tommy

2200 is not even a down payment these days. Sucks, but it shouldn't be enough to throw in the towel. Besides, you just were made a moderator; you wouldn't want the boys to remove you if you get a non-Benz, before you've even abused your mod authorities yet, would you?

nlpamg

damn, that really sucks to hear.

mskembo

On the other hand, if there is a good time to start abusing those your authority it's right now!

johnand

After some phone calls, crunching some numbers, and calming down some, I decided I am not going to throw in the towel yet. Tommy is right, $2200 won't put much dent in a newer car. Bottom line is, the car is paid off, and car payments suck.

So, the dealer and MB weren't very helpful. I discussed the DTB's and was trying to get MB to fix this as a goodwill gesture, or help with some of the costs, but they won't budge.

I called Hartmann Motors and discussed it, and they think it can be fixed w/o a whole valve body replacement. But, after more discussion, I decided to just keep driving it at this point, and see if the problem returns. As I understand it, at this time, it is only a soft fault. So, if or when it returns, I will take it to Hartmann to get it taken care of.

So, you all will have to deal with my mod powers for a while longer

Glyn M Ruck

John - That speed sensor has been the largest single reason for valve body replacement on early'ish 722.9 transmissions. In every case I know of Benz has carried the bill. You should approach MBUSA more forcefully. Germany won't let dealers work on the EH unit. Good luck!

pcy

John, even if you need to replace that sensor, dropping the pan, dropping the valve-body is not that difficult. If you like the car and you are planning to keep the car for a while, I'd say go ahead and replace part - you have all the resources and tools and the support from this forum members :-)

It's been couple of weeks since I have checked-in here. I sold my '04 C320 and I bought a BMW '06 530i.

Norwichdelta06

just outta curiousity why 2200? How much is the part? I have an 07 with 40K miles now. It does shift hard. I brought it to the dealer multiple times and they said its nothing.. its normal... they readapted the transmission again? My car is out of warranty now and I've done my research and I know for sure its the valve body. Does it need a star system once its replaced? And is that Part called the valve body electrical plate?

billbillw

Jeeze, I though the 2007 models had this crap sorted out. I don't like the idea of having a car that can cost me $2200 at the drop of a sensor. I've been thinking about selling my 50k mile C350 for a few other reasons. This just adds more reason to think about it.

LILBENZ230

The one you just bought? And for multiple reasons?

The 2007s do have things mostly worked out but, like Glyn will say, $h!t happens. It could happen to any car.

billbillw

The reasons are not problems with the car. More like me wanting something slightly different (C55 or E55?). I was probably a bit too impulsive when I bought it.

W203E35

I had my valve body replaced under warranty. Dealer was being a jerk about it. Had to take it in 4 times before they finally did it. Their excuse is always adaptations.
Don't fall for it.

Glyn M Ruck

The trouble is that a forum concentrates the $h!t. Many only post when they have trouble

LILBENZ230

Yep, Glyn is right again. You can visit any forum dedicated to a specific car no matter how reliable/well built they are known to be and you will be afraid. Few people do what I do and post stories of things that are going well.

Midnight Koop

+1

johnand

PCY, the problem is you can't just replace the sensor, as it is not available seperately. For some reason MB won't allow anyone to even think about disassembling the electrohydraulic unit. So, you have to replace the whole thing and SCN code it.

$1600 part (Electrohydraulic control unit, aka valve body), $600 labor. The EC unit has a list price of $1291. You have to replace the whole unit, then SCN code it. SCN coding is only accessible to genuine STAR units connected to MB network.

Yes, but you have a 2006. There were known valve body issues. The valve bodies were supposed to be sorted out in the 07's. Obviously MB still hasn't gotten the 7G right.

Agreed. I post the good AND the bad. Unfortunately, it has been a lot of bad lately

I think it is all relative though. Since I have had extremely reliable vehicles lately, the MB gets a little unfairly judged because of that.

LILBENZ230

I don't think you're being unfair about it. The car has had an unacceptable number both in repairs and in dollars for a car of its caliber, age, and mileage.

W203E35

John will you be able to SCN code it with your STAR?

mskembo

I gotta say John, I'm scared #$%&less! I am hoping to be able to end run some of the problems that you've had, but I know you have taken care of your 230... I my CPS solenoids finally shipped today, so I should be able to do that next weekend. The intermittent CEL has been annoying me to no end. I think your plan to see if it was just a fluke before you pull the trigger on $2200 is smart. I'm sure you'll keep us informed.

johnand

Matt, I agree to an extent, but the $ amount for repairs has been cheap because of me performing the labor. Look for my 4 year summary posted here this week.

No, because it has to be online SCN coded, and as far as I know clone systems, can't SCN code. Do you have the ability to SCN code?

I wouldn't freak out yet Mike. So far my repairs have been low priced items like the cam magnets. The transmission may be a defect or a bad part, that is what I am trying to figure out, IF it happens again. Over 200 miles and no issues yet.

Glyn M Ruck

I agree with John - There are a hell of a lot of 722.9 transmissions out there now - some in the very high miles already without giving a moment of trouble. Lets hope it was just an electronic glitch that corrupted the speed sensor data.

Imagine the trouble one would have if Microsoft wrote the TCU software!

mskembo

Microsoft isn't that bad... my MacBook Pro has been flaking out the past couple of days, and I'm about ready to throw it at the wall. Of course with the aluminum uni-body case it would probably do more damage to the wall than to the MacBook...

I'm feeling better about my C230, I just become a worry wart every time I read about John's issues (as if they are going to be the same problems I'll face), as long as my car doesn't go into limp mode on my way back from East Texas I should be OK!

LILBENZ230

Best. Quote. Ever. The roads would be safer because no one's car would run most of the time. Microsoft Works.. biggest oxymoron ever.

John - I can't wait to see the 4 year summary. Hopefully this was a software glitch.

samaritrey

Just last week a girl brought in her macbook pro and she had managed to tweak the case so the battery cover would not go on right and when you closed the lcd it was misaligned by 1/8 inch or so lol
Then I also had a plan macbook new model get dropped on concrete from about 10 feet then somersault a few times then fall in a pool and sink to the bottom. Funny part is the guy thought that since it was a mac i could recover data from the HDD even though it was still dripping water.

People of MBWORLD PLEASE BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS NOW!!!!!

johnand

Just wanted to update my thread, as I have had some inquires about what happened to the transmission. So, I have driven over 7K miles since the transmission acted up, and the problem has yet to return. So far, I would say it was an software/electrical hiccup. Though, I am not 100% convinced it won't happen again.

On to my latest problem. As seen in the thread that Glyn posted info on the cooling fan, I am having issues with the cooling fan not kicking on which throws a code, indicated by a thermometer on the MFD, and causes the car to heat up. Worst temp I have seen is 95 degrees C. Normally runs right at 80 degrees C. Unplugged the connector to the fan assembly to check for corrosion on the connector, and it was spotless. Reconnected and drove the car for a bit. Problem continuing to happen, so I ordered a new fan assembly. Searched high and low and settled on the OEM one from parts.com at $352.80. Was able to negotiate better shipping by adding some other needed items like, rear differential oil, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. I plan on renewing all those fluids since I am closing on 100K miles.

Stay tuned and I'll post a DIY on replacing the fan assembly.

mskembo

You keep taking one for the team. You're experiences have added great value to this forum, even though most of us experience only a fraction of what you have.