Dead transmission
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
1999 ML430
Dead transmission
The transmission in my 1999 ML430 (88,470 mi) quit in Toronto traffic yesterday. This occurred on the return segment of a trip from New Mexico to Boston, about 3,500 miles into the journey.
There was a forward lurch at low speed (1st gear), as if the car had been hit from behind, more jumping and lurching until it shifted into 2nd. I made it through several more traffic lights, having to stop at each with similar and every more violent symptoms. I was able to get the car into low range, and it seemed to like that better. I tried ESP off too. Finally I reached a red light on an uphill grade and the vehicle started rolling backward. There is no longer any connection between the Engine and the axles at all. No forward, no reverse. Nada.
There are no leaks, the undercarriage is completely dry and the coolant is its usual color, showing no signs of leaking through the radiator.
Needless to say, this is an expensive and troublesome event on Labor Day weekend. As I will be at the MB dealer bright and early on Tuesday, I would appreciate any comments that might enlighten. I am worried that the cost of the repair will relate to the total value of the vehicle (could easily cost 1/3 of the book value I assume).
I am a new member to this board so please excuse me if this is too long, etc.
There was a forward lurch at low speed (1st gear), as if the car had been hit from behind, more jumping and lurching until it shifted into 2nd. I made it through several more traffic lights, having to stop at each with similar and every more violent symptoms. I was able to get the car into low range, and it seemed to like that better. I tried ESP off too. Finally I reached a red light on an uphill grade and the vehicle started rolling backward. There is no longer any connection between the Engine and the axles at all. No forward, no reverse. Nada.
There are no leaks, the undercarriage is completely dry and the coolant is its usual color, showing no signs of leaking through the radiator.
Needless to say, this is an expensive and troublesome event on Labor Day weekend. As I will be at the MB dealer bright and early on Tuesday, I would appreciate any comments that might enlighten. I am worried that the cost of the repair will relate to the total value of the vehicle (could easily cost 1/3 of the book value I assume).
I am a new member to this board so please excuse me if this is too long, etc.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 2
From: nj
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
G, i wouldnt be too worried just yet... let the dealer see and diagnose the issue. alot of times our ml's are prone to stupid issues... it may be nothing... lets wait it out. let us know what they say.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 398
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From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
On a positive note, at least it quit on you in a large city where their should be a dealer or shop where it can be repaired and not out in the boondocks somewhere. Good luck and keep us informed of the outcome. 
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
1999 ML430
Originally Posted by azinn
On a positive note, at least it quit on you in a large city where their should be a dealer or shop where it can be repaired and not out in the boondocks somewhere. Good luck and keep us informed of the outcome.
The loud "crunching" sounds at downshift to 1st and the heavy metalic rattle when the car was stopped at the traffic lights (in drive) worry me the most. The Service Tech on the U.S. 1-800- line suggested that the problem might be sheared bolts between the torque converter and flywheel. I understood that from a cost standpoint, this would be a best case scenario...
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Grants Pass Oregon
2002 Mercedes Benz ML320
my moms old c230, went on to its 3rd owner a few months ago, and about 2 months ago, the transmission got grinded down, about 80% of the gears were all grinded up to no end.
mercedes benz wanted over 5 grand for the transmission brand new, so she went online, and found a rebuilt 5 speed automatic for it for 2300$. and its all good now, about 5-800$ for installation or something.
mercedes benz wanted over 5 grand for the transmission brand new, so she went online, and found a rebuilt 5 speed automatic for it for 2300$. and its all good now, about 5-800$ for installation or something.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
1999 ML430
The pan was full of filings and metal chunks. Ugly stuff. Maybe "sprag" bits?? Reman transmission was available from stock and reman torque converter is coming from nearby. The dealer has been very cooperative in expediting part sourcing and installation. Haven't seen the bill yet. Hopefully it will run and will hold up longer than the original unit.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
1999 ML430
UPDATE:
The rebuild 722.6 that the Toronto MB dealer installed seems fine. I headed directly out through rush hour traffic and made it to central Michigan after midnight.
The dealership was very helpful. The rounded up the replacement transmission and torque converter one day and had the car on the road the next afternoon, CAN$4,000 later. Ouch.
I still have no clue as to why this unit decided to self-destruct at a downtown intersection 2,000 miles from home with only 88,000 mostly highway miles on the vehicle. Hmmm.
The rebuild 722.6 that the Toronto MB dealer installed seems fine. I headed directly out through rush hour traffic and made it to central Michigan after midnight.
The dealership was very helpful. The rounded up the replacement transmission and torque converter one day and had the car on the road the next afternoon, CAN$4,000 later. Ouch.
I still have no clue as to why this unit decided to self-destruct at a downtown intersection 2,000 miles from home with only 88,000 mostly highway miles on the vehicle. Hmmm.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,705
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From: nj
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
Originally Posted by hecdog
sounds like maybe I SHOULD buy that extended coverage after all...$1500, hmmmm...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
1999 ML430
The MBUSA 1-800 tech mentioned something in the area of US$5,000 so I think it was cheaper in Canada.
Regarding the extended warrantee coverage, I did not purchase it and really don't think it is reasonable to anticipate such extreme mechanical failures in a vehicle that is not abused or used under severe operating conditions. The unit should have been better designed or/or built than that...
Regarding the extended warrantee coverage, I did not purchase it and really don't think it is reasonable to anticipate such extreme mechanical failures in a vehicle that is not abused or used under severe operating conditions. The unit should have been better designed or/or built than that...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 2
From: nj
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
5k is wrong... someone misquoted it to you. and it is definitely worth it. there is no deductible and it covers just about everything except cosmetics and electrical.
whoops... thanks for clarifying my error.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
1999 ML430
MBUSA indicated that there is definitely no recourse for the vehicle not covered by the extended warranty. Since the warranty covers hotel expenses, towing, etc., in this case, the cost of the warranty would definitely been less than the cost of the repair + expenses.
My other vehicles are Volvos (one has over 300,000 km and the other two over 100,000 miles) and an Infiniti. I have never experienced such as massive, complete and sudden breakdown as the ML transmission dished out in Toronto. It would be difficult for me to justify purchasing another Daimler product, at least in this life. Something was simply not properly engineered or built in this transmission.
My other vehicles are Volvos (one has over 300,000 km and the other two over 100,000 miles) and an Infiniti. I have never experienced such as massive, complete and sudden breakdown as the ML transmission dished out in Toronto. It would be difficult for me to justify purchasing another Daimler product, at least in this life. Something was simply not properly engineered or built in this transmission.
