2003 c220 cdi auto transmission issue.
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mercedes c220 cdi 2003
2003 c220 cdi auto transmission issue.
Hi all. First Post on here so treat me gently please!
I have a 2003 c220 cdi with the 5 speed automatic transmission that is giving me issues. The car has been stood for approximately 3 years and has developed a few issues that I'm working through bit the main problem is the gear box seems to be going into limp mode when being driven and sticking in gear. I have purchased a new service kit for the fluid change along with a new coductor plate as i have been told this is the probable cause. Before i do the work on the box i need to know the fluid capacity of the ATF when re filling with a filter change included. I have searched high and low but can not get a definitive answer do any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a dip stick for the gearbox, but it's not showing any reading on the level gauge when inserted so I'm not relying on that as I don't know if it's the correct one for the car or not.
any help or guidance on changing the fluid or fittong the conductor plate would be a great help.
many thanks......
I have a 2003 c220 cdi with the 5 speed automatic transmission that is giving me issues. The car has been stood for approximately 3 years and has developed a few issues that I'm working through bit the main problem is the gear box seems to be going into limp mode when being driven and sticking in gear. I have purchased a new service kit for the fluid change along with a new coductor plate as i have been told this is the probable cause. Before i do the work on the box i need to know the fluid capacity of the ATF when re filling with a filter change included. I have searched high and low but can not get a definitive answer do any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a dip stick for the gearbox, but it's not showing any reading on the level gauge when inserted so I'm not relying on that as I don't know if it's the correct one for the car or not.
any help or guidance on changing the fluid or fittong the conductor plate would be a great help.
many thanks......
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Hi all. First Post on here so treat me gently please!
I have a 2003 c220 cdi with the 5 speed automatic transmission that is giving me issues. The car has been stood for approximately 3 years and has developed a few issues that I'm working through bit the main problem is the gear box seems to be going into limp mode when being driven and sticking in gear. I have purchased a new service kit for the fluid change along with a new coductor plate as i have been told this is the probable cause. Before i do the work on the box i need to know the fluid capacity of the ATF when re filling with a filter change included. I have searched high and low but can not get a definitive answer do any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a dip stick for the gearbox, but it's not showing any reading on the level gauge when inserted so I'm not relying on that as I don't know if it's the correct one for the car or not.
any help or guidance on changing the fluid or fittong the conductor plate would be a great help.
many thanks......
I have a 2003 c220 cdi with the 5 speed automatic transmission that is giving me issues. The car has been stood for approximately 3 years and has developed a few issues that I'm working through bit the main problem is the gear box seems to be going into limp mode when being driven and sticking in gear. I have purchased a new service kit for the fluid change along with a new coductor plate as i have been told this is the probable cause. Before i do the work on the box i need to know the fluid capacity of the ATF when re filling with a filter change included. I have searched high and low but can not get a definitive answer do any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a dip stick for the gearbox, but it's not showing any reading on the level gauge when inserted so I'm not relying on that as I don't know if it's the correct one for the car or not.
any help or guidance on changing the fluid or fittong the conductor plate would be a great help.
many thanks......
available these days. I have the iCarsoft MBII but i have mixed feelings about.
But it gets the job done. Don't replace any parts without doing this 1st.
Next, yes measure the fluid level. You may have a leak. Hopefully you're looking in the right place,
behind the engine. Some people have actuallly poured ATF into their cranckase. STOOPID!
Drop the plastic pans and see if there is a visible leak.
And check the TCU to see if it has fluid wicking up the wire loom coming from the transmission and
or pop the connector from the tranny to see if it has fluid in it.
It's (TCU) usually under the passenger floor kick panel, but on right hand drive, I'm not sure.
If fluid is wicking up the loom, it can get into everything and be a real mess.
Lots of threads on this.
Use a dipstick like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/322559591384
Check it with the engine hot and running.
If there's no fluid, try adding some. Do a little at a time like 4-8 oz. If you overfill you'll have to take some out which is a PIA.
You didn't mention how many miles on the car or when you did the last transmission service.
Fluid is of course the red ATF134 which replaces the original fluid spec.
I wouldn't mess with the conductor plate unless you have to, and
be sure to get the OEM one. DO NOT GET A CHINESE ONE. Nothing like putting a bad one in your
car. OEM is from Kostal such as this one. They aren't cheap, but you'll cause yourself no end of frustration
using cheap parts.
https://ebay.us/hXtr7g
You can look over this old thread created by yours truely and these instruction for reading the fluid.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ighlight=722.6
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Sep 6, 2023 at 02:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 5
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mercedes c220 cdi 2003
Of course, you need to read the codes. A MB specific code reader is best, and there's a lot of them
available these days. I have the iCarsoft MBII but i have mixed feelings about.
But it gets the job done. Don't replace any parts without doing this 1st.
Next, yes measure the fluid level. You may have a leak. Hopefully you're looking in the right place,
behind the engine. Some people have actuallly poured ATF into their cranckase. STOOPID!
Drop the plastic pans and see if there is a visible leak.
And check the TCU to see if it has fluid wicking up the wire loom coming from the transmission and
or pop the connector from the tranny to see if it has fluid in it.
It's (TCU) usually under the passenger floor kick panel, but on right hand drive, I'm not sure.
If fluid is wicking up the loom, it can get into everything and be a real mess.
Lots of threads on this.
Use a dipstick like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/322559591384
Check it with the engine hot and running.
If there's no fluid, try adding some. Do a little at a time like 4-8 oz. If you overfill you'll have to take some out which is a PIA.
You didn't mention how many miles on the car or when you did the last transmission service.
Fluid is of course the red ATF134 which replaces the original fluid spec.
I wouldn't mess with the conductor plate unless you have to, and
be sure to get the OEM one. DO NOT GET A CHINESE ONE. Nothing like putting a bad one in your
car. OEM is from Kostal such as this one. They aren't cheap, but you'll cause yourself no end of frustration
using cheap parts.
https://ebay.us/hXtr7g
You can look over this old thread created by yours truely and these instruction for reading the fluid.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ighlight=722.6
available these days. I have the iCarsoft MBII but i have mixed feelings about.
But it gets the job done. Don't replace any parts without doing this 1st.
Next, yes measure the fluid level. You may have a leak. Hopefully you're looking in the right place,
behind the engine. Some people have actuallly poured ATF into their cranckase. STOOPID!
Drop the plastic pans and see if there is a visible leak.
And check the TCU to see if it has fluid wicking up the wire loom coming from the transmission and
or pop the connector from the tranny to see if it has fluid in it.
It's (TCU) usually under the passenger floor kick panel, but on right hand drive, I'm not sure.
If fluid is wicking up the loom, it can get into everything and be a real mess.
Lots of threads on this.
Use a dipstick like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/322559591384
Check it with the engine hot and running.
If there's no fluid, try adding some. Do a little at a time like 4-8 oz. If you overfill you'll have to take some out which is a PIA.
You didn't mention how many miles on the car or when you did the last transmission service.
Fluid is of course the red ATF134 which replaces the original fluid spec.
I wouldn't mess with the conductor plate unless you have to, and
be sure to get the OEM one. DO NOT GET A CHINESE ONE. Nothing like putting a bad one in your
car. OEM is from Kostal such as this one. They aren't cheap, but you'll cause yourself no end of frustration
using cheap parts.
https://ebay.us/hXtr7g
You can look over this old thread created by yours truely and these instruction for reading the fluid.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ighlight=722.6
So today I've managed to get a new dipstick for the gearbox. Checked the ATF level and it was VERY low. Ended up adding just over 1 litre which took it to the correct level on the markings on tje dipstick. (Checked with a warm engine and box, engine running, wife cycling the gears). I'd had the battery disconnected as I've also replaced an injector seal. Drove the car and all was well, changed gear as it should. Drove for about 5 miles just in case it developed any issues whilst out. As I slowed down to stop at a junction, the gears changed down as expected but then as I pulled away, stuck in gear again. The car wouldn't rev above 3k and went about 30mph. Pulled over and disconnected the battery and waited a few minutes, reconnected and Drove again. Changed gear as normal, 60mph no issues. Slowed down again to turn up my street home and it stuck in gear again. ATF level is spot on now according to the (new) dipstick and its not making any noises or unusual performance, other than sticking in gear again. Could this be an error code logged that is kicking in when it's driven and putting it into limp mode again (clearing when the battery is disconnected)?? I used mercedes approved ATF to top up with so I'm head scratching again. I've got someone coming tomorrow with a snap on code reader (he's a mechanic and says it should read and clear the codes) does the code idea sound plausible??
Thanks again.....
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 121
Likes: 22
From: Melbourne, Vic, Australia
C230K M271 CL203 2003 model
Yes, definitely check the codes!. Many things can cause the 'limp home' mode..
I had a DPC- P0121 - Throttle/ Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance Problem..
The Pedal position was causing the Throttle plate to move into uncharted position, causing P0121 error code and going into go-slow mode!
I had a DPC- P0121 - Throttle/ Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance Problem..
The Pedal position was causing the Throttle plate to move into uncharted position, causing P0121 error code and going into go-slow mode!
