W202 Transmission Problems

Recently the transmission on my dad's 2000 C230 has been clunking (mainly on the 3-2 and 2-1 downshifts), but today it is "clunking" on upshifts as well. It seems to hunt for a gear and often seems confused. The 1-2 upshift is also often abrubt and rough. This is a dramatic change from when the car was new, then the engine and tranny seemed to be in perfect harmony.

The car was taken up to MBAutowerks for an adjustment a couple months ago and seemed to improve, but the shift quality has declined over the past couple of weeks. Obviously we are hoping this does not mean that the whole transmission needs to be replaced, but if thats the case I guess we'll do it. Does anyone have any ideas or similar experiences with the M-B 5-speed automatic?

[blackmercedes]

MY2000?

Wow, not many folks with post 1999 cars have 722.6 troubles. It was pretty well sorted out by then. The abrupt shifts sound just like the ETC problems. Possible it's got an "older" ETC?

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SUBJECT: DEALER TECHNICAL BULLETIN 58/99



*** REPLACE MB-NET NO. 696 DATED 12-20-99 WITH THE FOLLOWING ***



58/99-2 GROUP 27 - MODELS 202, 208, 210, 129, 140, 170 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 722.6: There have been some new electronic transmission control (ETC) modules produced for the correction of codes 053, 134, 146, 149 as well as improvements to the 1-2 full throttle upshift and the 3-2 downshift. The part numbers for these new ETC modules are as follows:

M119/120 engine - 026 545 72 32

M113 engine - 026 545 73 32

M112 engine - 026 545 84 32

M111 engine - 026 545 82 32

M104 engine - 026 545 85 32

For the 220, the improved software has a part number of 022 545 51 32 which is already installed in all but the very early production 220's, so please check prior to replacement.

NOTE: Does not apply to tiptronic shifted vehicles.

The ETC modules can be ordered using the 26 extension on the part number and the VIN to ensure proper version coding from Germany. Part numbers do not apply to AMG vehicles.

Please remember that software will not correct a hardware problem, so please check the vehicle carefully before changing to assure that the control module replacement is required.



Service Engineering

NYdg

12-29-99

Yes it is MY2000, we took delivery in August or September of 1999 (so I believe it had a build date around 7/99).

I was thinking that it may be just a computer deal, but the "clunking" noise has persisted even after Donnie did some work on it (I believe w/ the ETC but I dont know). It would be nice to be able to drive a "normal" 202 to see if these noises are present on it as well (I just cant remember whether they were there when the car was new, but I cant seem to remember it).

Well, we just got the car back from MBAutowerks, apparently the problem was with the flex disc and the "modulator spring in the transmission valve body was weak".

The car feels good now, so I guess that was the deal!