2016 C450 all of a sudden won’t go into DRIVE or REVERSE?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,993
Likes: 6,827
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
thanks for your post..
Any thoughts...:
-- if that means like real full tranny valve body replacement is either required
-- or just best practice?
I’m going to try and see if my more local legacy mercedes shop can quote me the full Monty for less than the very high cost from a direct dealership.
Is that something not TOO difficult overall for a shop with transmission experience or is it really best left for the mothership?
thanks in advance, I know the time zones thing can be challenging. I did Stuttgart to NYC, and LA for many years trying to work across all nine time zones often.
Any thoughts...:
-- if that means like real full tranny valve body replacement is either required
-- or just best practice?
I’m going to try and see if my more local legacy mercedes shop can quote me the full Monty for less than the very high cost from a direct dealership.
Is that something not TOO difficult overall for a shop with transmission experience or is it really best left for the mothership?
thanks in advance, I know the time zones thing can be challenging. I did Stuttgart to NYC, and LA for many years trying to work across all nine time zones often.
It sounds like your local MB specialist will have no problem troubleshooting your solenoids if they have an on-line Xentry to code replacement to your chassis.... all for a realistic cost.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 7
From: San Jose
2016 C450 AMG, 2009 C300, 2001 C320 2001 CLK430, 95 E500
these cars are very well designed for quick service. No need to pull engine-tranny to drop the valve body.
It sounds like your local MB specialist will have no problem troubleshooting your solenoids if they have an on-line Xentry to code replacement to your chassis.... all for a realistic cost.
It sounds like your local MB specialist will have no problem troubleshooting your solenoids if they have an on-line Xentry to code replacement to your chassis.... all for a realistic cost.
Would something like the conductor plate errors or faults for this transmission throw actual ERROR codes? Or could that be an issue, but not report any faults?
Any thought that this could be more simple, like the TCU or cable harness? I just find it very odd that this transmission could essentially catastrophically fail - to the point of total immobility from one start to the next, with zero indication of developing issue. No issue with shifts, holding gear, no noises, no reported errors at least in the dash.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,993
Likes: 6,827
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
I’ll check with them today.
Would something like the conductor plate errors or faults for this transmission throw actual ERROR codes? Or could that be an issue, but not report any faults?
Any thought that this could be more simple, like the TCU or cable harness? I just find it very odd that this transmission could essentially catastrophically fail - to the point of total immobility from one start to the next, with zero indication of developing issue. No issue with shifts, holding gear, no noises, no reported errors at least in the dash.
Would something like the conductor plate errors or faults for this transmission throw actual ERROR codes? Or could that be an issue, but not report any faults?
Any thought that this could be more simple, like the TCU or cable harness? I just find it very odd that this transmission could essentially catastrophically fail - to the point of total immobility from one start to the next, with zero indication of developing issue. No issue with shifts, holding gear, no noises, no reported errors at least in the dash.
DTC fault codes are not simple work orders. They are usually misleading and should be considered as ballpark clues.
That why faults are useful as troubleshooting tips.
Troubleshooting is an interactive process, nothings hard set.
Voltage transients can make MB electronic unstable... no parts necessary.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Sep 12, 2024 at 08:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 7
From: San Jose
2016 C450 AMG, 2009 C300, 2001 C320 2001 CLK430, 95 E500
Well, haven’t made enough progress.. had a couple major life issues at play..not dead yet though..
Sadly, my local shop no longer seems to be a viable option. Change of ownership, only ONE person who can do MB work and some of the others onsite were actively smoking some cannabis during mid-day. It didn’t leave a good feeling.
I checked another recommended spot with good reputation.. they pretty much said the same thing. Drop the transmission valve body and replace with either direct OEM or MB re-manufactured complete stack. Otherwise you’re just draining, swapping solenoids, refilling, testing, if that doesn’t work you’re draining (throwing away fluid and seal) fixing or replacing conductor plate, reusing solenoids, refilling, testing, etc.. With a shop time that isn’t more than $50 a hour cheaper than MB direct, and IF one has to do another rotation of troubleshooting, then you’re just throwing money away. In some ways, it’s makes sense, but personally I’d rather try some things first before swapping out the stack.
It’s just such a big nut and now I probably have 10K in hospital expense I hadn’t counted on at the start of last week. ;-(
Sadly, my local shop no longer seems to be a viable option. Change of ownership, only ONE person who can do MB work and some of the others onsite were actively smoking some cannabis during mid-day. It didn’t leave a good feeling.
I checked another recommended spot with good reputation.. they pretty much said the same thing. Drop the transmission valve body and replace with either direct OEM or MB re-manufactured complete stack. Otherwise you’re just draining, swapping solenoids, refilling, testing, if that doesn’t work you’re draining (throwing away fluid and seal) fixing or replacing conductor plate, reusing solenoids, refilling, testing, etc.. With a shop time that isn’t more than $50 a hour cheaper than MB direct, and IF one has to do another rotation of troubleshooting, then you’re just throwing money away. In some ways, it’s makes sense, but personally I’d rather try some things first before swapping out the stack.
It’s just such a big nut and now I probably have 10K in hospital expense I hadn’t counted on at the start of last week. ;-(
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,499
Likes: 6,347
Well, haven’t made enough progress.. had a couple major life issues at play..not dead yet though..
Sadly, my local shop no longer seems to be a viable option. Change of ownership, only ONE person who can do MB work and some of the others onsite were actively smoking some cannabis during mid-day. It didn’t leave a good feeling.
I checked another recommended spot with good reputation.. they pretty much said the same thing. Drop the transmission valve body and replace with either direct OEM or MB re-manufactured complete stack. Otherwise you’re just draining, swapping solenoids, refilling, testing, if that doesn’t work you’re draining (throwing away fluid and seal) fixing or replacing conductor plate, reusing solenoids, refilling, testing, etc.. With a shop time that isn’t more than $50 a hour cheaper than MB direct, and IF one has to do another rotation of troubleshooting, then you’re just throwing money away. In some ways, it’s makes sense, but personally I’d rather try some things first before swapping out the stack.
It’s just such a big nut and now I probably have 10K in hospital expense I hadn’t counted on at the start of last week. ;-(
Sadly, my local shop no longer seems to be a viable option. Change of ownership, only ONE person who can do MB work and some of the others onsite were actively smoking some cannabis during mid-day. It didn’t leave a good feeling.
I checked another recommended spot with good reputation.. they pretty much said the same thing. Drop the transmission valve body and replace with either direct OEM or MB re-manufactured complete stack. Otherwise you’re just draining, swapping solenoids, refilling, testing, if that doesn’t work you’re draining (throwing away fluid and seal) fixing or replacing conductor plate, reusing solenoids, refilling, testing, etc.. With a shop time that isn’t more than $50 a hour cheaper than MB direct, and IF one has to do another rotation of troubleshooting, then you’re just throwing money away. In some ways, it’s makes sense, but personally I’d rather try some things first before swapping out the stack.
It’s just such a big nut and now I probably have 10K in hospital expense I hadn’t counted on at the start of last week. ;-(
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 7
From: San Jose
2016 C450 AMG, 2009 C300, 2001 C320 2001 CLK430, 95 E500
I’ve got a line on a shop that might be able to remove the transmission valve body and they send it to a service center for repair/service, and then send it back.. at least then it’s from the original car and MIGHT be less Benjamin’s than a full R&R… not sure though.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,499
Likes: 6,347
thanks..yeah I’m not dying today. Fingers crossed..
I’ve got a line on a shop that might be able to remove the transmission valve body and they send it to a service center for repair/service, and then send it back.. at least then it’s from the original car and MIGHT be less Benjamin’s than a full R&R… not sure though.
I’ve got a line on a shop that might be able to remove the transmission valve body and they send it to a service center for repair/service, and then send it back.. at least then it’s from the original car and MIGHT be less Benjamin’s than a full R&R… not sure though.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 7
From: San Jose
2016 C450 AMG, 2009 C300, 2001 C320 2001 CLK430, 95 E500
oh for sure… i had four more hours of tests and dr. Appt on Friday,,, but I can’t leave the car where it is, the Benz dealer has been considerate, but if I’m maybe not getting it done there for $$$, then I need to tow it somewhere.. home probably just doesn’t work right now. So, yeah couldn’t be worse timing all around.
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,499
Likes: 6,347
oh for sure… i had four more hours of tests and dr. Appt on Friday,,, but I can’t leave the car where it is, the Benz dealer has been considerate, but if I’m maybe not getting it done there for $$$, then I need to tow it somewhere.. home probably just doesn’t work right now. So, yeah couldn’t be worse timing all around.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 7
From: San Jose
2016 C450 AMG, 2009 C300, 2001 C320 2001 CLK430, 95 E500
Well, in the end we had to just bite the bullet and have the Benz dealer do the work. A) I had limited time to try and find alternates, and what I WAS able to find is that here in the Bay Area there are really only ~ 4 shops that could even DO this type of remove and possibly repair. Two shops I did speak with said, they had no idea if they could either get the conductor plate from mercedes for this car (it’s a C450, so AMG tranny and parts under there) or B) get a third party to do the service and remanufacture/repair. Even then, it was still going to be X 0000’s to just R&R and then try and send out the conductor plate, replace all the solenoids, etc.. B) Mercedes was apparently back ordered on the valve body even from a different dealer. So, there was no telling if a different place could get the part and R&R it. Even then it would have saved maybe $1000. I was hoping to find a third party that could for ~$2500-3000 get it all sorted, and maybe with enough time something could have been found. But, in the end, we needed the car back and for ~ $6400 all in (jeezeus mama!) with a 2yr. Warranty on parts and service it’s done. Most I’ve even paid for any work on a car, and I’ve had Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Triumph, Audi, among others.. Oh well, life throws this s..t at us sometimes just to make sure we’re watching.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,499
Likes: 6,347
Well, in the end we had to just bite the bullet and have the Benz dealer do the work. A) I had limited time to try and find alternates, and what I WAS able to find is that here in the Bay Area there are really only ~ 4 shops that could even DO this type of remove and possibly repair. Two shops I did speak with said, they had no idea if they could either get the conductor plate from mercedes for this car (it’s a C450, so AMG tranny and parts under there) or B) get a third party to do the service and remanufacture/repair. Even then, it was still going to be X 0000’s to just R&R and then try and send out the conductor plate, replace all the solenoids, etc.. B) Mercedes was apparently back ordered on the valve body even from a different dealer. So, there was no telling if a different place could get the part and R&R it. Even then it would have saved maybe $1000. I was hoping to find a third party that could for ~$2500-3000 get it all sorted, and maybe with enough time something could have been found. But, in the end, we needed the car back and for ~ $6400 all in (jeezeus mama!) with a 2yr. Warranty on parts and service it’s done. Most I’ve even paid for any work on a car, and I’ve had Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Triumph, Audi, among others.. Oh well, life throws this s..t at us sometimes just to make sure we’re watching.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 7
From: San Jose
2016 C450 AMG, 2009 C300, 2001 C320 2001 CLK430, 95 E500
The very hard part was that TWO of the FOUR alternate places I went to who could even do this, said that they had been totally unable to even GET the conductor plate from MBUSA..either wouldn’t send it, or not available or OOS every time. So, one is then dealing with a third party to possible test/repair/remanufacture. Even THEN, there really isn’t a guarantee that as I said, one could get the part/s, but even a third party could repair/remanufacture and even THEN they aren’t going to guarantee it to ANOTHER third party to do the install, and correctly. And even after THAT, they probably would only put a 90 day warranty on the work, if the parts
Most of the third parties would still quote something like 8-10 hours service time all in (probably hedging) and yes, lower shop rates (~$220 vs. $300 dealer) and that if possible, they would re-use possibly the valve body, obviously re-man the conductor plate, most likely all new solenoids still ($ 800-1000), fluids, seals, programming time, testing, etc…still would have been ~ 2750-3500 easy.
A 2nd Benz dealer (not SJC) said they could do it a bit less (the $5500 quote) but that at the moment the part wasn’t listed as available from MBUSA (not sure if that was the valve body or conductor plate, I’m pretty sure the solenoids would have been available).
So, yeah it was huge bummer and the timing couldn’t have been worse all around. (See above posts)
