Disco

Just wondering anyone has any updates on the tranny problem? I'm planning to get a 99 C43 with 38k miles and am worried about the tranny problem. The C43 is out of warranty so if anyone has successfully have the tranny program updated please advise what I should do and how much it would cost for the update. Also will the reprogram totally eliminate future problems with the tranny or there are something else I have to look for?

Thanks a lot for all the help in advance. This forum is definitely very informative !!!

E55AMG99

While the listed repairs did reduce the occurrance of the problem (hitting rev limit on certain 1-2 shifts), they did not eliminate it completely. Personally, I have given up trying to solve it. Since the effected cars are out of warranty, officially, MB has too. The last letter I received said something about too small a problem effecting too few cars to pursue.

As harsh as that sounds, the car is increadible in every respect. I refuse to part with it.

JAYCL600

I have been dealing with the same problem for 2 years...I have given up...dealer only replaced MAS 2 times

fastneutron

After I had the transmission replaced/remapped, the transmission behaved properly (meaning smooth shifting with no lag at the top end). Eventually the original problem came back. The abrupt shift change that caused a loud "thug" sound also got worse when turning a corner and then punching it. So, I took it in to the dealer and asked them again about possibly remapping the the software again, but they told me that I had to change the flex disc and other parts to get rid of the thug sound. Anyhow it went away, but the lag is back again. I'm now going to replace the MAS because I've had the codes P0170 and 0173, which everyone is saying could be cost by a bad MAS. I also sprayed the MAS with carburator cleaner. After clearing the CEL, it didn't come on for 5 days. Now the CEL is back. So, I'm going to change the MAS next week.

What's crazy about this transmission problem is that it only happens on my C43. My wife's bone stock C43 shifts perfectly that I think it could beat my C43 even with the pulley, chip, and airbox mods. So, it seems that all the engine and suspension mods are useless because of the tranny issue. My wife's C43 came out of production only a few months later than mine.

Other than this, my car runs great in the freeway. So, it's a great commuter (LA, San Jose, Bakersfield back and forth). The only problem is when punching it off the line, the lag sucks.

C43

I heard unplugging the battery will clear out the trans. It just stared happening to me this week. If I floor it on the freeway it downshifts and wont upshift. This is annoying the hell out of me. I used to love the glide off of fifth gear. I am desperate. HOW CAN WE FIX THIS?

C43AMG

I just picked up my 98 C43 and had a issue with a tranny leak. My mechanic fixed the leak and "serviced" the tranny. I saw the fluid that was drained and it was black as expresso. He is a independent factory trained mechanic and he said the biggest problem is that everyone believes Mercedes that the tranny doesn't need any service until 100k. He said he was tired of this lie and he was taking pictures to take back with him to Stuggart to show the factory when he goes back for more training.He told me point blank " change the fluid and filter in this transmission every 30k and it will run forever.If there is anyone out there in the NJ,PA,DEL OR NY area in need of a GREAT mechanic check out his website : www.onlybenz.com

ProjectC55

I change mine every 3-4kmiles, believe it or not based on SpeedyBenz's advice.I never have or had any tranny isues with my C43 even with the E55 motor in it.

kchristos

Hi, I am about to purchase a 1999 C43 from a local MB dealer. The car has 58k miles on it. I am a little bit worried about the transmission problems mentioned in this forum. I did a test drive last Friday at the dealership. I didn't notice anything wrong with the transmission but I didn't drive the car hard.

Can anyone give me any advice of how to identify if the car has this problem before I buy it?

Thanks,
Christos

C43AMG

You never said where you were from - maybe someone knows of a mechanic in your area.If you buy it , see if the dealer will give you a 30 day warranty - or one long enough for you to take it to an independent mechanic who can go over it for you.If you do buy it get the tranny serviced a.s.a.p. - if they tell you it doesn't need servicing until 100k then ask them how come it isn't warrantied until 100k.

E55AMG99

On a clear open road, accellerate normally to about 20-25 and let it upshift into a higher gear than first. Floor the throttle so it downshifts back into first and hold it until it shifts back into second. If it hits the rev limiter before shifting, you have one of the screwed up transmission brains. AFAIK, there is no cure.

ProjectC55

I would chg the fluid and filter just for peace of mnd if you buy it. Use MB tranny fluid or Mobil 1 ATF.I use Amsoil and chg the fluid every 4k like Speedy Benz because I shift and drive the hell outta my car.So far No problems whatsoever 82k miles..

kchristos

First, thanks a lot for the help!

AMGC43: I live in South Florida (Ft. Lauderdale area), if anyone knows any mechanic specialized on these cars please let me know. The dealer offers 1 month, 1,000 miles warranty and I am negotiating to purchase additional extended warranty. (Dealer is asking for $2,400 for 12 months/15k miles. Isn't that a rip off?) The question is: is the dealer is going to fix this problem if it exists.

E55AMG99: Thanks for the explanation. I don't think I will be able to do this test before I purchase the car though. I don't want to give the poor salesperson a heart attack I will definitely test it after I get the car, the question is whether MB will fix it if the car has this problem.

E55AMG99

No problem kchristos. MBUSA told me and my dealer that they would NOT be fixing this particular problem since it affected so few vehicles and it posed no safety, drivability nor longevity problem (in their opinion). I would explain this situation to the dealer and tell him how you intend to test for it BEFORE you buy it. If he balks, I'd walk. If he lets you do it and the problem exists, you'll feel it as soon as the car tries to shift back into 2nd. It feels and sounds like you hit a wall. Now, the questions is what are you going to do 1) buy it as is, 2) negotiate for a lower price, 3) get a longer warranty at a lower price that will cover ALL trans problems...

Good luck,
Greg

kchristos

Hi E55AMG99, great advice thanks again.

About the price, he is asking for $21,900.00 for 1999 C43, 58k miles. Is it too much, what do you think?

E55AMG99

I'm not up to date on the C43 but 20K for a clean low (relative to years) mileage AMG car sounds pretty good. Make sure you work him WRT the transmission problem especially if he doesn't let you test it.

Jon R

I have never had a transmission problem in 35k, but my car always hits the red line before shifting. Does it have to bounce of the limiter or just hit the redline to be considered a problem transmission?

E55AMG99

I'll bet your car does not hit redline in the first to second gear shift no matter what the tachometer says. Not only is the accuracy suspect, MB seems to start the shift at 5750 or so (6000 redline). Aftermarket ECU program raised mine 200RPM. Other gear changes are closer to redline. Don't ask me why but maybe the transmission cannot shift fast enough to account for the accelleration rate of the vehicle in first gear.

Anyway, I digress. Yes, the engine must hit the rev limiter/fuel cutoff to have the problem I described. In my case, it is an embarassing event. 25MPH cruise in any gear except first. Full throttle downshift to first. Tires lose traction and squeal. ESP cuts power momentarily. Redline. Fuel cuts off. Compression braking. Tires squeal. ESP again. Shift. FULL throttle. Tires lose traction and squeal. ESP AGAIN! ARGH! Heaven forbid if the car is not perfectly straight. Even more electronic watchdogs come to the party.

Sounds and feels like you hit a wall. Literaly.

C43AMG

About the price, he is asking for $21,900.00 for 1999 C43, 58k miles. Is it too much, what do you think?[/QUOTE]


1999 C43 : EXTRA-CLEAN - $18,650.00 CLEAN : $17,850.00
AVERAGE : $15,050.00 ROUGH : $11,450.00

WHOLESALE PRICING - FROM THE DEALERS AUCTIONBOOK A.K.A. "BLACKBOOK" - USE THIS AS HIS COST AND WORK UP FROM THERE.

Jon R

E55AMG99

You're right. I just went around the block to check it out. I don't actually hit the redline from 1st to 2nd, but it does not bounce off the limiter so I guess I am in the clear for now.

It's odd, because I never had my transmission reprogrammed. I did, however, get a new ECU within the 1st month of buying my car new (Lights kept going off on the guages; under warranty). I don't know if this fixed anything, but I seem to be running strong.

E55AMG99

I'll bet that if your car does not hit the rev limiter under the conditions as I described, it probably never will. Only 2 out of 9 AMG cars I "know" intimately (friends) are infected so far. Mine is one of them and I found it within 30 days of new. According to MBUSA, I was the first to report it in May of 1999. In August of 2003 when I inquired about their progress, they finally told me they gave up.

Jon R

Yeah. Eveyone writing in with transmission problems had me getting worried. I feel like I might be able to relax for a while. thanks.

kchristos

Quote:
Originally posted by: coolcarlskiC43:
I have Magnacore wires,Green airfilters,denso iridium sparkplugs.I use Amsoil Euro synthetic 5W40 I believe it is.Stock fuel fiter and Amsoil ATF for the tranny.Amsoil gear oil for the diff.


Thanks for the information coolcarlskiC43. I will look into the parts you recommended when I get the car serviced. Is changing the transmission oil a complicated thing? Does it require any special procedure or just like any other car? After I do it it should last for another 60k miles before the oil will need to be replaced right?

Another thing, when I received the car, the shifter won't shift into manual gears. It goes only on "R", "N" and "D". I had the car checked by my mechanic and he says that the "Shifter Assembly" needs to be replaced. Has anyone had any similar problem?

Finally, a compliment for the car in your picture, the black especially looks awesome. Other than the engine what other mods have you done, the suspension looks lower than the stock C43.

Thanks!

C43AMG

[QUOTE=kchristos
Another thing, when I received the car, the shifter won't shift into manual gears. It goes only on "R", "N" and "D". I had the car checked by my mechanic and he says that the "Shifter Assembly" needs to be replaced. Has anyone had any similar problem? [/QUOTE]

Just had the shifter assembly replaced on my 00' c230k. $300.00 w/labor.Where are you from?

kchristos

Hi C43AMG, thanks for the reply. I am in Florida, the shifter Assembly is $424.00 from autohouse, my mechanic said that it found it from another place for $375. With ~3hrs labor it will cost about $600 to replace. If you have another place to get it cheaper please let me know. Thanks!

C43AMG

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