W203 gearbox issues? C220cdi

[MikeSWw203]

Hi all,
had to call out the RAC last week as an intermittent gear box issue got bad real fast.
And now need help as I am clueless.

It felt like it was stuck in a limp mode of some kind, my Bluetooth Odb read nothing at the time.
Felt like it was stuck in one gear and the gear display on the dash was blank.
It would not move physically up on the auto gear box past N unless I pushed lightly whilst turning the key off.
This was near home and I got it back and the next day no issues.
Then after a 20 mile drive it got real worse, it was totally stuck in what felt like one gear and would not reset.
The RAC gave me this via email after their visit (they said it was an auto fluid leak but I did try and top it up by the side of the road in the dark and I feel this is the fluid they found)

Diagnostic Codes
RAC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
System Type: ENGINE SYSTEM TEST/VALUES
Name: 611.962 - CDI 2
DTC: P1481,Glow plug failure
DTC: P1664,Electric auxiliary heater
DTC: P0600,CAN fault
DTC: P1222,Accelerator pedal sensor 1
System Type: GEARBOX
Name: GEAR SELECTOR - GEAR SELECTOR (EWM203) - AT - -> 2003/08
DTC: P1856,Selector lever position detection has failed
DTC: P2000,Braking torque from the traction system over CAN bus; implausible
System Type: GEARBOX
Name: GEARBOX - GEARBOX (EGS52)
DTC: P2600,Terminal 87; undervoltage
DTC: P2315,CAN: communication fault with IC (Instrument Cluster)
DTC: P2300,CAN: Communication
DTC: P2001,Fault stored in ETC (Engine Transmission Control)

I read by the side of the road it my be the box under the kick plate on the passenger side, so ordered one on eBay (before realising it may need to be programed and useless)

So apart from checking my gearbox selector box thing and the fluid with a dipstick tomorrow, is there anything else I need to do?

The car is just over 100k miles and I don't want to give up on it unless I have to.

Thanks for help

 

[whitenemesis]

When was the box last serviced?
Quite common for the electro-plate to fail with sensor faults.
Quite common for the pilot bush connector to allow atf to travel up the loom to the ecu and kill it.
I'd recommend getting a good MB independent to have a look, STAR diagnosis will help pinpoint the issue(s)

 

[MikeSWw203]

No idea on the service, the history is good but the car is 20 miles away.
If the Ecu is dead can I swap it with the one I bought, or was I right about programming?

 

[Petrol Pete]

Hello and welcome . You are racing way ahead of yourself here. I think your car will have a 722.6 transmission which is arguably one of the most robust of its time . It is fitted in all sorts of things (with minor tweaks) from trucks all the way up to some of the mighty V12 Mercedes Benz offerings and everything in-between including thousands of Chrysler vehicles.

As a result there is a lot of expertise on it. The place to start is check fluid level and get the codes read. If codes can be cleared and fluid level is good and it is still playing up it can be something as simple as the TCU plug on the side of the gearbox (super cheap fix) or the conductor plate (or both) , either way these are well documented relatively cheap fixes.

Do the easy stuff first.

 

[MikeSWw203]

So the codes read with a star would offer more than the RAC got?
My plans are look under the kick plate and check fluids tomorrow

 

[Stratman]

So the codes read with a star would offer more than the RAC got?
My plans are look under the kick plate and check fluids tomorrow

It certainly will. STAR can reveal much more, especially MB's own codes and systems dialogue.

 

[MikeSWw203]

Will look and see what I can see tomorrow and then look at booking it in somewhere in the week

 

[MikeSWw203]

Ok so yes there was what looked to be trans oil thst has run down the wires to the Ecu.
I cleaned them and swapped the Ecu for my "new" one.
I checked the oil and it was fine with dip stick, if a bit filthy.
The car started after a few tries (been like this for a while when cold, maybe new glow plugs?)
I got a coolant warning (also a recent issue, no brown sludge in there or white in oil cap) maybe a coolant leak?
The gear display was back and I drove either round the block 3 times and it felt better than it has since I have had it.
I got it back, then knocked it all off.
I plugged in the dash cam and then drive to Halford for more coolant, then trying to pull out of a road it was like pulling away in 4th gear.
And then the display went blank again!!
Stopped filled with coolant and it was back to working fine again!
Intermittent faults are the best, will upload pics when my phone is charged.
Will call mobile and local people to see if anyone has the Star reader tomorrow.

 

[MikeSWw203]

 

[Petrol Pete]

OK , so the car needs a full transmission service and a new TCU plug as suspected. ....after having the codes read.

 

[MikeSWw203]

OK , so the car needs a full transmission service and a new TCU plug as suspected. ....after having the codes read.

View attachment 123273

Is that an expensive job?

Any ideas on the vanishing coolant? Is there a usual cause?

 

[Petrol Pete]

You could go 'cheap' DIY using Non MB parts If you have the tools and the skills , Or pay an Indi between £250/£350 .

febi bilstein 36332 Plug for automatic transmission control unit, pack of one : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Buy febi bilstein 36332 Plug for automatic transmission control unit, pack of one at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.

www.google.com

Mercedes 722.6 FEBI Gearbox Service kit A1402770095 from SPR Autos, Mercedes Benz & Smart Car Servicing in Stockport, Manchester & Cheshire

Mercedes 722.6 FEBI Gearbox Service kit A1402770095 by mail order or collection from SPR Autos, Mercedes Benz & Smart Car Servicing in Stockport, Manchester & Cheshire. Mercedes 722.6 FEBI Gearbox Service kit A1402701161 Plug A2035400253 Gearbox filter A1402770095 Sump gasket A1402710080...

mercedescarservicing.co.uk

Mercedes 722.6 Gearbox Conductor Plate Repair and Fluid Service Kit | eBay

1 x Conductor Plate (O.E.M. Quality Part). 6 litres of of ATF fluid Nr. 29449 (Febi Bilstein). 1 x Pan Gasket (O.E.M. Quality Part). 1 x Filter (O.E.M. Quality Part). 1 x Electric Board Connector (O.E.M. Quality Part).

www.googleadservices.com

 

[MikeSWw203]

So not cheap, cheap then.
I don't think I remotely have the skill, the plug may be ok depending on location, but the flush would be too much for me, both location and skill

 

[Petrol Pete]

Yes it is quite cheap for the parts and labour + time up on the lift compared with the cost of a new transmission (scrap the car) . If you are not confident in doing it yourself it's time to shop around for an independent garage to do it for you.

Not sure where you are in Somerset but Ben at Parkway Bristol (indy Mb specialists) could do it , but I happen to know he is booked up for about a month.

The coolant ? if its not dripping out check that your engine or gearbox levels are not rising ( I do not know if your car has a oil/coolant heat exchanger) On some MB cars coolant can get into the transmission which then destroys the clutch surfaces and bearings = rebuild the box or scrap the car.

How old is the car ? Many had Valeo radiators that went through a phase of failing and mixing ATF with coolant .

Glycol contamination s/w211 symptoms | Engine

As above, and following my project thread, What are the usual symptoms of Antifreeze in the ATF on Merc's with the 722.6 5g Gearbox? Any input much appreciated, i know these cars are getting on now.

forums.mbclub.co.uk

722.6 automatic gearbox shifting problems

2

mhhauto.com

How to Check If There is Antifreeze in Transmission Fluid

If you think that you have antifreeze in the transmission fluid, you should avoid driving the vehicle until you determine if the two fluids have mixed and corrected the problem. This may involve draining and flushing both systems. Regardless of the type of antifreeze your vehicle uses, the signs...

itstillruns.com

 

[MikeSWw203]

Yes it is quite cheap for the parts and labour + time up on the lift compared with the cost of a new transmission (scrap the car) . If you are not confident in doing it yourself it's time to shop around for an independent garage to do it for you.

Not sure where you are in Somerset but Ben at Parkway Bristol (indy Mb specialists) could do it , but I happen to know he is booked up for about a month.

The coolant ? if its not dripping out check that your engine or gearbox levels are not rising ( I do not know if your car has a oil/coolant heat exchanger) On some MB cars coolant can get into the transmission which then destroys the clutch surfaces and bearings = rebuild the box or scrap the car.

How old is the car ? Many had Valeo radiators that went through a phase of failing and mixing ATF with coolant .

Glycol contamination s/w211 symptoms | Engine

As above, and following my project thread, What are the usual symptoms of Antifreeze in the ATF on Merc's with the 722.6 5g Gearbox? Any input much appreciated, i know these cars are getting on now.

forums.mbclub.co.uk

722.6 automatic gearbox shifting problems

2

mhhauto.com

How to Check If There is Antifreeze in Transmission Fluid

If you think that you have antifreeze in the transmission fluid, you should avoid driving the vehicle until you determine if the two fluids have mixed and corrected the problem. This may involve draining and flushing both systems. Regardless of the type of antifreeze your vehicle uses, the signs...

itstillruns.com

The car is in yeovil right now, and I cannot find anyone who will either pick up the phone or reply to an email.
I am not sure if its dripping but these has been fluid leaking under the car for a while, but the atf looked brown and not pink, but the links you provided said that it would end up milky pink.
I am totally at a loss and have 13 days to try and get it fixed, but cannot find anyone at all so far.
It's from 2002 just over 100k miles and runs fine apart from these issues

 

[Petrol Pete]

Draw some of the ATF fluid out through the dipstick tube , see what it looks and smells like , that might give a clue.

 

[Stratman]

Aside from your posted problems, if the ATF is brown it needs changeing. It should be the couilor of cherryade. Brown means it's past its useful life.

 

[MikeSWw203]

Draw some of the ATF fluid out through the dipstick tube , see what it looks and smells like , that might give a clue.

I am 20 miles from it, but it was more coke brown than the red it should be, it 100% needs changing but I cannot find anyone to do it yet.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Have you called these guys ?

German Car Specialist Servicing, Repairs & MOTs in Yeovil from Robert Cockings Motor Repairs - 01935 427139

Call 01935 427139 for German Car Specialist Servicing, Repairs & MOTs in Yeovil from Robert Cockings Motor Repairs

rcmr.co.uk

 

[Petrol Pete]

You have a car (if it were driveable) worth around £1.5K , as it is you would be lucky to get it towed away for free, or at most a few hundred quid.

Decision time i'm afraid.