99 ML 320 Transmisson Failure
 

Had a transmission failure while 550 miles from home over the holidays. I was loaded up and ready to head home when I encountered the problem. The transmission slipped under load at highway speed. I shut it off and restarted it and it repeated the failure a couple of times. I did get a CEL.

After about 30 phone calls from the side of the road to MBUSA, Mercedes dealers (nearest 50 miles away), franchises and trusted friends in the area, I had it flat bedded to an indie transmission specialist in that area. Decided on the indie guy because he sounded like he knew what he was doing, he told me he had worked on ML transmissions multiple times in the past, and I am hopeful his repair charge will be on the lower end of my $2K to $6K expectation.

The vehicle is a 99 ML 320 with 185K miles. I am the original owner and it has never had any tranny problems or work before. I've searched this forum and understand it is probably typical for the ML 320 tranny to fail at this mileage (if not sooner.)

I borrowed another vehicle to come home so I have to handle this over the phone. Just talked to the mechanic and he has taken the pan off. He told me 4th gear is "burned out" and the paper from the failure clogged the filter. He said the other three gears are OK. He is gathering prices so he can present me with options.

Sounds like my options will be:
* used tranny (from a wrecked ML ?)
* remanufactured tranny from someone other than Mercedes
* remanufactured tranny from Mercedes
* new tranny from Mercedes (?)

Obviously warranty and expected life will be compared to price for each option. Warranty is a key issue since it would be very inconvenient to take it 550 miles for remedial service.

I don't have any specific questions at this point but I would appreciate your collective advice / experiences / wisdom / prayers (especially if anything I've told you doesn't sound right.)

You might want to read this thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=110258&page=3&highlight=transmission+failure

The last thread reads like this -

Just to update the 722.6 transmission file, MB now subs all parts directly related to the planetaries to a full planetary assembly, taking all the options out of rebuilding. After you pay more than $2K for that part/assembly alone, then a few other necessary updated parts, you may as well just buy the transmission from Benz; there's too many other parts that can go bad in that transmission to justify saving a few 100 dollars on an aftermarket rebuild. Be careful with used parts; remember, you're replacing fatigued and failed parts with known defective parts, and you're just looking for trouble unless you just want to unload your vehicle. This absolutely sucks, as this was a most enjoyable transmission for me to rebuild.

Thank you, Azinn!

What do you (anyone) think is a typical cost for each option?

I just replaced my tranny and converter with one from Phoenixhardparts.com for my 98 ML. I got a 4 year warrantee with it. The "dynoed" trans and converter was 1,795, the warrantee was something like 250, shipping both ways was 300, and I had to put a 1000 core down. Hassle-free, and is working fine with no issues at all after a thousand miles.

It comes on a wooden pallet, strapped down in a heavy plastic bag, and must go back the same way, and drained.

I did quite a bit of research before I settled on this place. Give them a look. Their phone number is 1-623-936-1500.

Thanks, waybomb.

Quotes are in. All include one year parts only warranty, replacement torque converter and $400 for my mechanic to R&R it:

1) used tranny with 89K miles = $3200
No way. Not for that price and that many miles.

2A) phoenixhardparts.com remanufactured = $2650 to $3400 depending on core evaluation.
They don't have it in stock but can build it quickly. Problem is it will take up to 10 business days (if no delays) for them to deliver it.

2B) europeantransmissions.com remanufactured = $2840 to $3590 depending on core evaluation. It is in stock in Atlanta and could be delivered by Tues (Wed at the latest).
I am leaning towards this option.

3) rebuild by the mechanic 500 miles away = $4200
He says he knows about the $2100 assembly for rebuilding it and he factored that into his price.

4) Mercedes remanufactured = over $6000 (sorry - don't have the exact figure -- left my notes in the office)
I can't justify putting that kind of money in a truck that isn't worth $10K after the repair.

I am really leaning towards 2B. Even though I trust the mechanic who is working on it, he is 550 miles away and it will be difficult for me to get warranty work from him. If the remanufactured part fails in warranty, a local mechanic can R&R it and I can deal with the Atlanta company from home.

Any suggestions?

european transmissions was my second choice when I was shopping.
Sounds as if you went with phoenix, you'd get my core, except rebuilt!

2B sounds like a winner. Good luck! My 2 cents. :thumbsup:

What is the part number that goes along with this quote? I want to check my MB source.

Hi Ron,

The transmission is a 722.622 per the europeantransmissions.com web site. Don't know if that's the number you're looking for.

The actual quote for the Mercedes remanufactured tranny is $5030 plus $800 for the torque converter plus $400 to R&R plus an unknown amount for core (let's say $1000) so the total cost would be $6230 to $7230 depending on what I got back for the core.

I think the part number is 1632702200. The msrp is $5110, Duval sells it for $3832. which is about what I could buy one from my local MB dealer. I do have a commerical account but Duval sells for equal or less than I can buy it for. Of course there will be the shipping cost if you don't buy it locally.


I don't know what the warranty would be on an MB transmission purchased from a dealer, it may only be 1 year.

Thanks, Ron. Who is Duval? Google didn't help me. And are those prices for new or remanufactured trannsmissions?

Latest update: I went with my gut and decided not to buy the remanufactured tranny from europeantransmissions.com because they said they wouldn't take a credit card. They insisted on a money order or wire transfer. That's alot of money to give free and clear to a company I know nothing about other than their internet website.

The indie transmission specialist is going to tear it apart and give me an updated quote on repair Monday. He said if the planetaries aren't torn up, he can do it for about half of his original quote. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. I wish he had told me that when he gave me the quote of $4200. I'm still trusting him at this point because he comes highly recommended by two independant sources.

They are a Mercedes Dealer in Gainsville, Florida. First link is to there MB site and second is site to order parts. I deal with Tim, call and ask for him. I suspect the transmission is new or remanufactured by Mercedes or whoever they have to that. If I have to replace I think I'd be inclined to go with a MB factory new or rebuilt.

http://www.kraft.mercedescenter.com/mbcenter/b/index.jhtml;jsessionid=CFBH5GYJV4QUMNKDDOFSM4RVIMNYUJVC?null&_requestid=274960
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=213951&catalogid=0

Question Ref Tranny Oil Service ..
 

Wondering If You Ever Changed Out The Trans Oil At Any Point Of Ownership ? ( Based On Your Being Sole Owner ) And If You Did At What Mileage ?

Possibly You Could Purchase The Parts Wholesale ( What Ever Parts The Indie Reports Are Needed. Should Save You At Least 20% + Taxes . Then Leaves You With The Labor Costs Only. Of Course The Indie May State A Reluctance To Give A Warranty On The Parts, But If You Send Him Sealed Orig Parts, & Hold The Receipt, Mbz Is Carrying The Part Warranty Anyway. So It Seems To Me You'd Be In The Same Postion Either Way ... Just A Thought. He Still Would Be Offering The Labor Warranty I Would Expect.

All You Would Need Is Your Resale # For The Wholesale Purchase.
Seems I Read Where You Stated You Could Obtain The Parts Wholesale.

Thanks, Ron. I called Duval and they confirmed your price. But they did quote a $1220 core charge. Sounds like you can get anywhere from a couple of hundred bucks to full core returned depending on the mood of the person checking it back in. However, the deal breaker was the revelation they did not have it in stock. I'm afraid I can't wait for them to get it in and then ship it from FL to WV since I am borrowing a vehicle.

acapulco36 -- I did not have the fluid changed. I have followed the mainenance recommended in the owners manual. I may be able to buy the parts cheaper than the indie, but logistics and time are not on my side (he is 550 miles away).

Update -- The indie called and _said_ my planetaries look perfect. He will rebuild it for $2250 and warrant everything but the planetaries for one year. If the planetaries crap out in the warranty period, he will cover labor to rebuild it if I buy the parts.

New question: How should I test his work when I go pick it up? Run it briefly in each gear? Shift into low range? Make sure the reverse lights come on when thye are supposed to?

Thanks to all.

When I did mine, I was told not to exceed 2000 rpm for the first 1/2 hour or so. Something about setting the codes. Ayway, I did not exceed 2000 rpm for the first 45 minutes just to be sure. Everything is fine now. I was a bit hesitant the first time I mailed it to see how passing worked - I think it is better now than before. Trans shifts beautifully.

Follow up: My wife traveled back to pick up the truck and she says it is running great. No problems uncovered. Total cost for the rebuild was around $2500. As mentioned earlier, comes with one year warranty on everything except the planetaries.

I was favorably impressed with the indie transmission specialist -- Steve Warble of Warble Transmission in Benwood, WV. Only time will tell if this was the right decision, but Steve seemed to know what he was talking about and apparently he didn't have any problems rebuilding this transmission.

Thanks to all for your comments and knowledge sharing.

Hey, thanks for the followup and detailing your choices. As to the MB quote, I believe $5100 is for a NEW transmission, plus installlation ($800) and a necessary computer upgrade for the new trans ($800). My SE felt that 125,000 miles was par for the course on these trannies.

Of course, that was before MB announced that the "lifetime" fill has been revisited and now the oil should be changed every 37,500 miles. My 98 ML had 123,000 on it when I got it and the trans fluid had never been changed. It was shifting erratically and would sometimes shudder to a stop in one of the higher gears.

I put the new filter in, the recommmended magnet, and about 7 quarts of Mobil 1 ATF. I just passed 147,000 and the trans is shifting better than before I changed the fluid. I plan to change filter and 7 quarts again when I get 30K on the present fluid. Since about 4 quarts will not get changed, I think 30K is a good compromise. NO FLUSHING for me!

Anyway, thanks again,

Jim in Phoenix

(Holy thread resurrection, Batman!)

Must be something related to cold weather. I'm back in my hometown two years after having my transmission rebuilt and I'm having another issue. My 99 ML 320 has 245,000 miles on it. It had 185,000 miles on it when I had the transmission re-built two years ago.

The truck is sometimes refusing to shift into high gear. The weather is in the 20's here, but it does it when the truck is fully warmed up. It was running fine with the selector in the 4 overdrive position. Yesterday I entered an interstate and it wouldn't upshift. I was only doing about 40 MPH and the tach was reading about 4000 RPM's. I lifted my foot, bumped it into neutral, and then back to 4 overdrive. Pressed the gas and the engine freewheeled like it was still in neutral. I coasted to a complete stop, put in in park, then backed up a bit, stopped, then started forward. The truck ran normally from that point on.

Started it this morning and let it idle for 10 minutes to warm up. In the first minute of driving, it refused to upshift again. I did the stop/park/resume routine and it ran fine all the way to the transmission shop I used two years ago.

(Note: I am aware the computer limits the upshifts in cold weather to let the engine warm up faster. I don't have the exact MPH/RPM numbers in my head, but it was a lot more RPM's per MPH than normal.)

The transmission guy scanned it and came up with 10 codes. I remember codes related to upshift solenoid, a transfer case, oil temp and then a problem communicating with the computer. He stopped and told me I needed to take it to a dealer becasue he suspects the computer is bad.

Q: Is there a separate transmission computer, or does the main computer control the transmission?

The truck ran flawlessly the 15 miles back to where I'm staying.

The nearest dealer is 50 miles away. I asked the transmission guy if he thought I could make it 550 miles back to my home. He said these problems wouldn't burn the tranny up, so as long as it upshifted OK, it probably wouldn't hurt to try to get it home.

My wife will be following me in our other car. I figure if mine craps out along the way, I'll have it flat bedded to the nearest dealer. I see no difference between working with the dealer 50 miles from where I am now or a dealer somewhere close to my route home. I will be working with them remotely and I have no experience with any of them.

Any words of wisdom for me?