Hi everyone,

I need to replace the kickdown solenoid on my 722.3 tranny. I've ordered the parts, including the 3 O-rings for the solenoid valve, and the seal ring between the solenoid and the trans housing. My question is, when I remove the valve, will tranny fluid pour out the hole? I just want to make sure I'm not going to take a bath in ATF when I remove the little booger. Do I need to drain the pan first? Any tips would be appreciated...

Thanks!

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No, there will be a few drops.

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Excellent - THANK YOU for the quick reply, Doc! Very much appreciated.

What makes you think you should change it?

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

The kickdown isn't working. I swapped KLIMA's from another car (since the kickdown goes through the KLIMA on the 124.1xx) with no change. I measured the resistance of the kickdown solenoid coil at the tranny on the "good" car, it was about 10 ohms. On the "bad" car the resistance was 250 ohms. I'm nearly certain the solenoid is bad... after all, it is 21 years and 285kmi old. I'll find out in a week or two, I'm waiting on parts at the moment... just ordered yesterday.

I didnt know the circuit went through KLIMA. HMM...

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

It does for sure on the W124 diesels. I'm not sure about the M103 gassers.

I replaced the solenoid tonight. The job is pretty straightforward. I would recommend scrubbing the area squeaky-clean with carb cleaner & rags before removing the solenoid, to reduce the risk of dirt entering the transmission.

When the solenoid is removed, there is a slight drip of tranny fluid... which keeps on dripping, and does not stop. Have some rags handy for the drips to fall on while you work on the solenoid. Once removed, you need to press the valve out of the solenoid, replace all 3 rubber O-rings on the valve, clean everything, re-assemble the valve into the solenoid, and re-attach the assembly into the transmission housing. For reference, a good/new solenoid measures approximately 12 ohms. The bad solenoid on my car measured about 250 ohms.


Here's a parts list, for future reference, for my 1987 300D:

000-304-27-90 --- Kickdown solenoid (electric coil)
115-304-01-60 --- Kickdown solenoid aluminum seal ring
008-997-30-48 --- Kickdown valve O-ring #1 (valve to solenoid)
008-997-31-48 --- Kickdown valve O-ring #2 (valve to solenoid)
001-997-35-48 --- Kickdown valve O-ring #3 (inside transmission, small)

Total cost was about $65 at wholesale cost from the dealer, and it took less than an hour from start to finish.

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I just removed the kickdown valve and solenoid on two cars, both 87 300TDT's.
Once removed the fluid came gushing out.
Definitely not a few drops.
On the second one, I put a plug in asap and when I replaced the unit and refilled the tranny it took at least 1/2 to 2/3 of a liter.
Be warned you need to be prepared for a lot of fluid.

You are correct even more so if your inclined. You'll lose about 2/3 of a quart.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
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2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Forgot to mention, I have a lift, and did the job with the car level. If you are jacking the car up so the front is higher, lots more fluid will piddle out.

Both of my cars were on 4 stands, pretty close to level.
Wish I could justify the cost of a lift, I'm jealous.
Perhaps jacking up the rear more than the front would create less fluid coming out, as the part is on the rear of the transmission.