S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

Transmission control module

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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 08:28 PM
  #1  
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2003 S430
Transmission control module

Hello
well i just got back from my dealer my airmatic pump stopped working but it was under warranty since they changed it in july of 2010 ! and i thought hey wow i only had to pay for the filter which was 16.50$ i got all happy
but BUT they call me in and told me that the data cable that is connected to the trans is leaking ( or sending oil to the transmission module ) now im not sure exactly if it was leaking or sending but hey said something about there is oil in the transmission control module and it need to be changed (replaced) ! with the data cable that is connected to the transmission now I'm BEGGING someone explain more about this and if it can be fixed somewhere else it costs 770$ i do have the money but i rather spend it on something else.
i did search the forum and i found a thread about oil leaking and oil in the connector im not sure if thats the same thing i don't see any problems with gear shifting or any problem what's so ever (either cold or hot weather) and i was wondering if there is oil in the tcm i don't think it will work or at least it will go in limp mode.. he said eventually it will and possibly you wont be able to get it out of park. why am i asking all these questions? is because i think they just wanna get their money back for fixing my air comp. under warranty ( thats what i think i could be wrong).
the parts costs around 500$ and labor is around 2 hrs. all i wanna know is how did this happen also if i can double check this by just looking at the connectors or under the car?.. if there is such thing as oil in the tcm and where is the tcm he said its in the transmission i know some of these questions are dumb specially the last one but you guys are the experts


thank you

Last edited by benzat17; Feb 9, 2011 at 08:34 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 09:01 PM
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ok after searching more and more on youtube and google found out 03-up tcm is in the transmission but still need more answers also found out i need to reprogram it something like that thank you
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 10:42 AM
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2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
If your transmission is not giving you problems, I suggest you change only the seal where the data cable plugs into the transmission, clean the connectors, and see if that works. A leaking seal there is a common problem.

If you aren't having shift problems, leave it alone after addressing the oil leak and cleaning the connector. If you do have problems, try resetting the adaptive transmission as mentioned in the W220 S-Class Owner's Encyclopedia sticky. Look at the last item under "Transmission."

If you have shift problems after doing that, you may need a new TCM.
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 07:06 PM
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ok great thank you but one more thing.. how do i check where is the seal? can i buy the seal and do it my self? or it needs a dealer? the data cable is like 35$ if i buy the data cable would the seal come with it? thank you again
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 05:25 AM
  #5  
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Look

in the diy section of the w210 forum on www.benzworld.org
the diy to clean the unit and replace the single unit o ring and connector is located in the diy area for transmission. you clean it out with crc maf cleaner and r/r the connector bought for under 20 bucks at www.autohausaz.com
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 10:12 AM
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well i called them again to ask couples questions the guy mentioned it gave them faulty code and thats how they found out since i mentioned how did you find out when my car is shifting normal and no problems so hes like you may not see a problem now but down the road you will so its better to change it now than getting in a limp mode or maybe the car wont go out of park
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 06:11 PM
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did this to all my cars S, CL an E they were all leaking. Cleaned the TCM with a good electric spray cleaner and replaced the O rings and the trans connector adapter.

On the CL the TCM got locked and set the tranny to 2nd gear. After the cleaning I got the TCM reflashed and that did the trick.
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by benz_addict
did this to all my cars S, CL an E they were all leaking. Cleaned the TCM with a good electric spray cleaner and replaced the O rings and the trans connector adapter.

On the CL the TCM got locked and set the tranny to 2nd gear. After the cleaning I got the TCM reflashed and that did the trick.
Dumb question... But would I be able to get the TCM reflash at the dealer if I just ask?

What I mean is, is it something they just do with Star?!
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 07:27 PM
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2003 S 500 4 MATIC , 2001 S 430 , 2003 ML 500
Unhappy TCM FILLED WITH OIL NOT GOOD

Originally Posted by benz_addict
did this to all my cars S, CL an E they were all leaking. Cleaned the TCM with a good electric spray cleaner and replaced the O rings and the trans connector adapter.

On the CL the TCM got locked and set the tranny to 2nd gear. After the cleaning I got the TCM reflashed and that did the trick.


HOW MUCH DID IT COST TO GET THE TCM REFLASHED ?
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Old May 9, 2015 | 06:09 PM
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I found my module to be completey soaked in oil, will cleaning it and reflashing do the trick? I cleaned it and nothing changed, is the reflash completely necessary even if I buy a new module?
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Old May 10, 2015 | 09:25 AM
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It costs less than $5 and takes about an hour to clean the module. No reflash should be needed. The cable adapter can be purchased at any Dodge dealer - it cost about $12 at my local Dodge dealer last year. Lots of info available on this and other Mercedes forums.
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Old May 13, 2015 | 06:06 PM
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'03 CL55 AMG
My 55 is at the dealer now. Had a no start issue so they replaced the fuel pump and relay. Was getting ABS, ESP and BAS trouble warnings. They tell me they got a Dixie cup full of transmission fluid out of my tranny control module. The dealer tells me they're not even sure fixing this situation will repair the problems. Have had the car a year with only 58k on the clock. Guess I should have listened to my head instead of my heart when I bought it...
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Old Jul 22, 2018 | 04:30 AM
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Mercedes cl
Originally Posted by Z06Tom
My 55 is at the dealer now. Had a no start issue so they replaced the fuel pump and relay. Was getting ABS, ESP and BAS trouble warnings. They tell me they got a Dixie cup full of transmission fluid out of my tranny control module. The dealer tells me they're not even sure fixing this situation will repair the problems. Have had the car a year with only 58k on the clock. Guess I should have listened to my head instead of my heart when I bought it...
Hi did you resolve no start issue
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