definitely a concern that the gearbox would fail within 2 years though, I need to confirm whether the car has a Valeo rad and if so get that replaced, although if it was glycol contamination i didn’t think that’d take out the gearbox as well.

Glycol contamination will destroy the gearbox.

I don’t think the 04 cars had Valeos?

 

[E39]

Nipping back to the dealer next week to grab a Mercedes me adapter so i’ll speak to them about the rad, my build date was early ‘04 but like you say I thought it was earlier cars affected.