Automatic Gear box problem - Warning light is on

[pavka007]

Hi,
I would be grateful if someone could help.
I purchased V230 Automatic second hand. The previous owner has had problems with the warning light for the gearbox. After making several trips to the local dealer, they traced the ?fault? to the TPC (throttle position control unit). They replaced the unit and after only 21 miles the story was the same. The car going into the EMERGANCY mode and can be driven only on 3 gear. I was to the dealer two days ago and they told me the same ?????? If there is anyone who is willing to help? The Mercedes part is No: 001 141 0525. My biggest concern is the fact that when I spoke to the previous owner he told me that the last time he was at the garage he saw 2 more vehicles with THE same problem.
One of the mechanics told him that this is the problem with this model for this year 1998R . Is anyone knows anything about that? How can I rectify the issue? The computer in the garage can?t clear the memory because keep ?reading? this mistake.
Please help !!!!!

 

[john]

Automatic Gear box problem

whoever diagnosed the problem should be held responsible for the problem rearing its ugly head again.

take the thing back there and explain.

 

[pavka007]

Automatic Gear box problem

Thanks jonh, but I am the one on this end)
I was looking for help from someone that knows what is this about. Maybe someone that knows how i can fix the problem. I am IT support so I am sure that this is some kind of computer error. The gearbox is operatedby ECU and not by mechanical way. So it is some kind of small problem, but the local MB dealer is just...........
Anyway thank you
Alex

 

[imported_dieselman]

Automatic Gear box problem

It sounds like a wiring loom failure or a bad earth causing incorrect voltage readings from the throttle pot.  Throttle pots can and do fail on other vehicles as well.  Try metering the pot through it's full travel.  i'm not sure if it has a control pot as well as the functional one, but a check should reveal all.
Try taking the car to a Bosh diesel specialist.

 

[pavka007]

Automatic Gear box problem

Thanks dieselman,
Let me just remind you that the MPV is V230 petrol, is that a problem? Do you know where I can find this wiring loom??? How can I meter the pot?
Alex

 

[altreed]

Automatic Gear box problem

I had problems with my gearbox, first it was really bad changes then it got worse (wheelspins at 80mph type gearchanges), I took it to my stealership and they hooked up the gearbox to their magic computer brain.  It turned out to be the electronic valve block.  Some £1200 later, all mended, although I still get a few bad changes from time to time, but thankfully ones that are not dangerous.

I plan on taking the car to Andy Gayle when the service is due for him to pass judgement on the repair.

I hope you don't get what I caught.

I believe there is a thread about premature 5 speed gearbox failures.  What age/mileage is your vehicle.

My thread - http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=2&topic=372

Dave

 

[pavka007]

Automatic Gear box problem

Hi altreed,
The car is on 98 R but has cover only 15400 miles.
this £ 1200 sound like a h*ll
What is this electronic valve block?
Alex

 

[altreed]

Automatic Gear box problem

As your motor hasn't quite managed the 50000+ miles I doubt you'll have the same problem as mine!  The valve block is the bit that changes gear in a auto gearbox (I think), anyway it is d*amn
ed expensive and awkward to mend, hence the £1200!

I think you are safe from a valve block failure on your car at 15400 miles.

 

[dieselman]

EEEEEEEEEK! Wrong answer.

A collegue of mine has recently purchased a E220CDi with 30K on the clock. The car would hold third gear sometimes. It has been repaired this week with, guess what, a new valve body!

 

[piestore]

gearbox

Hi folks

you need to get fault code read out of star from your dealer, but it is very common for the plug entering the gearbox to have broken wires a repair kit is avialable via mb parts

 

[leith]

V class autobox is made by ZF who know much more about customer service than most, including M-B! Visit their web-site and give them a call.

However, sticking in 3rd gear is quite possibly an engine vacuum leak so check that the headlights can be adjusted up and down. If they cannot go both ways then fix 'em and you may fix the gearbox prob!

 

[piestore]

gearbox fault

I think that the ZF box is only fitted to the 280 petrol engine 1200 pounds for new valve block is in correct - Exchange recon box is about 1200 including valve chest. I would slill go for broken wire in main plug to gearbox please let us know.

 

[altreed]

The cost for the replacement Valve block was £324 including a form of subsidy from M-B as the car was 'low mileage'. The rest of the cost was for the stealership to cover their manhours and ancilary disposables, oil, seals, etc. A recon box may cost £1200, how much to get it swapped?

I hope it is only the wire!

 

[leith]

Piestore: ZF box (model 4HP 20) is fitted to V diesels too so I cannot see them opting for another box, (if there is one made elsewhere), on a V230.

Assuming it is a ZF box, and especially if the headlamps do not adjust with the engine running, then prise off the lower edge of the airvent next to the headlamp height adjuster switch. Pull off the two vac lines to it and try the car. No change and the prob may be one of vacuum. Costs nothing and takes 5 minutes! The car may well turn into more of a slug if this is not the problem...but will revert to "normal" when you re-connect!

Yes, I know there's no vac lines going to the ECU or to the EGS but
somewhere a vac may (not!) be pulling on a resistance which signals the EGS to go to "safety" mode....just a guess as to why this happens.

Best of luck