2002 C230 sportcoupe - TCU unplugged, replugged and now car wont shift out of 1st
04-09-2014, 12:24 PM
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'02 c230 sportcoupe
2002 C230 sportcoupe - TCU unplugged, replugged and now car wont shift out of 1st
Hello, kinda new to the site. OK, so I've searched the forum and I can't quite find an answer for my issue - thus a new thread. I own a '02 C230 sportcoupe with the 722.6 transmission. I was doing a stereo install and needed a hidden spot to place my passive crossovers. I found a good spot under the passenger side floorboard, where the TCU is mounted. I had to unplug the TCU (both plugs) to mount them. Well, I plugged everything back in and now the car refuses to go past 1st gear. Tried the adaptive reset - nothing. Also, the TCU unit itself is fine and oil free as is the harness. What do I have to do to make it functional again? I've read that leaving it unplugged overnight might reset it, but that did nothing as well. Thanks in advance for any assistance offered!
04-09-2014, 01:40 PM
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You may need to use SDS.
Other option, perhaps try disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes and reconnect.
That will reset the ECU and everything else.
They you will need to resync the windows etc.
Check your owners manuals.
Other option, perhaps try disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes and reconnect.
That will reset the ECU and everything else.
They you will need to resync the windows etc.
Check your owners manuals.
04-09-2014, 06:42 PM
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Tried the ECU reset, nothing. I'm at a loss here. So, I must have Star diagnostics to reinitialize the TCU? Well, I definitely can't limp mode to the nearest dealership, as its over an hour away. Damn...
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04-09-2014, 08:04 PM
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Upon further research I'm apparently in what's called "hard limp mode" and from what I've read only SDS can reset that. But I've also read threads in which people have unplugged their TCUs (for oil contamination inspection) and put them back in and never mentioned anything about having my issue. So I assume unplugging the TCU puts my car into a hard limp mode. I know its a hard limp mode because of the shift characteristics (very harsh, when I shift into "D" it lunges forward like its trying to rip the tranny out lol) please tell me there's a way to avoid a crazy tow bill lol
04-09-2014, 08:05 PM
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IDK if thats what did it for a fact but do know that the TCU along with other key parts of the car are considered security parts and I bet either the car didn't like missing one of its buddies in the security gang or they didn't like not knowing what the transmission was doing so it put it in limp mode. I would suspect that it will need Star I had an issue with the abs/esp/bas computer and it prevented the car from receiving info from the TCU and it put me in limp mode a few times until I broke it fully. The first few times restarting the car fixed it but the last time I had to use my Star to reset it after replacing the computer.
EDIT: I suspect that those people didn't put key in ignition while messing with the TCU though. Also do you happen to have AAA or similar?
EDIT: I suspect that those people didn't put key in ignition while messing with the TCU though. Also do you happen to have AAA or similar?
04-09-2014, 08:50 PM
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No, I don't have AAA, but I do have friends who can help tow it with a dolly. Is it safe to tow in neutral? Reason I ask is because I know its not good to coast in neutral. I replaced my rear SAM module with a used one and it didn't need any reflashing or anything, contrary to what I was told.
04-10-2014, 03:51 PM
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Should not have wheels turning when towing.
If you don't have AAA, get it. AAA + gets you a 100 mile tow for free, or even 200 miles with Premiere, or use a friends card.
If you join now, you'll just need to wait a few days before
you can use it, and since it seems it's already been down for a while, well, no big.
Now all this being said, check around and see if there is a local mercedes mechanic
who has SDS. AND or, you could always buy it...ha. Yeah, you can buy the whole setup on ebay for about $500. But then you also need a laptop.
ALSO perhaps you could call Mercedes roadside assist and have them come to you. Ask in advance if they carry SDS with them. If it's really just some reset, you'd be up and running in 5 minutes.
BTW edit your profile to say where you're from, it's a big help when asking advice to know where people are.
If you don't have AAA, get it. AAA + gets you a 100 mile tow for free, or even 200 miles with Premiere, or use a friends card.
If you join now, you'll just need to wait a few days before
you can use it, and since it seems it's already been down for a while, well, no big.
Now all this being said, check around and see if there is a local mercedes mechanic
who has SDS. AND or, you could always buy it...ha. Yeah, you can buy the whole setup on ebay for about $500. But then you also need a laptop.
ALSO perhaps you could call Mercedes roadside assist and have them come to you. Ask in advance if they carry SDS with them. If it's really just some reset, you'd be up and running in 5 minutes.
BTW edit your profile to say where you're from, it's a big help when asking advice to know where people are.
