funkedup

this is my first post on a car forum ever!! i usually go threw the forums and find the answer within a couple days but cant seem to fin solution. this is my moms car and she is 78 years young and i hate seeing her going threw this trouble. we took the car to dealer to get diagnosed and it found the problem. oil wicked its way up the wiring harness into the tcm. need a new tcm. my question is how can i replace the tcm myself without having to pay the 2600 dollars for dealer to do it? PLEASE HELP ME btw its a 98 e320 w210 rwd.

Plutoe

There are millions of posts\movies\novels\short stories on this subject all over the web--be patient and search and when you find one you understand go for it---it's loads of patience and attention to detail and don't forget to eliminate the problem and replace the connector\gasket set on the transmission end---removing he TUC is the easy part, opening it up and cleaning the boards with a board cleaner----well!!

fabbrisd1

Don't feel panic - since you car is 18yrs old - from experience from this forum - you have a better way to go:

1. No - 95% of the time the Tranny Control Module can be recovered - and the source of the flui stopped

2. At the tranny - replace the transmission connector plug - see the stickies here - buy ONLY genuine MB/Mopar plug - about $14

3. Buy a $9 can of MAF cleaner - which is a non-residue/non-ammonia electronics cleaner

Total "investment" you have what you need.

Search for forum for straight-talk instructions - find the pictures too - all to the good !

PSDCampervan

<--- here is a video showing an extreme case & plan of action for fix.

funkedup

Ive replaced the conductor plate 13 pin connector and cleaned out the tcm vigorously twice. Had the codes cleared and they still come back. Is there any way to get another tcm off ebay and reprogram it to the vin on my mercedes? I have MB Star C4. i just want to get this car running and not have to junk it. Please can some mercedes genius help me

kajtek1

2 years on the project huh?
Contact Deplore on benzworld.
He is indy programming technician.

Plutoe

It's been two years since you reported your dear mother having trouble with her car. Now you believe its a faulty TCM....assuming you go this route you need a used tcm with the correct part number and it must be or have been virginized to accept the new off line flashing for your VIN that you can accomplish with your DAS. That also assumes that you have the appropriate off line flashing disk and the smarts to do the job-------do not be fooled by the less learned....make sure you have the correct part number

P0TAT0

plutoe,
are you 100% sure that the TCM for this year/model must be a virgin? I have read contradicting info on the web and was about to swap mine out with a salvaged one. I don’t want to mess anything up so any insight is greatly appreciated!

fabbrisd1

I have not personally seen a "faulty" W210 TCM - I have seen close to 100 that have been "flooded" and they all recovered with the correct care - except for one guy that used a hot hair dryer to "quick dry" after cleaning - I have no idea of what that particular guy had to do.

This thread has a pretty extensive discussion - with input from several well experienced forum members - a good read - as there are instances where TCM issue lead to diagnosis of conductor plate replacement as well:

https://www.benzworld.org/threads/tc...o-vin.2788049/

davmil2002

What are the symptoms of TCM issues please? Infrequently my 1999 E320 hangs in a low gear. So far, pulling over and putting it in Park then continuing on solves the problem.

fabbrisd1

Davmil - the issue you are describing can be "Limp Mode" - where the transmission is locking-itself-down to protect itself from more serious damage.

There are a couple of things you can do:

1. Do a forum or youtube search search for Tranny Plug (something like this) which is the electrical plug in the tranny that internally leaks - causing incorrect communication to the TCM (transmission control module). Replace with genuine MB or Mopar part only (like $15 part)

2. Forum/youtube search for TCM cleaning - on how to pull and clean this "board" with a $9 can of MAF

3. Forum/youtube search on how to check tranny fluid level

4. Forum search TCM "reset"

4. Consider how/where to have basic tranny service done if 1-4 don't solve your problem

khomer2

Have you tried scanning for codes. Borrow a good scanner if you can. Or least take it to an indie to get it properly scanned Post any codes you have.
Any possible history on how this limp mode came about?

fabbrisd1

Without doing 1 + 2 above - then a scan will be based on "mis-communication" and give you wrong/incorrect codes..

khomer2

If I recall, scanning will still provide a saved error code for a fault, correct?

davmil2002

I appreciate and thank you for your guidance.

asim8

I find this post very useful to reset my vehicle transmission control module. Read Here