1999 ML430 Transmission Question. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1highhog · #1 06-27-2007, 07:37 PM

Guys, I have a heck of a question about my 1999 ML430. The other day, while I was driving it, the engine light came on and I drove about 3 miles to my jobsite. That afternoon, or about 8 hours later, I go out and crank the car, the light is still on, but I decide to see if I can make it another few miles, about 5, to a transmission shop. The car never gets out of 1st gear, so I end up parking it and trailering it to the trans shop. They have had the car for about a week, they change the trans filter and fluid, and remark that there is hardly any metal shavings at all in the fluid, they try and diagnose it, it comes up code 715, which is a sensor A, speed control. They replace it, but still the problem remains. Today they give up and decide the best thing for me to do is take it elsewhere. This is not a Mercedes shop, just one of the better one's in town. My wife usually drives it, and she said that about a week before I drove it that day, it had started to act sluggish when she was leaving from a dead stop on an incline, but would do fine on a level surface. This is why the Transmission shop decided it might me the filter. Has anyone ever had this problem? I'm now going to take it to the Mercedes Dealership, but kind of hate to because they do not have a good record with the local Mercedes owners. Any help would be appreciated.

mbdoc · #2 06-28-2007, 08:33 AM

IF?? they replaced the conductor plate, MB part number 140-270-08-61 they most likely HAVE fixed that transmission already. BUT if the code doesn't get scanned & erased from the TRANS computer(code 12/13/14) as well as the engine computer(P0 715) the trans will still be in limp mode.

1highhog · #3 06-28-2007, 10:36 AM

Yes Sir, they said they did clear the codes, but now I'm not to sure they even know what their doing. Looks as though I'm going to have to go to the Dealership. Thank you very much for the information.

JAD · #4 06-30-2007, 11:29 AM

Try replacing this...I was having a similar problem and this fixed it AT PLUG ADAPTER A 203 540 02 53 I read this blurb somewhere but can't remember where...
the electrical connecter serves as the connection for the transmission harness. from the tranny control unit, the harness plugs into the electrical connecter at the tranny. the electrical connecter connects to the conductor plate which houses the speed sensors and shift solenoids. it is located on the passenger side of the tranny. has a 7mm nut in the middle which holds it on. when installing the new one, do not tighten the new nut that much. Make sure to get the new design. That plug has been redesigned for the ML and the E

1highhog · #5 06-30-2007, 06:28 PM

Thanks Jad, I will give that a try and get back on here to let others know whether that cured the problem, thanks so much for your help.

JAD · #6 07-01-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1highhog

Thanks Jad, I will give that a try and get back on here to let others know whether that cured the problem, thanks so much for your help.

No problem. I can go into more detail if you would like, you can PM for my phone number. From what I found out, some TM fluid was getting into the housing and screwing with the speed sensor/conductor plate ect. I don't want to type a novel here. But this repair basically saved me $6,300 as my local MB indie said I needed a new transmission. Good luck