W169 CVT transmission fault - ecu removal.

[peapod]

My 2010 180 cdi has the Transmission Fault Go To workshop, OBD codes 793,722 and 720. My intension is to use ECU testing to rebuild the ECU. Having disconnected electrical connector, drained oil removed bottom cover, filter and removed the 12 screws securing the valve body plate I cannot get the valve body plate to move downward to enable removal of the ecu for repair. Does anyone have experience in getting the valve body plate down and out of the gear box housing ? The problem, touched on in you tube videos, is said to be that the tower connector O rings get stuck in gearbox casing preventing downward movement, they show it being shaken by hand to remove it. I have done this and applied some downward pressure to the top of the connector using a spring compressor but damage risk is too great. A Mercedes mechanic suggested big screwdriver and tyre levers but that is not working for me. Any comments on how to do this will be very much appreciated.

Peapod.

 

[Skyisblue]

hello.

Just wondering that you have problem with the TCM and has it been repaired before? Thanks

 

[peapod]

The problem with TCM had not occured before. "Transmission fault" and limp mode started at 97,000 miles and within a few weeks the car was too unpredictable to drive. For example if it happened when joining a motorway. I am glad to say that MB took the valve body which carries the ECU, out of the gearbox for me then i separated it from the valve body and sent it to Ecutesting who repaired it in 3 working days. It came back to me i reassemled it and MB reinstalled it. Teh car is now going fine in fact i think engine / transmission manangement is better than before the failure happened. MB told me that in their own repair instructions, if the speed sensor posts on the ECU assembly appear burned / rubbed the gearbox would have to be replaced due to wear. Luckily they were ok and they said the chain was in good condition i.e no problem with wear in the box yet .
MB gave me a 40% discount on labour and their charge to remove and replace was £631 including some oil, i had only recently changed oil and filter and they recover / re-used most of it. ECU repair was £275 including couriers, both costs inclusive of VAT. MB's estimate for the whole job was £1,799 incl vat for new valve block and ecu. Thus s saving of £893, The alternative was to scrap the car. There were more risks with me getting involved in the job but it all worked out well in the end and frankly it is a great little 13 year old car which we bought new and worth keeping on the road.

 

[Skyisblue]

The problem with TCM had not occured before. "Transmission fault" and limp mode started at 97,000 miles and within a few weeks the car was too unpredictable to drive. For example if it happened when joining a motorway. I am glad to say that MB took the valve body which carries the ECU, out of the gearbox for me then i separated it from the valve body and sent it to Ecutesting who repaired it in 3 working days. It came back to me i reassemled it and MB reinstalled it. Teh car is now going fine in fact i think engine / transmission manangement is better than before the failure happened. MB told me that in their own repair instructions, if the speed sensor posts on the ECU assembly appear burned / rubbed the gearbox would have to be replaced due to wear. Luckily they were ok and they said the chain was in good condition i.e no problem with wear in the box yet .
MB gave me a 40% discount on labour and their charge to remove and replace was £631 including some oil, i had only recently changed oil and filter and they recover / re-used most of it. ECU repair was £275 including couriers, both costs inclusive of VAT. MB's estimate for the whole job was £1,799 incl vat for new valve block and ecu. Thus s saving of £893, The alternative was to scrap the car. There were more risks with me getting involved in the job but it all worked out well in the end and frankly it is a great little 13 year old car which we bought new and worth keeping on the road.

Hello.

Thank you for sharing your stories.

I am glad that you fixed the problem in your car. A and B class do have this common problem with the TCM. I do have the problem with the tcm now and unable to find a replacement nearby. What you are being advised by MB to fix and send the part to ECUTESTING was the right decision and i am glad you did this.

I know it's sad to let go our car when we know what the problem is and knowing that it will extend the life for the car. But in my case, My b class's TCM has been repaired before and I also dont want to let it go to the scrap yard. I think i might have found a part in Bulgaria and might cost £700 without the labour cost in the uk.

I spoke with several people at that place and they really know what they're doing. There are only a few companies in the uk which do the repair for ECU and one of them is ECUTESTING.

The next time when you find the problem with the RPM or SPEED sensor in the gearbox. It can actually be replaced with the new ones. I happen to replace two of them.

If you happen to experience any problem with your car, please do share it here as i might also happen to have the same problems and perhaps i could give you more information.

Thank you.

 

[peapod]

Hello.

Thank you for sharing your stories.

I am glad that you fixed the problem in your car. A and B class do have this common problem with the TCM. I do have the problem with the tcm now and unable to find a replacement nearby. What you are being advised by MB to fix and send the part to ECUTESTING was the right decision and i am glad you did this.

I know it's sad to let go our car when we know what the problem is and knowing that it will extend the life for the car. But in my case, My b class's TCM has been repaired before and I also dont want to let it go to the scrap yard. I think i might have found a part in Bulgaria and might cost £700 without the labour cost in the uk.

I spoke with several people at that place and they really know what they're doing. There are only a few companies in the uk which do the repair for ECU and one of them is ECUTESTING.

The next time when you find the problem with the RPM or SPEED sensor in the gearbox. It can actually be replaced with the new ones. I happen to replace two of them.

If you happen to experience any problem with your car, please do share it here as i might also happen to have the same problems and perhaps i could give you more information.

Thank you.

Hi thanks skyisblue,
I did think about trying to get another tcm but decided it was too risky. When i had first contact with ecutesting they said, "if it is un repairable we might be able to supply another one" I guess it would have been one they obtained themselves and repaired. Maybe you could call them, say you heard from a recent customer, give my name if you like (Paul Apps) say yours has already been repaired and failed again . Say to them if you (ecutesting) find it is not repairable can you supply another used/repaired one ? regards Peapod.