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Timely thread gentlemen! Hoping I won't need to use it, but... My car jerked suddenly during a shift when I was pulling away from a stop sign yesterday and the check engine light came on. It threw a P0715 code. I've noticed some odd/rough shifts over the past many months but thought it was related to a faulty accelerator pedal which I've also had issue with many months ago. Car has ~108K miles and I've replaced the tranny fluid/filter/bushing 2x now, last time just a couple thousand miles ago when I noticed the damn bushing leaking again.
A little background for forum posterity: Many months ago the car would seem to go into limp mode where it would accelerate very, very slowly even if I floored the pedal. It eventually threw a code and between that and searching on this forum I concluded it was a faulty accelerator pedal. I ordered one but in the mean time the acceleration problem went away so I got lazy and never replaced the pedal (even though it's ~20 minute job). Yesterday the acceleration problem reared it's ugly head again, so I went ahead and replaced the pedal. I did not do a throttle reset before test driving, and while on the test drive is when the extremely rough shift occurred. I came home and did the throttle reset but in driving it afterwards have noticed a couple peculiar/odd shifts. Also, it doesn't seem like the throttle reset worked so am going to try again - the reset didn't bring back the crisper acceleration like it had when I've done this in the past. Hoping things will sort themselves out. but am not holding my breath.
Sounds like you got your hands on a bad reproduction piece. I've seen the aftermarket ones, in fact I have one as a paperweight and it doesn't look bad but I won't bother selling those considering OE ones sell for $180ish and even comprehensive kits with fluid cost less than $300. On a part so critical to trans function, I'd go with the real deal.
C230 - did you throw a code leading you to suspect the conductor plate?
The P0715 code came back on my '03 again and I noticed a few more weird shifting things going on beforehand - some rough shifts and things like trying to go up an incline seemed like a manual transmission clutch slipping. When I came home from work the day before yesterday I put it in reverse to back into the driveway and nothing... Was giving it gas but it was like it was in neutral. Then I put it in drive and the same - nothing, just revving like it was in neutral. I was definitely worried being in the middle of the street and not being able to move the car. I shut it off then started it up again and all systems normal.
I did check the tranny computer under the passenger floorboard and there is no sign of oil on the wires. I think I'll take a chance on driving it around a little bit to check the tranny fluid level again too, even though I don't see any leaks.
Looks like I'm going to order one of the conductor plate transmission service kits from Kyle unless anyone has any other ideas on what it might be?
Kyle - Is that a genuine Mercedes conductor plate, coming in a Mercedes box? I just checked FCP Euro and it wasn't clear (also notice the price went up some from what you'd posted). Thanks!
I did check the fluid last night after driving around for a while and it's exactly where it should be on the stick.
C230 - I asked above about a code leading you to suspect the conductor plate... or did you throw a code leading you to believe it was the shifter electronics? The gearshift surround tabs have been broken for some time and I'm wondering if some dirt/gunk might have gotten in there causing some problems...
Question: If the conductor plate is indeed the problem I'm having and I were to replace it myself, would I be good to go? Or does the tranny computer need programming after replacing?
After more searching/reading, I'm wondering if the tranny computer needs to be 'reprogrammed', or if you simply need a scanner capable of getting into the tranny computer to clear the code(s) there so they don't pop up again?
I'm 2 hours away from the nearest MB dealer or indy shop...
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Hi Greg,
See my reply to your PM. The conductor plate for a 722.6 is a completely passive device unlike the one for the 722.9 which contains the TCU etc. So as long as you unplug the the transmission carefully without shorting pins etc that could corrupt the outboard TCU & ECU you don't need a Star. Make sure that the Key is not in the EIS!
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort (What the heck, it gets 38 mpg!)
mtnman- I was getting I think P0705 but also had some pending codes I think including PO715. Turbine speed sensor yada yada via Torque app.
BUT when i read them with carsoft, the errors turned out to be for the PNRD sensor, which is in the shifter and issues with the MAF sensor, shorting out or some such nonsense, which also was giving me an generic error P0171 and then later with Star SDS.
You don't really get the whole story. Torque with list some Mercedes specific codes, without telling you exactly what they are, or leaving off a suffix that gives you the exact problem.
I've attached a list, the most comprehensive list I've found to date that
lists the mercedes specific codes. I also was getting
"P200F" which Torque says is an unknown codes, but from this list, it tells you it comes from N15/3 which happens the be that shifter sensor again.
Anyway at this time, I don't have any more codes, I replaced the shifter with one I located at a picknpull for $30 instead of $700.
I had already replaced it once, but the connectors weren't correct, and had to wait for a 2002 to show up (a C240 to be exact) .
I may still need a conductor plate, we'll see....mine has 232K miles on it.
If I order one I'll be getting it from oediscountparts.com.
A dealer in NC with prices 25% off list. So about 225 for an absolutely genuine part. No tax, no shipping. I already have filter, and connector piece with orings, about $30 from the same place.
And I picked up a case of ATF134.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; 07-18-2016 at 01:55 PM.
Kyle - Is that a genuine Mercedes conductor plate, coming in a Mercedes box? I just checked FCP Euro and it wasn't clear (also notice the price went up some from what you'd posted). Thanks!
Anytime I sell a Genuine Mercedes Part that is not in a Genuine Mercedes Gray box, I brand the product OEM on our website. The conductor plate is a good example, 100% Genuine Mercedes but branded OEM on the site. The pricing is constantly changing due to various factors including my cost, market conditions, changes in shipping contracts etc.
Hmmmm, I think I just f'd myself... I blew out around the shifter with some compressed air and the check engine light went away and it seemed to be shifting OK. Then all of a sudden a hard shift, check engine light came back on, and now it's stuck in 2nd gear. I tried clearing/erasing the code which didn't work and also tried disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes which also didn't work. Does this mean I know indeed DO have to take it to a shop which can clear the tranny codes?
So I got the parts but chickened out on doing this one myself. I was afraid I would still have to clear some transmission codes after I replaced the conductor plate with it being locked in 2nd gear. It also would start to limit the engine rpm's to 3000rpm after I drove for a few miles. I talked to a transmission shop with excellent reputation who turned out to be familiar with the 722.6, leaky connector adapters and replacing conductor plates. He told me if I wanted to replace it myself I should do it and that the codes and all the weird driving behavior would clear itself with the new conductor plate. I wound up just having him do it - dropped the car off at lunchtime and he called me before quitting time that it was done. I had just changed the oil/filter/connector adapter at Christmas, but nevertheless bought the kit with the conductor plate and new fluid/filter/connector adapter/pan gasket/etc. so all that was replaced. Drives great. Looks like all they did was have the battery disconnected while they did the job and no codes.
I was afraid I would still have to clear some transmission codes after I replaced the conductor plate
This is true. Ask me how I know.
He told me if I wanted to replace it myself I should do it and that the codes and all the weird driving behavior would clear itself with the new conductor plate
insame1 - please do tell! I would have had to take it in to clear codes if I had replaced the conductor plate myself?
Yes. I did one on my c32 and it was stuck in limp till I got it to the indy and he cleared the codes. I suppose if you have Star or a clone you could do it yourself but a standard reader wont clear trans codes. Also when I had this done on my C55 the indy showed me the MB doc that shows the proper rest procedure to truly mate the new plate to the car. That being said all I did was have the codes cleared on the 32 and it worked fine.
Yes. I did one on my c32 and it was stuck in limp till I got it to the indy and he cleared the codes. I suppose if you have Star or a clone you could do it yourself but a standard reader wont clear trans codes. Also when I had this done on my C55 the indy showed me the MB doc that shows the proper rest procedure to truly mate the new plate to the car. That being said all I did was have the codes cleared on the 32 and it worked fine.
insame1 - hey buddy hope your doing well! You still have your 32 or 55?????
I have this p0705 pending code on my c32 which put me in limp mode then prohibited me from getting the car in gear for 15 mins and could only idle. I cleared the code and did the ECU reset and car has been driving OK for a few weeks but the code still appears as pending so am assuming I’m gonna have to replace whatever part is the trans range sensor.
question - did you have this same code and if so did you fix With a new trans range sensor, or was there more STAR code clearance to do?????
insame1 - hey buddy hope your doing well! You still have your 32 or 55?????
I have this p0705 pending code on my c32 which put me in limp mode then prohibited me from getting the car in gear for 15 mins and could only idle. I cleared the code and did the ECU reset and car has been driving OK for a few weeks but the code still appears as pending so am assuming I’m gonna have to replace whatever part is the trans range sensor.
question - did you have this same code and if so did you fix With a new trans range sensor, or was there more STAR code clearance to do?????
Thx for any input... cheers
no codes on the 32 and a code on the 55 that only showed up under star. I thin the part you need connects to the outside of the box. not sure though. Sold the C55 then had an ATS for a short time an am back in a clk55 now.
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort (What the heck, it gets 38 mpg!)
As I mentioned in post https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post6862336
the P0705 was actually the sensor in the shifter/ sensor.
You will go into limp mode, only 2nd gear, and the lifespan of the sensor in the shifter seems to be
about around this time for early W203's. Lot of people on the forums having this issue at the same time.
You will need to take a look at the shifter to check the or contact Mercedes. As I mentioned, there are variations in the connectors etc.
Saw a 203 yesterday at pick n pull, and someone had left the shifter and only nabbed the sensor.
I assume so it would fit in their pocket. It's always one the 1st things to go on the pick n pull cars.
Yes, clearing the error etc you will buy you a couple weeks, but eventually you will need to replace it.
I'm pretty sure I posted on that somewhere with docs on removing installing the shifter.
No programming required with replacement shifter.
Here's one I don't think I attached previously...
and here's what it looks like in SDS.
Originally Posted by jvakos
insame1 - hey buddy hope your doing well! You still have your 32 or 55?????
I have this p0705 pending code on my c32 which put me in limp mode then prohibited me from getting the car in gear for 15 mins and could only idle. I cleared the code and did the ECU reset and car has been driving OK for a few weeks but the code still appears as pending so am assuming I’m gonna have to replace whatever part is the trans range sensor.
question - did you have this same code and if so did you fix With a new trans range sensor, or was there more STAR code clearance to do?????
Thx for any input... cheers
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; 11-28-2017 at 05:17 PM.