Slipping from 2nd to 3rd or 3rd to 4th , not fluid, not filter, not connector, or TCM, but instead:
Regulating Pressure Control Valve Spring.

In the threads where I found this info, the guy was saying that it affects model: 95-99 with 722.6 only... Is that right? the syptom is exactly like mine.. and I dont get harsh shifting or "weird" shifting it just shifts normally a few times then slips between 3-4 and then goes into safty mode leaving you in 3rd or 4th.. next time you turn on and off its back to normal.. so its not limping

 

Yours should not be affected (although it does not mean it is not broken ) because the affected spring is up to transmission end no. 6341191097

 

tnx ill crawl under there and see what the number is on it exactly

 

You can use your VIN or data card to get the transmission number (if your transmission is original).

 

how lol?
sry momentary brain failure there: ... i take it its just one of the numbers stamped on it?

 

Put your VIN here:

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

The info should also be in your document package that came with the car.

 

it awnsered:
Transmission 722626 02 961873
and told me other interesting things about it!!! and a few unrecognised code hehe is it safe to share that info online? or could you car get cloned?

 

Brief version

VIN xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Model E 320 CDI
Chassis xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Engine 613961 30 058294
Transmission 722626 02 961873
Order 0 1 513 12646
Lights HELLA
Cab 00000
Delivery date 01.06.01
Dealer Belgium (513)
Interior leather anthracite (211)
Paint
744 brilliant silver metallic (с 1991)
Options
K01 exhaust system, specific countries
control code for alarm siren (frequency) (с 24.02.1997)
tank/exhaust system, specific countries
026 production test new engines (ECE-chassis with USA-engine) (с 19.06.1996)
205 owner's manual and maintenance booklet 2) (с 01.11.1971)
reference plate, coolant 2)
213 parameter steering (с 01.07.1989)
249 automatically dipping inside rear view mirror (с 01.06.1990)
414 electric tilting/sliding roof in glass version (с 01.10.1988)
423 5 speed automatic transmission / nag (с 01.03.1994)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
543 sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
551 anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
600 headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
611 courtesy lamps for front and rear doors, with W124 also for central doors/W202 front doors only (с 01.11.1978)
617 headlamps and fog lamps or additional high beam light, amber, and additional halogen fog lamp (from april 1st, 1970); additional turn signal lamps for italy, and rear turn signal lamps, orange
xenon headlight asymmetric, left driving traffic (с 01.03.1994)
677 avantgarde chassis (с 01.01.1997)
680 Unknown code
682 fire extinguisher (с 01.04.1970)
693 blue heat insulating glass, side and rear windows, rear window laminated safety glass, windscreen clear glass
blue heat insulating glass all round, tinted strip rear window single pane safety glass (с 01.10.1994)
802 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
876 interior light assembly (с 01.10.1997)
882 passenger compartment protection/towing-off protection (with anti-theft warning system only) (с 01.07.1993)
954 equipment package for avantgarde vehicles (с 01.06.1993)
rotating emergeny flasher, front (red light)
984 elimination of ownership certificate but with coc papers (с 01.06.1993)
210A Unknown code

 

i have started to suspect that every gasket / o-ring seal has failed and over the years a serious amount of trany fluid has escaped or vapourised and or got contaminated too... also did I mention before that some else must of fooled around with the trany before me and might of filled it with garbage.. as the red tag was missing in action.. my gearbox indy tells me that even mercedes would over look that heh....
food for thought

and btw i found some Shell ATF that stated MB Aproval and had 736.9 stated on it... would that cut the mustard... ?

 

my tranny # is 722605 00 285208. does that mean that i need to replace the spring? only a few months ago i replaced the conductor plate along with the tranny fluid/filter and i didn't know about the spring being talked about. is it ok if i just change it next time i change the tranny fluid/filter in a couple of years, or should i go ahead and change it now?

 

tirona: If yours is shifting fine, just check it the next time you do fluids. The spring is actually made of heavy gauge steel (for its size) so I am surprised some got broken.

I just replaced the conductor plate today and all is well. I used MaxLife. I also posted a DIY writeup in benzworld.

 

thanx loubapache. i hope you don't get the p0715 code anymore. so far i haven't, so the conductor plate must have been the answer.

 

Yes. I can see why they fail. I detailed it in the DIY on benzworld.