1999 E300D code P0715
 

My wife drives this car and she stated that when she put the shifter into drive or reverse nothing would happen, she then restarted the car and the transmission performed normally, this happened twice today and once a few days ago.

I reset the code with my OBDII but I suspect that the transmission will have to be scanned for codes using something else

As I understand it this could be a sign of a defective conductor plate but I figure it’s better to properly diagnose it than to shoot from the hip and just throw parts at it

Anyone else every experience this with a 1999 E300D?

Getting the specific code description goes a long way towards diagnosis as many codes offer specific info as to what test to perform.

If the 722.6 goes into limp mode then the only way to get it out of limp is a MB type scanner to reset the transmission.

Sorry dieselbenz, it did not go into limp mode, I misunderstood the events and have since revised my statement

Have to scan it with SDS to know for sure, but it sounds like a problem with the shift module. Has any liquids been spilled into it recently?

Limp on these transmissions is full line pressure, 2nd gear ( reverse will work also ). This will be the case even if all electrical is lost to the transmission.

You need to look up what the code is and not randomly replace parts.

When the driver states , " put the shifter into drive or reverse nothing would happen "

Nothing as in:

Car won't move / engine won't rev

Car won't move / engine revs freely

Car won't move / engine strains when gas is pressed ( like brake is on )

97 SL320, The engine revs but there is no response from the transmission, as if it were placed in neutral.

Check for ATF in the TCM, drop the pan and ensure the filter hasn’t fallen out of place.

Since there’s a CEL, you have to clear those codes.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

I'd be really surprised if the trans computer could neutralize the 722.6 trans even if the computer developed a drastic internal fault. Basically, line pressure would have to go to near zero for neutral in a requested gear to occur or maybe a odd combination of shift valves engaged.

However, I'm hoping someone with more time with these transmissions will look at this thread.

I'm voting for some sort of low fluid / valve body issue.

So, I’m taking it to an Indy to have the codes pulled and a proper diagnosis. If the repair is not extremely difficult I’ll do it myself, if the opposite is true then I’ll let the Indy do it.

I also have a E320 CDI and I’m starting to grow tired of paying for code reading and simple diagnostics.

Is there a fairly reasonable diagnostic scanner that I can purchase that I can use on both my 1999 E300D and my 2005 E320 CDI?

Any recommendations?

Unfortunately there is really only one game in town for the W210 diesels. That is the HHT or a Star/Xentry clone computer. The W210 was designed at the inception of OBDII and it has a seriously hobbled implementation. Basically the bare minimum to meet the requirements of the day which was power train codes related to emissions. The various electronic modules in the car are connected by dedicated serial data lines to the 38 pin connector in the main relay/fuse box on the drivers side. I don’t know of any diagnostic computer on the market other than a cloned multiplexer and laptop running Xentry that can talk over this port.

The W211 has a better OBDII implementation and there are many third party scanners (iCarSoft, Snap On, Autel, etc) that are capable of pulling codes and doing rudimentary setting changes.

Of course the multiplexer and Xentry can do anything the dealer can, with one exception. The cloned Xentry computers cannot be placed on the internet under any circumstances. If the servers at Bosch find the cloned computer it will issue a kill order and shut it down permanently. Keeping the computer isolated prevents this from happening. I have one of these and I have the Ethernet port and Wi-Fi disabled in the BIOS and have removed the drivers for these devices from Windows so there is no chance this computer can see the internet even by accident.

There are certain maneuvers, called SCN coding, that are used to initialize new modules, particularly the core function modules for the power train. It requires a handshake back to Germany to properly initialize these modules. Cloned Xentry cannot do this. You can go into Version Coding and make settings changes (for example, if you want the dash display in km instead of miles, or you add the iPod adapter to the stereo). But you cannot update the VGS (transmission conductor plate on a 722.9) that has an integrated controller.

Back to your car.
Your 2005 E320 CDI has the same family 722.6 transmission as your 1999 E300. These have an external transmission controller. Inside the transmission is a conductor plate, that holds speed and temperature sensors, and several solenoid valves.

The controller gets the data from the speed sensors, and combined with inputs from the power train controller, command the various valves in combination to engage and disengage the bands, clutches, and torque converter lockup.

There is a significant amount of diagnostic data in the transmission controller that cannot be extracted from the 1999 E300 implementation without Xentry or HHT. There are a multitude of fault codes in the system that get boiled down to a handful of generic fault codes (P07xx) that can be read out of the OBDII port.

As a fairly new owner of a 1998 e300TD I look forward to hearing what you find out on your transmission. I hope it’s nothing serious. Everything I know about this particular car has been learned here on the forums by generous folks willing to share their knowledge.
I am floored by the lack of paper manuals and the specialized equipment required for this car. Although this is a wonderful car and I have no current issues, this makes me think about selling and looking for an older, simpler model. A model I can actually get a repair manual for. Sorry, just venting and scared that I might have to take it to the dealer somed day.
Anyhow, I wish I could be of some help.

These are really great cars and easy to work on. Search on eBay for "Xentry" or "Star Diagonsis", you should be able to locate a setup with a Dell D830 laptop, a multiplexer, and cables for about $6-700. This will give you the diagnostic system needed to troubleshoot anything electronic on the car, as well as the complete set of WIS (repair manuals), EPC (exploded parts diagrams), and Star Finder (wiring diagrams and part locator with photos).

I bought mine from a seller called "gordysgadgets" and have had great success with it.

x2 After living with a 722.6, I can’t imagine going back to a 4-speed. Thankfully my 3 722.6s, 2 bought with bum transmissions, haven’t needed SDS since being sorted (clean and dry TCM, replace pilot bushing, clear codes). EGR and cat faults can be cleared through OBD.

Agreed. Gordy’s kits run out of the box. Some cheaper kits require setup I could never accomplish. I haven’t seen gordy on eBay in a while. Is he back or does he have another store?

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Ha I say the same thing about my 7-speed 722.9 equipped cars. When I had to drive my son's E300D back to Clemson I forgot how high that thing revs on the highway (ca. 2500/min for 70 mph) and how loud it was (even with all the skirts and covers on).

The OM642/722.9 combo runs at about 1800/min at 70 mph and is practically silent on the highway.

I hear you. But SCN coding is a fear I’ve yet to overcome. And pressure filling a transmission through the drain port just seems weird.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Is Valvoline Maxlife fully synthetic ATF safe to use in a 1999 E300D?

I had the guy st Autozone look it up and he stated that it can be used in the 722.6 transmission, is this correct?

Lots of 722.6 owners use it.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Ok, so i took it to an independent Mercedes Service facility and had the transmission scanned... These were the results.

Code 124: The engine speed of engine is sporadically implausible.
Code 136: CAN communication with control unit Instrument cluster is sporadically disturbed.
Code 109: Component Y3/6n3 (speed sensor 3) sporadically faulty.
Code 147: The gear is sporadically implausible or transmission slips sporadically.

Prior to going to the shop I discovered that the fluid was about a quart and a half low due to a leak at the connector, so I topped it off.

These were all STORED codes that were pulled but the CEL kept giving a PO715 code even after I rest it with OBDII several times.

The shop recommends replacing the conductor plate for a whopping $1,200.00.

I was a mechanic for 20 years so I've decided to DIY it as I can obtain not only the conductor but a new connector, filter and gasket on line for $68.00, it's after market but has great reviews.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Transmission-Conductor-Plate-Connector-Filter-Gasket-Kit-for-MERCEDES-722-6/853691352?iid=331594680632&rt=nc#UserReviews

Also, the shop says they can put in a used transmission for$5,453.00 which is about $1,700.00 more than I paid for the car. I've found exact fit transmissions on ebay for $600.00.

From my research I gather that once the conductor plate is replaced the transmission shift must be re-learned/reprogrammed.

Has anyone every done this?

Thanks in advance!!

Those codes point to conductor plate. The conductor plate is the heart of the transmission, it cannot do anything without the computer talking to the sensors and actuators.

Be sure to follow the cable up from the transmission and verify that the transmission controller (in the control box at the right rear corner of the engine bay) is not full of fluid. The suspended graphite particles in the fluid can short the circuit board out.

The sensor with errors (Y3/6n3) is part of the conductor plate.

There are many videos on youtube about doing the conductor plate. Most important thing to observe is absolute cleanliness.

Once you get the conductor plate swapped, the connector fixed, and the computer checked for contamination I am reasonably sure that will take care of your issues.

You will have to get it scanned with the MB computer again to clear out the codes. There is also a reset adaptations, basically that is initiated in the computer and then it re-learns how to shift again based on the next few driving cycles.

Were these all the codes from every computer in the car or just the transmission computer? The 136 CAN fault would be unrelated to a conductor plate issue.

At first I'd be looking at the transmission computer for oil infiltration from the leaking connector. Oil can wick up the wires and end up in the transmission computer. While oil is an insulator, graphite from clutches is a conductor and can cause all sorts of issues when it covers a computer board.

If no oil in the transmission computer plug, changing the conductor plate would be a good next step.

I'd have to check the list but I'm pretty sure P0715 is a generic " The engine computer is seeing codes from the transmission computer, scan the transmission computer for more details. "

Did they give an itemized estimate?



I was getting Doorman brand and the parts were actually marked with a MB logo and part number, not sure if this is still the case or not.

You won't have any problem changing this, remove conductor plug ( 7 or 8 mm headed bolt in the center ) the valve body then the conductor plate is atop the valve body. Your trans is late enough so there will be some screens under the solenoids, be sure to remove and clean these.

The $ 5,453.00 estimate for a used unit it so far out there it sounds like someone in the office chose a random number or quoted a MB reman. Did they give a itemized estimate for this? For a used transmission, have a look at car-part.com it is a search site for participating salvage yards. Call the yards direct as many have not figured out e mail.

The conductor plate does not contain any logic or computers. It is just a couple of speed sensors, a thermister for trans oil temp , reed switch for neutral safety and wiring for the solenoids to attach to.

Just changing the plate should not alter trans performance other than fixing a fault. Changing fluid could alter things but I would not expect a drastic change.

Relearn procedures generally consist of resetting adaptations then x number of shifts at light throttle. I'd have to dig for info on this.

MB brand filter and connector aren’t expensive even at 2-3x the price of aftermarket. That’s not where I’d save a few bucks. Get them from a reputable seller such as Pelican, sponsors of this site or a MB dealer. Lots of claimed genuine MB parts sellers on Amazon and eBay aren’t. Symptoms - connectors leak within a couple of months, poor fitting filters allow air into the pump starving the transmission of fluid. Look up transmission whining and dropping out of gear without CEL.

Oddly, I haven’t read of aftermarket conductor plates having poor fit or short life.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

I have done the conductor plate job, and it is totally a DIY job, even for the novice mechanic. There are plenty of tutorials on youtube, and even a couple threads here. Something you may also come across, is a bad shift selector switch. You will move the shifter, but it does not communicate with the trans controller. It normally happens on a cold morning, after the car has been sitting overnight. I tested it by putting a space heater in the cabin a couple hours before starting it in the morning. With the cabin somewhat warm=no problem. No heater=trans would not shift, even though mechanically it was out of park, and in D.

Agreed- just used one today, bought from Pelican. The adapter plug is MB, and only $15. The filter and gasket kit is only about $16 (for the OE). No reason to cheap out here.

Next time you are at a self serve salvage yard, pickup some computer modules , connectors , OBD 2 port and 38 pin MB port ( if your car has this )

I have a setup that I can test nearly all of the computers in my 97 C280 / SL320 out of the car. This lets me go to setup screens without fear of altering my original computers.

Thanks.

I meant SCN coding for the 722.9 conductor plate and TCM.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

My wife drove the car and it wont shift beyond 2nd gear now. So, I received a new conductor plate and installed it today. The transmission is way more powerful but it's still wont shift to 3rd gesr or higher. Did the transmission go into limp mode and if so what is required to get it out of limp mode?

Also, my wife read on line that disconnecting the battery for one hour should reset the transmission, is this correct?

Thanks guys

More like the transmission is still in limp mode. You need SDS to clear codes at the transmission module level through the 38-pin connector under the hood. Clearing codes through the OBD port won’t clear the transmission module code, neither will disconnecting the battery.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Sounds like it is in limp mode, which would you can't reset without the Mercedes computer software. Did you use a good torque wrench to tighten the screws for the valve body, and make sure it was filled to the proper level with the right fluid? $5500 for a used transmission is insane, I have seen $3900 installed for a fully rebuilt one.

So, great news. Had the transmission reprogrammed and it shifts better than it ever has since I owned it.

Thank all of you for your guidance and patience, it has made a world of difference and I am truly grateful.