Does anyone have a link to a thread or HOWTO that discusses this issue? Specifically I'm looking for 1. how to check whether or not you have this problem. and 2. what the fix for this is.

This is for the issue where transmission fluid migrates up the wiring harness and into the TCU, toasting it.

Thanks

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

Pardon my memory,if it's faulty...But I believe the long term remedy was to replace to rubber sealing o-ring on the wiring sub harness.


Almost the discussion you want:
Transmission Failure 99 e300TD

AND:
member jvmaxime may have your solution in reply #12 to this post:

97 S420 Transmission Trouble

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Here are some links. The first is how I caught mine JUST in time, the second, a "How-To" with some pretty good pics.

Change Thy Data Plug!!!

http://www.installuniversity.com/mb/w203/w203/trans_oring.html

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2005 Pathfinder LE
2001 E55
1998 M3
1982 320i

Yes, when I did mine a couple of months ago the dealer stocked the complete assembly, not just the replacement o-rings like they used to sell. The parts counterperson told me the part had been redesigned (for the third time) and now they only sell the complete plug assembly - it only costs $7 and will save you lots of time and trouble. Mine leaked originally and was replaced, and leaked again at this last change...now, hopefully, the new plug will last longer.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

This is perfect, thanks everyone.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

Changed mine out today thanks to the informative links and pics. A pretty simple job. My connector was leaking apparently as I got a bit of fluid coming out when I undid the plug.

Upon replacing the socket, I noticed that the old leaky one had black O rings, just like the new replacement. I was expecting to see red or white O-rings...

I wasn't able to locate the TCM in my car to check for fluid at that end. Anyone know where the TCM is on W210? I opened the electronics box on the side of the engine bay, and there's a lot of stuff in there but nothing that had sealed connectors on it. Loads of wires, all of them looked dry, no fluid.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

Excerpt from:

97 S420 Transmission Trouble

"I went to locate the TCM (transmission control module). It is under the hood inside a black box with a yellow sticker that said Battery in trunk. As soon as I removed the harness to the left of the module, I notice ATF at the connector. "

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Unfortunately that fellow's car is an S420. Not a w210 chassis. I did check just in case though, and I have no black boxes with yellow stickers that say "Battery in trunk"...

I did check inside the black electronics box (where the K40 relay lives) and didn't see a module that looked like the one in that thread.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

According to the EPC it is in the box that houses the ECM for the engine, brakes, etc...look for these PNs.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Perfect, thanks!! I'll take another look...

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'98 E300 turbodiesel