faulty transmission control module
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2016
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98 e320
faulty transmission control module
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.
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A gaggle of MB's
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 !
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 !
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2
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98 e320
still trying to fix
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
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98 E 320
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
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!
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A gaggle of MB's
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/
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/
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A gaggle of MB's
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
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
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From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
Any possible history on how this limp mode came about?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 140
From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
