How close to Gainsville is that? Steve Brotherton's shop is there, and I can't imagine anyone that knows more about that car than him. In deference to the other techs, there are some that know as much, but not more, imho...

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

UPDATE.

fitted new range rec. switch............problem is still there.

ANY other suggestions before i go to the dealership and bend over

any shop in ft. lauderdale that can help?

thanks

I heartily agree with John. I think it's a bit of a haul from Ft Lauderdale to Gainesville, 1/2 a day drive almost. I have a sister in Gainesville area.

SPIKES you'll notice the timing of the posts is off, I think you have the time zone set incorrectly in your preferences area with MercedesShop, although some times it screws up here just for the "Halibut".

It's hard to ignore a code for the ETC control unit when it's coming directly from the control unit. They MAY need to change the valve body also, sometimes the control unit may need to be updated with a corresponding change to the valve body.

Gilly

Check with Raul at Ultimate Euro Repairs in Dania.

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

Hi Steve

FL, FL is about a couple hundred mile trip to G-ville, ain't it?

Gilly

More like 300; virtually the length of the state, although if one goes from the panhandle to Key West it is over seven hundred miles.

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

GILLY - i checked my time offset and it is -5 eastern time which is correct.

STEVE - thanks i will try RAUL on monday.

THANKS AGAIN GUYS

ANOTHER UPDATE..
disconnected trans. computer last night....connected it back again this morning.
the car shifts through all the gears
drove for about 2 miles driving through the selections. stopped at light check engine light comes on ....back into 1st gear

anyway i think this confirms that the mechanical side of tranny is good?
all the changes i have made has made no difference
i now have a check engine light that might give me more info.

spike

THANKS GUYS.

STEVE - i contacted rael and the car went to him.
it is the etc unit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

very important to get a shop with right equipment and know how.
i was amazed how you have to have very expensive equipment to "look" at these cars.

thanks for all the help on this board.

can anybody help me find a good used E.T.C
PART NUMBER: 020 545 923 2
FOR 97 E320. before i get one from the dealer.

thanks.

So you took your car to Raul, paid the money to have him diagnose the problem, but you didn't have him replace the item?

Why?

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Ask Raul or Steve. If no luck there, try Martin Ito Motors in NW Miami. 3250 NW 43 Terr, Miami, Florida (305) 751-4741 and (305) 633-9850. They are a Mercedes Salvage Yard. I have bought a few parts from them in the past. Though call and check to see if they are still around and any good. last time I went to them was over 3 years ago.

__________________
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

2006 - Suzuki Gran Vitara (2.0 L fully equipped) Like this car so far except for trying to put on the seatbelt.
1988 - 190e - 2.3L - 172K miles (It now belongs to the exwife)
1999 - Chevy Blazer LS Fully Equiped - killed it June 2006
2001 - Honda Civic EX - 68K miles (sold June 2004)
1963 - 220S - Dual Carb 6 cyl. (sold)
1994 - Yamaha WaveRaider (fun to ride)

suginami- this was only this morning. we can get a new etc from merc. and he suggested to try and fing a used one- nothing wrong with that?

euronatura- thanks but they cant help.

still looking though.

thanks
spike