Transmission Help
06-05-2009, 09:58 PM
#1
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Transmission Help
Hey Guys,
Can someone help this Gentleman? His is new to the forum and isn't familiar with starting a new thread.
Welcome to the forum
Can someone help this Gentleman? His is new to the forum and isn't familiar with starting a new thread.
Soo I am having a problem 
. I am doing my ex-wife a favor and working on her 97 E320 with a 722.6 tranny and have encountered some issues. After her original transmission went bad (front pump went out and kept going into limp mode) I installed a known good tranny from the wrecking yard out of the same year/model car along with a new filter and MB synthetic fluid through the dip tube using the MB fluid level tool. After installation the transmission will not shift out of 1st (or 2nd..not sure which one its in) and the check engine light light is on giving off a code of P0730. That code reads as "improper gear ratio" on the web but the dealer told me that the book just states that it indicates there are codes that need to be read in the Transmission Control Unit which I didnt read yet. I have heard different stories and do not know what to believe...one shop says I may need to have them clear the codes and initialize the software to take it out of limp mode....another says that the valve body in the new trans may be a different version than the control unit...and another said that solenoid plate or something might be bad. Like I said I am doing this as a favor for my ex because she is very short on money and couldnt afford the labor costs for the tranny install and now we are still in the same boat with no real answer on what is going on. Any ideas out there? What sounds like the likely culprit? What should I do first? BTW, when the old tranny was in it would work fine when it was cold shifting through all the gears, but once it heated up it the front pump would start grinding and then it would go into limp mode and eventually wouldnt move until it cooled off again. Now it doesnt shift at all cold or hot and it also bangs into gear when putting it into DRIVE or REVERSE.
. I am doing my ex-wife a favor and working on her 97 E320 with a 722.6 tranny and have encountered some issues. After her original transmission went bad (front pump went out and kept going into limp mode) I installed a known good tranny from the wrecking yard out of the same year/model car along with a new filter and MB synthetic fluid through the dip tube using the MB fluid level tool. After installation the transmission will not shift out of 1st (or 2nd..not sure which one its in) and the check engine light light is on giving off a code of P0730. That code reads as "improper gear ratio" on the web but the dealer told me that the book just states that it indicates there are codes that need to be read in the Transmission Control Unit which I didnt read yet. I have heard different stories and do not know what to believe...one shop says I may need to have them clear the codes and initialize the software to take it out of limp mode....another says that the valve body in the new trans may be a different version than the control unit...and another said that solenoid plate or something might be bad. Like I said I am doing this as a favor for my ex because she is very short on money and couldnt afford the labor costs for the tranny install and now we are still in the same boat with no real answer on what is going on. Any ideas out there? What sounds like the likely culprit? What should I do first? BTW, when the old tranny was in it would work fine when it was cold shifting through all the gears, but once it heated up it the front pump would start grinding and then it would go into limp mode and eventually wouldnt move until it cooled off again. Now it doesnt shift at all cold or hot and it also bangs into gear when putting it into DRIVE or REVERSE.
06-05-2009, 10:11 PM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
You do need to clear the codes (DTC) in the transmission control unit (ETC or EGS) before the transmission will shift again. When in limp mode, there is no power to the solenoids so no shifting. The banging into gear is also "normal" when in limp.
The EGS codes can only be cleared by scanners or software/interface that can read and clear Mercedes EGS codes. If there is a dealer or Indie close by that has the equipment, they may charge you one hour to clear the codes. Then the transmission needs to be re-adapted but you can do that yourself.
This is most probably your only problem now, although there is no guarantee that the used transmission is good.
The EGS codes can only be cleared by scanners or software/interface that can read and clear Mercedes EGS codes. If there is a dealer or Indie close by that has the equipment, they may charge you one hour to clear the codes. Then the transmission needs to be re-adapted but you can do that yourself.
This is most probably your only problem now, although there is no guarantee that the used transmission is good.
06-05-2009, 10:38 PM
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1997 Mercedes E320
Oh and also...is that normal for it to automatically go into limp mode when a new transmission is installed or is it only reading stored data from the previous transmission's failure? Thanks for your help!!
06-05-2009, 10:38 PM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
When a different transmission is installed on to the original control unit, you need to re-adapt or it would sometimes shift like crazy. Basically you shift through all gears 4 - 5 times without exceeding 1800 rpm, then idle for at least 10 minutes.
Clearing the codes is the number 1 issue.
06-05-2009, 10:39 PM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
Your limp mode was trigged by the old transmission. Since you never cleared the codes in the EGS, it is still in limp when you installed the second transmission.
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06-05-2009, 10:48 PM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
You can put a brand new transmission with a control module with codes in it and it still would be in limp.
You have all the info you need now. Just find someone who can clear code for you.
Bye.
06-06-2009, 08:08 AM
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2001 E320 Avant turbo diesel
06-06-2009, 08:31 AM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
Since you are in Europe, there are many ATF that meet the Mercedes specs, in addition to the one from the dealer (of course). Some actually say DEX III so that is not the determinant if it mneets MB specs or not. You need to look at the bottle to see if it carries the Mercedes specs or equivalent. You need at least 236.10 or ATF 3403 (that is the minimum for the 722.6 transmission).
Shell, Fuchs, Mobil, Febi, etc all make fluid that meeting the Mercedes 236.10, 12, or 14 specs.
Shell, Fuchs, Mobil, Febi, etc all make fluid that meeting the Mercedes 236.10, 12, or 14 specs.
06-06-2009, 08:39 AM
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loubapache, the bottle had no remarks on it regarding 236.10+ or ATF 3430, it was by "Carlube" ATF-Q3 .. and carlubes website was also failing to mention what specs it was.
I could not find anything regarding ATF-Q3 either
One Foreign guy that claims he worked at MB stootgart for 9 years swears youu will regret putting any kind of dexron or mecron fluid into the electronic tranny
So I am hoping that MB will give me a discount on 9 1ltr bottles of there crap ;(
I could not find anything regarding ATF-Q3 either
One Foreign guy that claims he worked at MB stootgart for 9 years swears youu will regret putting any kind of dexron or mecron fluid into the electronic tranny
So I am hoping that MB will give me a discount on 9 1ltr bottles of there crap ;(
06-06-2009, 08:44 AM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
The guy worked at "stootgart" is right but it does not have to be the fluid from the dealer.
The key is the fluid meeting and carrying the Mercedes specs. The dealer fluid is actually made by some of the OEM mentioned above. Some even print the Mercedes part number on the bottle.
It is us USA folks that have limited choice because these fluids meeting the Mercedes specs are not officially marketed in the USA.
The key is the fluid meeting and carrying the Mercedes specs. The dealer fluid is actually made by some of the OEM mentioned above. Some even print the Mercedes part number on the bottle.
It is us USA folks that have limited choice because these fluids meeting the Mercedes specs are not officially marketed in the USA.
06-06-2009, 08:57 AM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
In Europe, any of the following fluids can be used in your 722.6 transmissin. These fluids are OFFICIALLY certified by Mercedes for the respective spcs sheets.
236.10
Shell ATF 3403-M 115
236.12
Aral Getriebeol ATF M12
Fuchs Titan ATF 3353
Mobil ATF 3353
Shell ATF 3353
236.14
Fuchs TITAN ATF 4134
Fuchs TITAN EG ATF 134
Mobil ATF 134
Shell ATF134
236.10
Shell ATF 3403-M 115
236.12
Aral Getriebeol ATF M12
Fuchs Titan ATF 3353
Mobil ATF 3353
Shell ATF 3353
236.14
Fuchs TITAN ATF 4134
Fuchs TITAN EG ATF 134
Mobil ATF 134
Shell ATF134
06-06-2009, 09:00 AM
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The guy worked at "stootgart" is right but it does not have to be the fluid from the dealer.
The key is the fluid meeting and carrying the Mercedes specs. The dealer fluid is actually made by some of the OEM mentioned above. Some even print the Mercedes part number on the bottle.
It is us USA folks that have limited choice because these fluids meeting the Mercedes specs are not officially marketed in the USA.
The key is the fluid meeting and carrying the Mercedes specs. The dealer fluid is actually made by some of the OEM mentioned above. Some even print the Mercedes part number on the bottle.
It is us USA folks that have limited choice because these fluids meeting the Mercedes specs are not officially marketed in the USA.
the problem is that when you goto a Spares place in the uk. they tend to either pull out some old bible/book or consult the all mighty and powerfull x86 micro computer and tell you that DEXIII/ATF3 is the one! -
ncd20 - "which one is that"
partsadvisor - "A Common one"
so I will try again and then demand that the bottle states either 3430 or 726.12
06-06-2009, 09:03 AM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
gotcha...
the problem is that when you goto a Spares place in the uk. they tend to either pull out some old bible/book and tell you that DEXIII/ATF3 is the one! -
ncd20 - "which one is that"
partsadvisor - "A Common one"
so I will try again and then demand that the bottle states either 3430 or 726.12
the problem is that when you goto a Spares place in the uk. they tend to either pull out some old bible/book and tell you that DEXIII/ATF3 is the one! -
ncd20 - "which one is that"
partsadvisor - "A Common one"
so I will try again and then demand that the bottle states either 3430 or 726.12
So
ncd20 - "I need ATF 3430"
partsadvisor - "There is no such thing"
ncd20 - "loubapache told me there is"
partsadvisor - "There is no such thing"
ncd20 - "Are you absolutely sure"
partsadvisor - "There is no such thing"
06-06-2009, 09:29 AM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
Are there large supermarket type of auto pars store? If yes, you can browse the fluid and check out yourself.
Or mail order. I am sure there are online vendors that sell this stuff in UK.
06-06-2009, 11:12 AM
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hey loubapache, just wondered down to the local motor factors, and europarts both report that there systems / books have no knowelege of ATF 3403 or 736.10, the locals books did however offer oil that was complaint with 736. but nothing near .10 hehe
so I will try one place GSF and just for ****s and giggles the evil known as halfords.
so I will try one place GSF and just for ****s and giggles the evil known as halfords.
06-06-2009, 11:17 AM
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2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
It is Mercedes spec sheets 236.10, 236.12, and 236.14. Your transmission is 722.6 so do not mix them up.
A better approach is to ask them to look up your transmission, then the fluid for it.
Many other Euro makers (BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Audi, etc.) use very similar transmissions (made by ZF and the code name is NAG1) and they have the same fluid requirements. So I am surprised you cannot find a fluid for it.
Take the list in my post number 17 with you and let them see.
A better approach is to ask them to look up your transmission, then the fluid for it.
Many other Euro makers (BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Audi, etc.) use very similar transmissions (made by ZF and the code name is NAG1) and they have the same fluid requirements. So I am surprised you cannot find a fluid for it.
Take the list in my post number 17 with you and let them see.
I was fearing they might see the tranny number and get confused them self
