Weems

If your engine light come on, your mechanic scans it and it comes back as the torque converter lockup clutch control solenoid valve has failed, does it and the transmission have to be replaced?

Plutoe

The only thing that has to be changed is the solenoid that is on the conductor plate---watch out for scammers!!!

alx

it most likely needs a good cleaning if the screen is clogged. if it is not clogged a new solenoid is in order.

along with a tranny fluid, gasket, filter, pan bolts and 3-4 hours of labor you are looking at about $800-1000 total

Weems

They stated that Damler doesn't want mechanics to service any damage to torque converters or transmissions, they want them sent back and exchanged out.

Plutoe

You are being scammed---see another shop!!

Weems

An inspector working with the warranty company is coming out Monday to investigate their findings.

DaveW68

Why should he care if they replace the transmission since his warranty company is paying the bill?

I was having harsh and erratic shifting with my trans with under 30k miles. The dealership could have torn down the transmission to fix it, but the warranty company paid for a factory rebuilt unit. Likely cost them more money, but who cares since they were paying the bill.

Weems

What if they didn't pay the bill or you had no warranty, what would you do?

DaveW68

I'd probably check this forum for other people's experiences with similar issues. But since I have a warranty that covers such repairs, I don't sweat it.

Weems

Was that due to radiator fluid getting into the tranny? Apparently the radiator and transmission fluid go through the radiator to heat the tranny fluid and are why the problems happen.

DaveW68

I don't think that was the issue with mine. But my trans was never torn down, so there's no way I could know for sure. Since I have an S600 my car has the 5 speed auto, not the 7 speed that yours has. The 5 speed is supposed to be bullet proof, so it was a bit of a surprise that it had issues, especially with such low mileage. The pre-facelift 7 speed auto has been known to be problematic. Just do a search and you'll see how often these issues come up.

Weems

Well the answer is the radiator! It heats both the coolant and tranny fluid. Somehow coolant got into the tranny which has caused the problem. So, radiator, torque converter and tranny have to be replaced! Waiting to see what the warrant company does after the inspector gathered all the evidence.

mercedesbenzs55

You bought a lemon. How many major mechanical/electrical problems have you had by 30k miles?

gsholz

Radiator leaking could of course just be bad luck but I wonder if you still have the original factory coolant fill. The corrosion inhibitors are supposed to be long-life but only if the coolant has not been compromised, i.e. not mixed with incompatible coolants.

DaveW68

Yeah....I've got a 10 year old lemon. Get a clue dude!

I don't own a bare bones smashed up S550. But I do have an awesome warranty that has paid for all of the issues that are typical to a 10 year old S600 with a bi-turbo V12 motor and an ABC suspension. The trans repair may not have been typical, but I have a feeling that the warranty company over-spent by putting in a MB factory rebuilt unit. It likely only needed a solenoid replacement or something else fairly simple.

If you think your high mileage wreck is going to be immune to problems, you've got another thing coming. I believe you're still figuring out how you're going to pay to have your frame pulled....because you spent your money on a fridge, steering wheel, and other ridiculous items, right?

Weems

In my case I can't believe that the German engineers didn't know about the faulty radiators that caused the coolants to get into the tranny fluid. I would think a new radiator, solenoid and a tranny flush would do the trick!

Weems

Are the transmissions permanently sealed and can't be opened to flush or repair?

DaveW68

Nope....they can be opened up.

Weems

Mercedes needs to recall the radiators and correct the repairs! Or my warranty company gets their money back from Mercedes!

DaveW68

Oh sure.....that'll happen.

Weems

Ok here's the final prognosis Monday morning the car is going into the shop for two days. The coolant got into the transmission fluid and burned out the asbestos clutch plate which rendered the transmission useless. The radiator and clutch plate have not been updated. So the only thing that could be done on a continuous basis is to flush the transmission more than normal, Approximately every 30 to 40,000 miles, which is a cost of approximately $900 to save spending $7000 in the repair. The warranty authorize the repairs. Thanks for all you help guys!

gsholz

Sounds like it will get fixed.

Changing transmission fluid and filter on a regular basis is good for the transmission but it would NOT have prevented your radiator leak. Now flushing the coolant might have prevented radiator corrosion which in turn can cause a radiator leak. The 10 year coolant fill is pushing it in my opinion. Would be cheap insurance to change the coolant every 5 years.

Whenever there is coolant loss one should be very paranoid and make sure it does not end up in the engine or transmission.

Weems

There was no leak, it is an inherent problem with those radiators when you have the coolant and transmission fluid going through the radiator. Flushing has to be more frequent.