LILBENZ230

That smells like BS to me.. the anti-theft part.

If Mercedes is trying to get VDO to admit fault and vice versa, does that not mean they are working towards resolving the issue without customers being out thousands of dollars?

johnand

Another link showing that even re-builders are getting strong-armed by MB to not rebuild or repair these parts: http://www.beckmanntechnologies.com/index.php

johnand

Not as far as I have been told by MBUSA. Now, maybe, just maybe, they have worked with VDO and fixed the issue and are going to possibly issue a recall or some other public announcement and fix all these on their dime once they have an adequate supply of parts?!?! I highly doubt it, but if the failure numbers are as high as I have read and been told, it would beat the backlash of class actions and angry customers that are stuck with a $$$$$$ bill to replace.

LILBENZ230

So Mercedes is trying to make a case against VDO.. That's the only thing that makes any sense. But that would seem to imply that eventually the customers will be taken care of, although I wouldn't hold my breath.

I was tempted to make a comparison with Honda, who for years made transmissions that simply wouldn't last.. but those were designed in traits and short of redesigning the units for cars long out of production there was no fix (and to this day there never has been).

This sounds like at the customer's (huge) expense, Mercedes is building a case against VDO to force them to admit fault. Since the part is sourced from them I'm not sure how they can blame Mercedes unless they are claiming that Mercedes forced them to design a faulty part though that makes little sense.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes John - As I said above "As best I can ascertain the real problem was the conductor plate corrupting speed sensor data leading to implausible readings."

My service manager tells me that as long as you dont' suffer a speed sensor or solenoid spring failure - which is apparently seldom the case - that the real problem is the stupid 150 buck conductor plate that is easily replaced by anyone. He says the shift plate (hydraulic section of the VB) is never the problem. Apparently some TCU's have been troublesome but that's been sorted. Does this gel with what you hear?

johnand

Absolutely. In the beginning they were just replacing valve body assemblies until it was determined that the vast majority of the trouble was from the conductor plate. It is my understanding that all speed sensor related errors are to get conductor plate replacement 1st and foremost (assuming the valve body is more recent). That cures almost all of them. The problem I am hearing lately, is there is a lack of supply on conductor plates to meet demand. The other issue is that even though the conductor plate is a reasonable priced part, the repairs are still a little expensive due to the labor of removing and installing the conductor plate. Almost all of the TCU problems have sorted out, I am told. There are some pump failures that trash the input bearing if not taken care of right away. (remember a post in the W203 section some time ago). So, once the conductor plate issue is resolved, I suspect the recent 722.9's should be damn reliable if serviced regularly.

Glyn M Ruck

Thanks John - that's encouraging that we are at least hearing the same thing. I see no reason why a dealer should charge more than $1000 to do a conductor plate including spares. Still a lot of money!

Yes this pump/TC/input shaft bearing issue is a pain. Most failures in SA have been on AMG models. See aigooalex's problem right now!

Obviously I've been concerned about the CLK but my SM says my car is in the clear from a Lanchester sprocket & transmission point of view & should I get unlucky, for the forseeable future they will repair FOC. So I'm just enjoying the car.

jogger

I've experienced this issue a few times. So will it die completely in the future if I keep driving it as it is or what will be the long term consequence?

johnand

I don't see any reason a speed sensor fault and resulting limp mode would have any long term adverse consequences, other than it is annoying as hell.

LILBENZ230

So you guys just drive them till they are permanently stuck in limp mode? John you have only had it happen once, no?

johnand

Yes, I have had it happen only once many miles ago. For me personally I will wait till it happens again and decide how to proceed from there. If it was my car and happened more than 2-3 times, I would take care of it. Quite possible it will never happen to mine again, but I am not holding my breath.

I would NOT recommend driving it till it is permanently stuck in limp mode. Like I said above 2-3 times would be my threshold. MOST people can live with a lot more issues with their car than I can. I just was stating that I doubt it would have any long term affects by just driving it. The point of limp mode it to save the transmission from serious damage. As long as you baby during limp mode and not beat it, it should be fine.

LILBENZ230

I'm that way, too. I can't stand it when my car's giving me even so much as a low washer fluid error. I hate it.

moonrkr23

dealer still has nt called us back, told norwichdelta i d ask the code it threw but have nt talked to the mechanic, figured they call, i may call monday

moonrkr23

UPDATE: her car is goin in monday, jan. 23rd. 1100.00, it did nt need whole replacement, coductor plate, an fluid change.

04mbc230

Wow. That is not bad. $1100 for all that work and at the dealership?

hahaitzmickey

mine has bee leaking transmission fluid and some oil. But my transmission fluid leaks at the bottom radiator connection. Put it on a lift at my buddies shop yesterday and found the leak. Dumb plastic parts is damage from last weeks transmission flush at mercedes. Bringing it in this morning for them to fix the transmission leak. good luck to your shift problem.

johnand

Not too bad. The conductor plate is only around ~$150, then about $200 for fluid change parts. But, the conductor plate is time consuming change. So, again, not to bad from a dealer. Keep us up to date. Would love to see a scan of the invoice if possible.

moonrkr23

thnx, john will get it an try to add the invoice in here for ya'll to see

JJSBENZ

Can someone explain limp mode please?

I own a 07 C230 83k miles and tonight my transmission stopped working. I got off the freeway and came to a stop. When I pressed on the gas I noticed it would barely move. The car now only stays in 1st gear and will not shift. It does go into reverse but when I change from drive to reverse it makes a strong shift causing the car to shake. When I got out I could notice a smell but no oil leaking. Also I do not have a check engine light on.

Any thoughts?

Should I take it to the dealer or a transmission place like AAMCO?

johnand

Another one with the speed sensor conductor/plate issue. Take it to the dealer and pay the piper.

bop11

As these transmissions are still used in new cars and from what I read even the repaired units fail, is there a case for a class action suit? Who cares who is at fault, MB should fix the problem and issue a recall. With trucks and buses hauling down the highway at 70 mph, loss of power on the road is a safety issue.

LILBENZ230

Note to all potential 2006-2007 W203 buyers.. buy 6MT or pass.

JJSBENZ

Confirmed conductor plate bad, have to wait 2 weeks for the damn part to come in BS!!!

johnand

How much did they quote for the repair?

JJSBENZ

1200 for the repair, turbine speed sensor failure.