Transmission Communication
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
w212
Transmission Communication
Hello Everyone,
I have a early 2010 e350 that developed error code U0101. Obviously the car is in limp home mode and while changing from park to drive or reverse its an extremely hard engagement. Vehicle is immaculate and always serviced including transmission. Current mileage is 70k. I checked the obvious like fuses and connections at transmission. I'm leaning towards conductor plate but can't seem to find too many failures in that model year on the boards. Anything else I'm missing? Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.
Respectfully
I have a early 2010 e350 that developed error code U0101. Obviously the car is in limp home mode and while changing from park to drive or reverse its an extremely hard engagement. Vehicle is immaculate and always serviced including transmission. Current mileage is 70k. I checked the obvious like fuses and connections at transmission. I'm leaning towards conductor plate but can't seem to find too many failures in that model year on the boards. Anything else I'm missing? Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.
Respectfully
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6,601
Likes: 6,547
From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
U is for communication and not mechanical issue per se.
Try to see the CAN-BUS wiring for it and scope it to see if data communication is really missing.
ADD :
I think I need to make clearer.
CAN-BUS is like the telephone line between Tranny Computer to engine computer and the central gateway and other related computer/s.
Since any mechanical action from tranny must be known to other related computer/s , loosing this communication will make the mechanical parts of the tranny lost without instruction.
For us the user, we think that mechanically the tranny is unable to do X Y Z, but in reality it is not getting the proper command or not issuing its state of mechanical position/being.
So lacking the required coordination the CAN-BUS is supposed to bridge that communication needs, mechanical issue is the result.
I hope my explanation makes sense.
Try to see the CAN-BUS wiring for it and scope it to see if data communication is really missing.
ADD :
I think I need to make clearer.
CAN-BUS is like the telephone line between Tranny Computer to engine computer and the central gateway and other related computer/s.
Since any mechanical action from tranny must be known to other related computer/s , loosing this communication will make the mechanical parts of the tranny lost without instruction.
For us the user, we think that mechanically the tranny is unable to do X Y Z, but in reality it is not getting the proper command or not issuing its state of mechanical position/being.
So lacking the required coordination the CAN-BUS is supposed to bridge that communication needs, mechanical issue is the result.
I hope my explanation makes sense.
Last edited by S-Prihadi; Dec 5, 2022 at 02:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
w212
U is for communication and not mechanical issue per se.
Try to see the CAN-BUS wiring for it and scope it to see if data communication is really missing.
ADD :
I think I need to make clearer.
CAN-BUS is like the telephone line between Tranny Computer to engine computer and the central gateway and other related computer/s.
Since any mechanical action from tranny must be known to other related computer/s , loosing this communication will make the mechanical parts of the tranny lost without instruction.
For us the user, we think that mechanically the tranny is unable to do X Y Z, but in reality it is not getting the proper command or not issuing its state of mechanical position/being.
So lacking the required coordination the CAN-BUS is supposed to bridge that communication needs, mechanical issue is the result.
I hope my explanation makes sense.
Try to see the CAN-BUS wiring for it and scope it to see if data communication is really missing.
ADD :
I think I need to make clearer.
CAN-BUS is like the telephone line between Tranny Computer to engine computer and the central gateway and other related computer/s.
Since any mechanical action from tranny must be known to other related computer/s , loosing this communication will make the mechanical parts of the tranny lost without instruction.
For us the user, we think that mechanically the tranny is unable to do X Y Z, but in reality it is not getting the proper command or not issuing its state of mechanical position/being.
So lacking the required coordination the CAN-BUS is supposed to bridge that communication needs, mechanical issue is the result.
I hope my explanation makes sense.
Thank You
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
w212
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
to diagnose physical CAN connection problemss, you need an oscilloscope as CAN is a high frequency digital signal.
this is kind of lengthy, and I forget where in here he got down to the canbus signal level, but this guy diagnoses communications problems on a 2010 W212 AMG E63, it takes him a total of 5 episode to diagnose and repair.
in /this/ case, the problem turned out to be a bad ECU, and when he replaced the ECU, he had to update its firmware AND code it properly to match the VIN and its options, which he managed to do with a 3rd party tool.
this is kind of lengthy, and I forget where in here he got down to the canbus signal level, but this guy diagnoses communications problems on a 2010 W212 AMG E63, it takes him a total of 5 episode to diagnose and repair.
in /this/ case, the problem turned out to be a bad ECU, and when he replaced the ECU, he had to update its firmware AND code it properly to match the VIN and its options, which he managed to do with a 3rd party tool.
Last edited by Left Coast Geek; Dec 5, 2022 at 05:34 PM.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 285
From: Republic of Texas
W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
I'm sure it's the conductor plate/TCU issue. It's one of the many failures of the famous 722.9 conductor plate. We replace tons of these a week. They were out of stock for a bit. Technically, if there is no communication with conductor plate, a complete valvebody assembly is the correct repair. But, flow data from a similar vehicle can be used. I will highly recommend to go with a new/reman unit. The issue with this is that only shops with VSP licensing can purchase from dealer.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6,601
Likes: 6,547
From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
Pary,
If you want to , and enjoy learning and has the luxury of NOT USING the car for sometime, by all means have a go troubleshooting the basic possibility first before heading to conductor plate as adviced by MBENZTECH.
This is a good video explaining if indeed the CAN-BUS wire or connection is the problem and not the TCM.
If only for CAN-BUS, a non automotive pico is good enough, its low end one, 2 channel version. 2204a . US$165
https://www.picotech.com/oscilloscop...-2000-overview
The one on the video is a channel 4425a and is a US$2,000 starter kit version.
Your error code U0101 is most likely issued by the engine computer, as the TCM if no communication, its CAN-BUS or communication state of well being is reported by other modules and not the TCM itself.
I know it sucks when after all the test and the final bad dude is the conductor plate, well the CAN-BUS transreceiver chip is in there too and you can't replace the chip only. Assuming only the CAN BUS chip is the culprit.
But, as I said, if you enjoy learning, go for the education and experience too.
Good luck...
If you want to , and enjoy learning and has the luxury of NOT USING the car for sometime, by all means have a go troubleshooting the basic possibility first before heading to conductor plate as adviced by MBENZTECH.
This is a good video explaining if indeed the CAN-BUS wire or connection is the problem and not the TCM.
If only for CAN-BUS, a non automotive pico is good enough, its low end one, 2 channel version. 2204a . US$165
https://www.picotech.com/oscilloscop...-2000-overview
The one on the video is a channel 4425a and is a US$2,000 starter kit version.
Your error code U0101 is most likely issued by the engine computer, as the TCM if no communication, its CAN-BUS or communication state of well being is reported by other modules and not the TCM itself.
I know it sucks when after all the test and the final bad dude is the conductor plate, well the CAN-BUS transreceiver chip is in there too and you can't replace the chip only. Assuming only the CAN BUS chip is the culprit.
But, as I said, if you enjoy learning, go for the education and experience too.
Good luck...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
w212
All excellent suggestions and it gives me less of tunnel vision when it's time to troubleshoot. I was under the impression that later models of 722.9 have less failures of the conductor plate but regardless of the way how well the vehicle looks the years are definitely adding up.
Respectfully
Pete
Respectfully
Pete
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
w212
Finally had some time to check things out. The connector at transmission checks out just fine so next step was to order a refurbished conductor plate. With old plate my scanner says no tcm communication so I plugged in the new plate just to see if I get communication and viola tcm is communicating properly. Next weekend is the swap.
Thank You
Thank You
