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Limp mode, star computer won't connect to transmission?
I'm a new owner to a 2001 E430 Sport with 130k on the ticker and I love the car. Ran great for about 2 months then came limp mode. Stuck in second gear and the car jolts hard going into reverse or drive.
I read a lot and I mean a lot. I started with a replacement plug and dumped quite a bit of fluid out of the TCM. I cleaned it with MAF cleaner 3 to 4 times let it dry and reassembled. No luck.
I picked up a used shifter and tried that also with no luck.
Also noticed the previous owner didn't have a fluid cap on the transmission tube. This has been replaced and the dipstick seems to show ok fluid level. I am unsure how long I can drive in 2nd gear to get the fluid to 80 degrees Celsius.
OBD2 Code is p0730, I went to a transmission shop to get a better code reader and he couldn't get either of his machines to connect to the TCM. Wouldn't pick up at all.
Through my searches I hadn't seen this. Does anyone have a schematic that shows wires I can test to see if the module is fried? Can I replace this with a used one? I've seen some post saying they are coded to the car. Are there options out there for new ones?
Thanks in advance, this car is a whole new world to me, my other car is an 87 camaro.
I'm a new owner to a 2001 E430 Sport with 130k on the ticker and I love the car. Ran great for about 2 months then came limp mode. Stuck in second gear and the car jolts hard going into reverse or drive. I read a lot and I mean a lot. I started with a replacement plug and dumped quite a bit of fluid out of the TCM. I cleaned it with MAF cleaner 3 to 4 times let it dry and reassembled. No luck. I picked up a used shifter and tried that also with no luck. Also noticed the previous owner didn't have a fluid cap on the transmission tube. This has been replaced and the dipstick seems to show ok fluid level. I am unsure how long I can drive in 2nd gear to get the fluid to 80 degrees Celsius. OBD2 Code is p0730, I went to a transmission shop to get a better code reader and he couldn't get either of his machines to connect to the TCM. Wouldn't pick up at all. Through my searches I hadn't seen this. Does anyone have a schematic that shows wires I can test to see if the module is fried? Can I replace this with a used one? I've seen some post saying they are coded to the car. Are there options out there for new ones? Thanks in advance, this car is a whole new world to me, my other car is an 87 camaro.
Sorry to hear about the problems!
If I was you, I'd drain all the fluids and put in fresh stuff to the correct level. Also drop the tranny pan and replace the metal filter. check the magnet for metal too! Also you can replace the conductor plate as well.
Not sure why the tranny would be acting up at 130k but I'd do I general on it.
I intend to freshen it up but I don't think old fluid would keep the trans shop computer from connecting to the tcm.
Is there a schematic somewhere I can use to test it. Also are they locked to the car, am I safe buying a used one to replace this one?
You are wasting your time and money----first you have to determine what caused the transmission fault---to do that you need factory or equal diagnostic software----find a mechanic that knows what he is doing!!
He isn't using an obd2 reader and says he has done this kind of work before.
I'm 2 hours from an MB dealer in the middle of podunk Kansas. Trust me I hate this trial and error stuff. I'll check with a different shop that can test it, see if he has better luck.
Use the phone and simply ask the shop if their diagnostic software can read an MB transmission-otherwise you will be running around the corn field with the cob----- you know where!!!
Well I pulled the old conductor plate off tonight to find a nice surprise.
Anyone know where I can order a new piece to replace this hack job. I'm hoping I won't find anymore surprises like this from the previous owner in the future.
Well there is good news in this photo opus---The real question is why repeat why the shifter interchange piece got bent over---installed incorrectly maybe---owner sabotage doubtful---ex wife tinkering with the conductor plate---possible, in any event that should be determined before replacing!!
The bad news is that a new original MB part is not available for sale from MB--search the web for companies who say they rebuild MB transmissions---they should have pails of old parts laying around----see if they will sell you the part!!
While you're working on the car...check those spring perches!!
One more issue I discovered that you can possibly avoid-the motor mounts on my car weakened, allowing the motor to slice through the power steering lines running somewhere near the edge of the hood. It happened on a bump in a garage. Besides changing the motor mounts (which had no effect on the way the car feels, but was $$$), the dealer rerouted the power steering lines away from the guillotine zone.
Last edited by livetodrive; 10-29-2014 at 01:39 AM.
10-10-2014, 04:06 PM
