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Electronic transmission control-ETC 2009 S550 4Matic

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Old Apr 21, 2016 | 12:11 AM
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Electronic transmission control-ETC 2009 S550 4Matic

If your engine light come on, your mechanic scans it and it comes back as the torque converter lockup clutch control solenoid valve has failed, does it and the transmission have to be replaced?
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Old Apr 21, 2016 | 10:08 AM
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it most likely needs a good cleaning if the screen is clogged. if it is not clogged a new solenoid is in order.

along with a tranny fluid, gasket, filter, pan bolts and 3-4 hours of labor you are looking at about $800-1000 total
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Old Apr 21, 2016 | 11:59 AM
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They stated that Damler doesn't want mechanics to service any damage to torque converters or transmissions, they want them sent back and exchanged out.

Originally Posted by alx
it most likely needs a good cleaning if the screen is clogged. if it is not clogged a new solenoid is in order.

along with a tranny fluid, gasket, filter, pan bolts and 3-4 hours of labor you are looking at about $800-1000 total
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Old Apr 24, 2016 | 03:34 AM
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An inspector working with the warranty company is coming out Monday to investigate their findings.
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Old Apr 24, 2016 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Plutoe
You are being scammed---see another shop!!
Why should he care if they replace the transmission since his warranty company is paying the bill?

I was having harsh and erratic shifting with my trans with under 30k miles. The dealership could have torn down the transmission to fix it, but the warranty company paid for a factory rebuilt unit. Likely cost them more money, but who cares since they were paying the bill.
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Old Apr 24, 2016 | 08:41 PM
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What if they didn't pay the bill or you had no warranty, what would you do?
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Old Apr 24, 2016 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Weems
What if they didn't pay the bill or you had no warranty, what would you do?
I'd probably check this forum for other people's experiences with similar issues. But since I have a warranty that covers such repairs, I don't sweat it.
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Old Apr 25, 2016 | 01:27 PM
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Was that due to radiator fluid getting into the tranny? Apparently the radiator and transmission fluid go through the radiator to heat the tranny fluid and are why the problems happen.
Originally Posted by DaveW68
Why should he care if they replace the transmission since his warranty company is paying the bill?

I was having harsh and erratic shifting with my trans with under 30k miles. The dealership could have torn down the transmission to fix it, but the warranty company paid for a factory rebuilt unit. Likely cost them more money, but who cares since they were paying the bill.
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Old Apr 25, 2016 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Weems
Was that due to radiator fluid getting into the tranny? Apparently the radiator and transmission fluid go through the radiator to heat the tranny fluid and are why the problems happen.
I don't think that was the issue with mine. But my trans was never torn down, so there's no way I could know for sure. Since I have an S600 my car has the 5 speed auto, not the 7 speed that yours has. The 5 speed is supposed to be bullet proof, so it was a bit of a surprise that it had issues, especially with such low mileage. The pre-facelift 7 speed auto has been known to be problematic. Just do a search and you'll see how often these issues come up.
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Old Apr 25, 2016 | 05:40 PM
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Well the answer is the radiator! It heats both the coolant and tranny fluid. Somehow coolant got into the tranny which has caused the problem. So, radiator, torque converter and tranny have to be replaced! Waiting to see what the warrant company does after the inspector gathered all the evidence.
Originally Posted by DaveW68
I don't think that was the issue with mine. But my trans was never torn down, so there's no way I could know for sure. Since I have an S600 my car has the 5 speed auto, not the 7 speed that yours has. The 5 speed is supposed to be bullet proof, so it was a bit of a surprise that it had issues, especially with such low mileage. The pre-facelift 7 speed auto has been known to be problematic. Just do a search and you'll see how often these issues come up.
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Old Apr 26, 2016 | 12:02 AM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
Why should he care if they replace the transmission since his warranty company is paying the bill?

I was having harsh and erratic shifting with my trans with under 30k miles. The dealership could have torn down the transmission to fix it, but the warranty company paid for a factory rebuilt unit. Likely cost them more money, but who cares since they were paying the bill.
You bought a lemon. How many major mechanical/electrical problems have you had by 30k miles?
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Old Apr 26, 2016 | 11:20 AM
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Radiator leaking could of course just be bad luck but I wonder if you still have the original factory coolant fill. The corrosion inhibitors are supposed to be long-life but only if the coolant has not been compromised, i.e. not mixed with incompatible coolants.

Last edited by gsholz; Apr 26, 2016 at 11:22 AM.
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Old Apr 26, 2016 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by mercedesbenzs55
You bought a lemon. How many major mechanical/electrical problems have you had by 30k miles?
Yeah....I've got a 10 year old lemon. Get a clue dude!

I don't own a bare bones smashed up S550. But I do have an awesome warranty that has paid for all of the issues that are typical to a 10 year old S600 with a bi-turbo V12 motor and an ABC suspension. The trans repair may not have been typical, but I have a feeling that the warranty company over-spent by putting in a MB factory rebuilt unit. It likely only needed a solenoid replacement or something else fairly simple.

If you think your high mileage wreck is going to be immune to problems, you've got another thing coming. I believe you're still figuring out how you're going to pay to have your frame pulled....because you spent your money on a fridge, steering wheel, and other ridiculous items, right?
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Old Apr 27, 2016 | 04:11 AM
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In my case I can't believe that the German engineers didn't know about the faulty radiators that caused the coolants to get into the tranny fluid. I would think a new radiator, solenoid and a tranny flush would do the trick!
Originally Posted by DaveW68
Yeah....I've got a 10 year old lemon. Get a clue dude!

I don't own a bare bones smashed up S550. But I do have an awesome warranty that has paid for all of the issues that are typical to a 10 year old S600 with a bi-turbo V12 motor and an ABC suspension. The trans repair may not have been typical, but I have a feeling that the warranty company over-spent by putting in a MB factory rebuilt unit. It likely only needed a solenoid replacement or something else fairly simple.

If you think your high mileage wreck is going to be immune to problems, you've got another thing coming. I believe you're still figuring out how you're going to pay to have your frame pulled....because you spent your money on a fridge, steering wheel, and other ridiculous items, right?
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Old Apr 27, 2016 | 06:21 PM
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Are the transmissions permanently sealed and can't be opened to flush or repair?
Originally Posted by Weems
In my case I can't believe that the German engineers didn't know about the faulty radiators that caused the coolants to get into the tranny fluid. I would think a new radiator, solenoid and a tranny flush would do the trick!
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Old Apr 27, 2016 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Weems
Are the transmissions permanently sealed and can't be opened to flush or repair?
Nope....they can be opened up.
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 02:56 AM
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Mercedes needs to recall the radiators and correct the repairs! Or my warranty company gets their money back from Mercedes!

Last edited by Weems; Apr 28, 2016 at 02:59 AM.
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Weems
Mercedes needs to recall the radiators and correct the repairs! Or my warranty company gets their money back from Mercedes!
Oh sure.....that'll happen.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 06:35 PM
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Ok here's the final prognosis Monday morning the car is going into the shop for two days. The coolant got into the transmission fluid and burned out the asbestos clutch plate which rendered the transmission useless. The radiator and clutch plate have not been updated. So the only thing that could be done on a continuous basis is to flush the transmission more than normal, Approximately every 30 to 40,000 miles, which is a cost of approximately $900 to save spending $7000 in the repair. The warranty authorize the repairs. Thanks for all you help guys!


Originally Posted by DaveW68
Oh sure.....that'll happen.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 07:17 PM
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Sounds like it will get fixed.

Changing transmission fluid and filter on a regular basis is good for the transmission but it would NOT have prevented your radiator leak. Now flushing the coolant might have prevented radiator corrosion which in turn can cause a radiator leak. The 10 year coolant fill is pushing it in my opinion. Would be cheap insurance to change the coolant every 5 years.

Whenever there is coolant loss one should be very paranoid and make sure it does not end up in the engine or transmission.

Last edited by gsholz; Apr 29, 2016 at 07:23 PM.
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Old Apr 30, 2016 | 06:23 AM
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There was no leak, it is an inherent problem with those radiators when you have the coolant and transmission fluid going through the radiator. Flushing has to be more frequent.
Originally Posted by gsholz
Sounds like it will get fixed.

Changing transmission fluid and filter on a regular basis is good for the transmission but it would NOT have prevented your radiator leak. Now flushing the coolant might have prevented radiator corrosion which in turn can cause a radiator leak. The 10 year coolant fill is pushing it in my opinion. Would be cheap insurance to change the coolant every 5 years.

Whenever there is coolant loss one should be very paranoid and make sure it does not end up in the engine or transmission.
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