I may be out on a limb here, but I would have to assume that there was diagnosis done in order to arrive at new modules, etc.
I don't know what type of diagnosis was done (short or in-depth) but there must have been something.
Has anyone else had this type of problem? What was the fix?

The trans can go "limp home" for a huge number of reasons. Lack of speed signal from the traction control is one, improper shifter inputs one, alternator voltage too high or low, CAN issues another, tires the wrong size another. But, the point is that diagnostics produce results or guesses. Intermittants don't leave much to test, but they do leave codes. There must have been codes to throw the parts that have been thrown, what were they?

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

It is next to impossible to come up with a solution or even a guess on a problem as originally described without any codes to guide the members.

The W140 is incredibly complex, and that is why is also very peculiar about providing fault codes (even on intermittent failures) to provide assistance on a solution.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

There are no codes to read.
Any ideas on where to start with this problem?
We have started looking in the wiring for bad "z" connectors/joints.
Any thoughts would be appreciated!

LOL . . . a Mercedes w/o codes. . . just doesn't happen. . . LOL!

The 'bad-battery' or altenator going bad (ie, low voltage) can cause what you're experiencing.

But first, read the codes . .

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

There are not any codes......I swear!
Alternator is new.......battery seems to be good.

I have to ask: Are we talking about the same types of codes here? Not the OBD2 codes from the connector under the dash, but from Star Diagnostics, big connector in the engine compartment in front of the module case.

Based on my experiences with my 140, I have a hard time believing that there are no codes set.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

To me it sounds like you're getting bad electrons from that new alternator or your wiring harness is shot. There are just too many other things going wrong.

Jim F is right too. W140s will always show a code. With as many failures as you have that sucker should be lit up like a Christmas tree.

Where have you tried pulling the codes from? OBD-II? The diagnostic port under the hood (the blinkey light)? Star Diagnostics?

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"It's not about how fast you can go, but how well you can go fast."

Bob in Richmond

'97 S320 (LWB), Ruby Red Metallic, 73k miles
'97 S420V, Smoke Silver Metallic, 155k miles