2004 e320 70,000 miles transmission smoked?
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Joined: Oct 2024
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From: San diego
2004 e320
2004 e320 70,000 miles transmission smoked?
Hope this is in the right place. I got a great deal on a low miles e320 it’s a 2004 79,000 original miles . The guy I got it from did the classic conductor plate and it ran fine for 4 months then it ended up in limp mode he parked had enough posted it for sale . Here is where I come along I was barely able to move it for the tow truck to bring it to my place it was slipping bad. Got a good scanner and got these codes :p2500 p2561 p220a p2562 p2560 p0715 I cleared the codes jacked up the car and inspected the bottom found the transmission electrical connector leaking it looked relatively new I assume replaced with the kit he installed . My assumption is with the bottom covers on and the slow leak he never knew what was going on and after 4 months enough fluid came out to put him in limp mode . After I discovered the leak I drained the fluid from the transmission and there was enough fluid to fill a Gatorade bottle 28oz. Fluid was not looking good considering it’s only 4 months old . Now what I did was replace the electrical connector , new pan gasket and filled the transmission I did purchase the special dip stick but I was not on even ground so I put about half gallon of fluid in it started the car and let it warm up and it wasn’t slipping as much I don’t have a lot of experience driving this car so not sure what normal is I drove it around my parking lot a couple times and all seemed ok when I was pulling into park it started slipping and then I got p2561 and p2220 I didn’t write them down but I’m pretty sure that’s what they were and now I’m asking you experts did this 79,000 mile transmission get smoked from lack of fluid I also should mention I did change the filter too
Last edited by Twisted0880; Oct 9, 2024 at 12:48 AM.
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From: Chicago Illinois
2007 SL550, 2008 E550, 2011 E350, 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV
I've had decent luck with Lubegard Red/Platinum additives in old worn/poorly serviced transmissions. Might be worth a shot... was the conductor plate repaired or replaced?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2024
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From: San diego
2004 e320
The transmission only has 79000 miles on it I might be wrong about the second code I’m going to go check it right now the conductor plate was just done not by me I don’t know if he did it correctly the thing that bothered me most was the lack of fluid when I drained it .once it entered limp mode he immediately stopped driving it
about how much fluid should be added if only draining the pan and replacing the filter?
about how much fluid should be added if only draining the pan and replacing the filter?
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Your 2 codes are related. P220a indicates that speed sensor 2 and speed sensor 3 are not reading the correct relative values for the gear the transmission is using, usually 2nd at take off with comfort selected. So, either the sensors are bad on the conductor plate (I think both are in the same component, but it’s been a while since I’ve been in a 722.6 tranny), or one of the clutches or brakes is malfunctioning. The problem could also be caused by low fluid level. If it’s low, the torque converter demand will leave the solenoids high and dry. The dry fill for the 722.6 is 8 liters including torque converter. The transmission alone is about 4.5 liters. Find some level ground because you may need to add 2 more quarts (red) ATF 134 to the ½ gallon you put in, let the transmission get up to temperature and check the level. After it’s full, take it out for a test ride and hope for the best.
Last edited by Odd Piggy; Oct 12, 2024 at 01:58 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 4
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From: San diego
2004 e320
Your 2 codes are related. P220a indicates that speed sensor 2 and speed sensor 3 are not reading the correct relative values for the gear the transmission is using, usually 2nd at take off with comfort selected. So, either the sensors are bad on the conductor plate (I think both are in the same component, but it’s been a while since I’ve been in a 722.6 tranny), or one of the clutches or brakes is malfunctioning. The problem could also be caused by low fluid level. If it’s low, the torque converter demand will leave the solenoids high and dry. The dry fill for the 722.6 is 8 liters including torque converter. The transmission alone is about 4.5 liters. Find some level ground because you may need to add 2 more quarts (red) ATF 134 to the ½ gallon you put in, let the transmission get up to temperature and check the level. After it’s full, take it out for a test ride and hope for the best.
you are correct it was just low fluid. I haven’t driven super far but have gone on the freeway and drove through normal traffic not for a long time but with zero issues and no new codes as of yet . It shifted all gears and appears to be ok. Thanks for all the replies . I bought the car for 600$ I feel for under 80,000 miles it worked out good .
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
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2004 E 500 4MATIC Wagon; 2015 ML 350 4MATIC; †2003 C 240 4MATIC Wagon (2003-2022)
Anyhow, to know whether you really got a "great deal" for however long you expect to keep it is actually a fairly involved analysis... I could give you an opinion, but I'd first have to get the answers to roughly a dozen or more questions about the car. The thinking gets fairly complicated when it comes to these cars...especially, when they are 20+ year-old foreign luxury vehicles that aren't quite enthusiast spec and whose manufacturer and OE suppliers have recently started discontinuing a number of important parts for them...
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2008 E320 BlueTec, 1980 300 SD
