After doing a ton of research on here about our transmissions and potential reasons for different problems I wanted to start a thread to try and get ahead of the problem and get opinions from everyone .
Anyways, a couple weeks ago my trans went into limp mode and gave me code p0730 and per the forums I changed out the TCU plug and swapped out the filter and fluid. The next day I drove the car about 30 miles with no issues and then out of nowhere the limp mode came back and gave me the same p0730 code and this time added code p0715 (I think), the one for the speed sensor.
The car is parked again and waiting on a new conductor plate to go in by the end of the week.
After more reading I realized that I needed to have the trans codes cleared through STAR, which I never did. What are the chances that this is the reason the car went back into limp mode and started throwing codes after running fine all day?

Also, after changing the conductor plate I'll be sure to get the codes reset but I'd prefer not to use the stealership... anyone have any recommendations for somewhere in Tampa/Clearwater that can do this?

 

Couldn't you just do the TCU reset with the key and gas pedal trick instead of using STAR?

 

No he needs the code cleared in the transmission. Only star or icarsoft etc can get in there

 

Thats right. I swapped Torque Convertor, Primary pump and stuff on my 722.6 in my W210 E430. And it still was locked in 2nd gear (Transmission Limp mode). Only after clearing codes with STAR it started to functioning again.

 

Bump on this. Anyone know somewhere that has star or can clear the trans codes in Tampa?

 

To update, after changing the conductor plate and driving for about a mile it's become obvious the trans is completely shot. I'll attach a pic of the inside of the pan after the mile drive on fresh fluid. As far as symptoms, the car never got rid of the p0715 code during all of this and stayed stuck in 2 gear limp mode after changing the conductor plate.
I found a local place that will do a full rebuild of the trans plus a few extras for $2200 and can do turnaround in less than a week so I'll be going that route.
Thanks to Hulk for sending me a great contact and to AndreNY for getting me some good parts during this adventure.

 

Sorry bro, hope it works out

 

Robert I'm so sorry. You have been having a lot of issues lately. Hope it gets better. Thanks for your porting work on the TB.

Make sure you have your tq coverter flushed.

 

Thanks Hulk, should be good to go by next week and again thanks for the support.




Thanks Tony, no problem on the TB you have to let me know what you think after you install it.
As far as my car, it's been stressful but from a glass half full perspective I've replaced just about everything on the car at this point besides the rear bags so there's not too much else left to break lol! I plan on keeping this car for a long time so replacing everything isn't the end of the world I just need to work a little harder so I can get a second car to give this one a break on occasion.
I think I got lucky finding these guys to do the trans work as they also have STAR/das and really seem to know their stuff. And you can't beat a 2yr warrantee as far as I'm concerned.

 

Have the torque converter completely rebuilt while it's out and do the rear main seal and plate if you haven't already. I'd also replace the transmission pump with the newer needle bearing style pump. Don't forget to have the 2 freewheel units updated as well.

 

Who is doing the work for ya, Good to know all the decent shops in the area. I ussually go to Werners for anything I can't figure out myself. BTW... once you get it back on the road, if you need any DAS assistance let me know I just picked one up from Shardul.

~Jeff

 

GL Bro we need to Race once your done

 

Should be a good one

Thanks Jeff, I'll most likely take you up on that once I get this thing running again to get the secondary o2's scanned out to get rid of the CEL.

Shull Mercedes and Snyders Transmission are the two guys working together to get it worked out now. They both have Star/DAS. As of now I have nothing but good things to say about them.

The update I just got from Mark Shull was that there are shutter plates (I think is what he called them) that are the mechanical part that the speed sensor reads. Per the shavings in the pan and the fact that I replaced the conductor plate, he's thinking that those may be the problem as they can get out of whack. He also said that there's a lot of CAN codes stored and he's in the process of working through all of them to come to some kind of conclusion to what the problem is.
Personally I still think the trans is going to need to be rebuilt so I'm prepared for that and any other news to the contrary will be good news lol.

 

Update:

last week I got the car back and for about 20 min it ran fine after the codes were cleared and then they all came back so I dropped it back off and told them to just rebuild the damn thing lol.

Today I got a call from Tom at Snyders transmissions and he said it looks like the torque converter went bad and the d2 (i think is what he said) clutch pack is completely burnt out. Also there's some bearing that he says he usually doesnt see go bad thats moving a bit rough so he's going to replace that while he's in there. Says I should have the car back by Friday.

 

If it makes you feel any less pain. I'm currently going thru this same guessing process for the tranny. My car all of a sudden stopped shifting out of 2nd. It would sometimes shift into 3rd but it would feel like it would just be in neutral shift back to 2nd with a thud. I already changed the tranny fluid, now I'm sending her in tomorrow for valve body and conductor plate. There are no codes in the system. It's looking like a tranny rebuild for me as well. 71,000 miles.

Best of luck to you. Can't wait to hear back with a happy ending.

 

glad to hear some goods news!

 

My car had a 1st to 2nd gear slip from the day I got it, only when cold. It never went into limp mode or threw a code but was definitely annoying. Diagnosed as a TC going bad, went ahead and did a complete tranny rebuild/rear main while it was pulled. Apparently some of the clutches were getting worn... car is driving great now. European Performance in St. Pete did mine... it wasn't $2200 but it was still very reasonable and they turned the car around in 3 days. 102k miles.

 

Thanks guys I can't wait to have her back! E34, good to know there's another good shop around. If I could've gotten a 3 day turnaround id have gone there as I paid the same $2200 but I'll be a bit over a week on turnaround time.

 

They do a good job, have several customers with 211 E55's... including a sweet wagon they did a Kleeman K2 kit on. Mine was more than $2,200, but still reasonable.

 

Update:

I have my baby back! lol

Snyder's called this morning and said they finished up early and she runs great. They also messed around with the new header/exhaust and got her a good bit quieter with less leaks.

Looks like this transmission adventure is over. Thanks for all the support guys!

 

That's good news all around.

 

congrats

Did your transmission have to relearn how to shift after getting it back? Did it shift a little weird the first few runs?