tweedlet

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here on MBWorld. I bought a used 99 ML430 last week from a private owner (no warranty). Knew a few things needed fixed- new tires, A/C didnt work, horn, etc, but took it for a test drive and drove smooth, shifted smooth and sounded good. The BAS/ESP light is also on, the guy said its been on since he's owned it and hasnt had a problem with that.

Fast forward to today. Running a few errands, when I go to drive off from the drive thru, it wont budge. Give it a bit more gas and I hear a few clunks, and I manage to get it into a parking spot. Turned it off and back on again, wont move. Give it a bit more gas and it lurches forward. Turned it off and on again, and put it into low range. It seemed to drive ok, so I started on my short (4 mi) drive home. About a mile from home, just lost all power. Felt like major transmission slippage. Press on the gas and nothing.

Its towed home, and sitting in my garage. I definitely was not expecting this when I bought the car. Live and learn I guess. I was planning on doing all of the other work myself- so I am fairly comfortable with doing my own work. Pulled the codes and got a P0700 and P0715. Where to start looking? Ive read others on here replace the transmission conductor plate. Is this a good place to start? Id rather not just throw parts at it if possible.

Thanks in advance.

tweedlet

Found this on my alldata for the ML430. Gonna give this a try first unless anyone has any better ideas?

Maj. Dundee

Correct, you found the right info. But you should read the link below starting at post #18.

Remove the small heat shield that protects the 13 pin connector and separate the wire connector (this must be done while the engine is cold) If you have trans. fluid between the two halves then the part must be replaced.

Then you must find a local mech. who has a professional scanner like Snap-On, MAC, OTC, etc. who can document and clear the codes after you replace the part. Please read all posts after #18.

https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...row-towel.html

tweedlet

Thanks for the reply. So in addition to the things I plan on checking, I will definitely take a look at this 13 pin connector that you talk about in the thread you linked to.

Also, it sounds like I should look at the ABS pump as well. The BAS/ESP light has been on, and it looks like that was also discussed in the thread you linked to (post 23).

I wont have a chance to really dig into the problem until late this weekend or next week, but Ill post updates as to what I find. If you have any more insight into the problem it would be appreciated!

Thanks

tweedlet

just started tearing into the ML430 transmission. im going to drop the pan and take a look at everything in there, and probably replace the conductor plate. in prep to drop the pan, i drained the transmission fluid. im guessing it was the original fluid because it was a green/gray/black color, but smelled like transmission fluid... i thought trans fluid was red?

also, i took the 13 pin connector apart, and it was full of the same fluid. im guessing this is the problem?

tweedlet

nevermind dropped the pan and valve body to find this... looks like the transmission is garbage. it literally looks like a grenade went off in the transmission.