I got the call today I didn't want to hear (2005 S55 AMG)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2005 S55 AMG
I got the call today I didn't want to hear (2005 S55 AMG)
I have my 2005 S55 AMG in the shop with a shifting issue. Shop said that it was the TCM that was the issue so I gave the OK to order and switch it out. TCM comes in and they send it to get programmed to the car. The shop just calls and said the TCM did not fix the issue and that a new transmission is needed. I'm so torn on this because I love the car and wouldn't have an issue just replacing the transmission, BUUUUUT at the same time as the transmission issue started I got the dreaded ABS light on the dash and noticing the rear end is not raising up. Additionally all of the doorlocks have stopped working. to address all of these would be upwards of $7K - $9K . The car is in very good condition interior/exterior and has 135,XXX miles.
Ideas & Suggestions?
Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 51
Offshore Research Vessel, 2016 Camry, Telluride, 2005 S55 AMG
Lets forget for a minute what the car is worth sales wise. How much is the car worth to you is the real question. I don't think we will ever get back money wise what we put in these cars to keep going.
If you love the car like I love mine, then I would say get the problems fixed. Depending what the problem is with the ABC, it could be something simple or expensive. You can always go the coil over route, but then you lose the ride of a high performance S-Class.
I don't know your financial situation but if its too expensive for you to get fixed now and its not your daily driver, let it sit and tackle one issue at a time. Or sell it and cut your losses. At 135,000 miles it still has alot of life left to give, unless you beat on it every day.
Chris
If you love the car like I love mine, then I would say get the problems fixed. Depending what the problem is with the ABC, it could be something simple or expensive. You can always go the coil over route, but then you lose the ride of a high performance S-Class.
I don't know your financial situation but if its too expensive for you to get fixed now and its not your daily driver, let it sit and tackle one issue at a time. Or sell it and cut your losses. At 135,000 miles it still has alot of life left to give, unless you beat on it every day.
Chris
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 367
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
I have my 2005 S55 AMG in the shop with a shifting issue. Shop said that it was the TCM that was the issue so I gave the OK to order and switch it out. TCM comes in and they send it to get programmed to the car. The shop just calls and said the TCM did not fix the issue and that a new transmission is needed.I'm so torn on this because I love the car and wouldn't have an issue just replacing the transmission, BUUUUUT at the same time as the transmission issue started I got the dreaded ABS light on the dash and noticing the rear end is not raising up. Additionally all of the doorlocks have stopped working. to address all of these would be upwards of $7K - $9K . The car is in very good condition interior/exterior and has 135,XXX miles.
Ideas & Suggestions?
For the ABC issue for now, I’d check the level in my garage if I was you. Plenty of YouTube on that. Make sure the fluid level is fine and drive it a while. FYI, changing the fluid and filter is step one according to Mercedes for diagnosing ABC issues. If that’s not what the shop says, then FOR SURE you need another shop.
For the transmission, call Marc at Sun Valley Mercedes Transmissions and have a conversation with him. He’s THE expert when it comes to these boxes, and they are some of the best MB ever made. They don’t just “go bad”. It could be your fluid is just low, and instead of changing your fluid and filter they’re throwing your money away on guesses.
Both of these systems were “NSI — No Service Interval” from Mercedes when new, which was a huge mistake. By now almost everyone in the world knows to change the fluid and filter on both the transmission and ABC before doing ANYTHING else. And I mean... Before. Doing. Anything. Else. Proper maintenance is to change fluid and filter on both systems every 30k to 50k miles. If that hasn’t been done, then for sure start there. For. Sure.
My car has 14X,XXX on it and never, ever, ever have I had a shifting problem. But the fluid has been changed every 50k miles.
Hope this helps. GL.
maw
Last edited by maw1124; Apr 28, 2021 at 09:48 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 118
'03 S55 (79K miles)
Prioritize
Transmission: you can get a refurbished tranny. I don’t recall if 2005 still used the 722.6 5-speed. But you can find them at reasonable prices on carparts and other LKQ sites.
ABC: figure out what the real problem is. Could be low fluid or clogged filter. Have you changed both out recently? Could be popped accumulator. Could be a leaky hose. Could be valve body solenoids with crappy o-rings need refurbishment. Could be bad pump. Could be... if you like to tinker, go through it piece by piece.
ABC: figure out what the real problem is. Could be low fluid or clogged filter. Have you changed both out recently? Could be popped accumulator. Could be a leaky hose. Could be valve body solenoids with crappy o-rings need refurbishment. Could be bad pump. Could be... if you like to tinker, go through it piece by piece.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 367
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Transmission: you can get a refurbished tranny. I don’t recall if 2005 still used the 722.6 5-speed. But you can find them at reasonable prices on carparts and other LKQ sites.
ABC: figure out what the real problem is. Could be low fluid or clogged filter. Have you changed both out recently? Could be popped accumulator. Could be a leaky hose. Could be valve body solenoids with crappy o-rings need refurbishment. Could be bad pump. Could be... if you like to tinker, go through it piece by piece.
ABC: figure out what the real problem is. Could be low fluid or clogged filter. Have you changed both out recently? Could be popped accumulator. Could be a leaky hose. Could be valve body solenoids with crappy o-rings need refurbishment. Could be bad pump. Could be... if you like to tinker, go through it piece by piece.
maw
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 118
'03 S55 (79K miles)
MAW is on it
Like Maw says, figure out the level of attention paid to proper service by the previous owner.
Definitely drain ATF and change filter and refill. Don’t believe the BS about lifetime fluid.
These filter / fluid and component changes are not rocket science or dealer-only tasks. If you have some wrenching skills, you can keep 6 of those 7-9k dollars of estimated repair/tinkering in your pocket.
Definitely drain ATF and change filter and refill. Don’t believe the BS about lifetime fluid.
These filter / fluid and component changes are not rocket science or dealer-only tasks. If you have some wrenching skills, you can keep 6 of those 7-9k dollars of estimated repair/tinkering in your pocket.
