C220 cdi gear box drama

[Jmelouise]

Hi. New here. I have a c220 cdi , 64 plate. I’ve had it since November 2022. Recently I’ve noticed a delay when starting the engine up. And sluggish gear changes. Then went into limp mode with a check engine light. Went garage. Was told gear sensor has been reset and all was ok. 3 days later, all issues and warning light returned. I was sent to a transmission specialist and told it was the gear box cpu (range switch was mentioned also) that’s knackered and will be £1600 to resolve. My questions is. Will this happen again? Garage said it’s a common fault. So do I repair and sell while I can still get a decent price? Has anyone else had this issue before? Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[rich.g.williams]

Delay when starting engine is something that can happen (on older cars) if the computer ETC (TCU) controlling the automatic transmission is not present (or broken).

You need to give better descriptions please? For instance what kind of transmission do you have. If you have the 722.9 7G-Tronic the ETC is inside the transmission and is part of a larger sub-assembly.

More info please?

 

[onefortheroad]

Hi. New here. I have a c220 cdi , 64 plate. I’ve had it since November 2022. Recently I’ve noticed a delay when starting the engine up. And sluggish gear changes. Then went into limp mode with a check engine light. Went garage. Was told gear sensor has been reset and all was ok. 3 days later, all issues and warning light returned. I was sent to a transmission specialist and told it was the gear box cpu (range switch was mentioned also) that’s knackered and will be £1600 to resolve. My questions is. Will this happen again? Garage said it’s a common fault. So do I repair and sell while I can still get a decent price? Has anyone else had this issue before? Any advice greatly appreciated.

TCU refurbishment is an option , it's around £240 plus labour for someone to drop gearbox and reinstall. . £1360 for labour is ott if that's their intention on a fix .
£215 here or £415 if you leave the car.

5WP21012, 5WP21013, 5WP21101, 5WP21302, Mercedes C-Class 7G-Tronic ECU/TCU Conductor Plate | Controlunits – ABS pump & ecu repair

New – Exchange – Repair of automotive ECUs

controlunits.co.uk

May not be close to you , but there are other places doing them.

 

[Jmelouise]

Sorry I’m new to driving and almost brand new to Mercedes lol. I believe I have the 7g tronic.
Automatic transmission. And that’s exactly the issue I have. The computer controlling the transmission isn’t working. Subsequently they said they have to get the replacement part from Mercedes and there can be some delays with that. My car is 2015 and has only done 54000 miles. Is this likely to happen again in the future? Thank u for replies

 

[Jmelouise]

TCU refurbishment is an option , it's around £240 plus labour for someone to drop gearbox and reinstall. . £1360 for labour is ott if that's their intention on a fix .
£215 here or £415 if you leave the car.

5WP21012, 5WP21013, 5WP21101, 5WP21302, Mercedes C-Class 7G-Tronic ECU/TCU Conductor Plate | Controlunits – ABS pump & ecu repair

New – Exchange – Repair of automotive ECUs

controlunits.co.uk

May not be close to you , but there are other places doing them.

They’re planing to replace the part and apparently that minus the labour is already £1000

 

[Jmelouise]

I am in Suffolk. Between Cambridge and Sudbury. Just for reference.

 

[ajlsl600]

Prob not but with today's QC who knows. Go talk to one of indies in ur area that are known on here,is ur best bet if u don't intend to hav a go yourself. Can be a bit of a can of worms.

 

[Jmelouise]

Prob not but with today's QC who knows. Go talk to one of indies in ur area that are known on here,is ur best bet if u don't intend to hav a go yourself. Can be a bit of a can of worms.

Do u mean having a go myself can be a can of worms? Or this issue can be like a can of worms? Lol.

 

[ajlsl600]

I think you do some more research , onefortheroad has advised you . You cud change the electroplate in the gbox? But if Yr not handy with the spanners get indie to do the job. I wud hav a go myself but for me retired time not big issue, yet! Hanging on to my cash is!
With modern electronics, nothing is really garrantee to be a cure, hence value in research as ur trying to do now.

 

[onefortheroad]

They’re planing to replace the part and apparently that minus the labour is already £1000

Well it will be if replacement is brand new . There are other roads to take. I've offered you an alternative.

 

[rich.g.williams]

Sorry I’m new to driving and almost brand new to Mercedes lol. I believe I have the 7g tronic.
Automatic transmission. And that’s exactly the issue I have. The computer controlling the transmission isn’t working. Subsequently they said they have to get the replacement part from Mercedes and there can be some delays with that. My car is 2015 and has only done 54000 miles. Is this likely to happen again in the future? Thank u for replies

If this is being done by a Mercedes main dealer is it a possibility to negotiate with them, they won't admit any liability but the idea of a Mercedes microcontroller failing after "a few years and a few miles" is alien, and it's not as if anything a driver can do can make such failure more likely.

At the very least get them to explain why the transmission microcontroller has gone off line (stopped communicating) and if it is still communicating get a list of error codes.

The various Mercedes Indies do a good job but in this case they may be getting Mercedes "off the hook" as it were. See what I'm getting at?

Just a thought.

 

[Jmelouise]

If this is being done by a Mercedes main dealer is it a possibility to negotiate with them, they won't admit any liability but the idea of a Mercedes microcontroller failing after "a few years and a few miles" is alien, and it's not as if anything a driver can do can make such failure more likely.

At the very least get them to explain why the transmission microcontroller has gone off line (stopped communicating) and if it is still communicating get a list of error codes.

The various Mercedes Indies do a good job but in this case they may be getting Mercedes "off the hook" as it were. See what I'm getting at?

Just a thought.

Not being done by Mercedes. It’s being done by a transmission specialist in my home town. What I was told is ‘it’s a common fault in the 7g tronic c class’. But ‘rare with such a low mileage’. I was concerned that my lead foot had triggered it. They said it’s the range sensor or switch that’s gone. But they can’t just replace that part alone. I’ve accepted that the work needs to be done and the money is there. I’m just really considering selling it once I get it back. Maybe get a Volvo lol. That was really my question. Is this the beginning of the car becoming a money pit, if so. It’s gotta go. But, I will put those questions to the mechanic and ask for the exact codes. Thank u. I appreciate any and all advice. I only passed my test last year so I’m painfully new to all this lol.

 

[ajlsl600]

On a note ref pt prices
I stopped looking at newer cars esp benz when it became known headlights were over a grand, pure stupidity. And why our insurances are going thru the roof
All are laughing their bxxlocks off at end user.
Not ever going there.

 

[Jmelouise]

On a note ref pt prices
I stopped looking at newer cars esp benz when it became known headlights were over a grand, pure stupidity. And why our insurances are going thru the roof
All are laughing their bxxlocks off at end user.
Not ever going there.

That’s good to know. Thank u.

 

[rich.g.williams]

Not being done by Mercedes. It’s being done by a transmission specialist in my home town. What I was told is ‘it’s a common fault in the 7g tronic c class’. But ‘rare with such a low mileage’. I was concerned that my lead foot had triggered it. They said it’s the range sensor or switch that’s gone. But they can’t just replace that part alone. I’ve accepted that the work needs to be done and the money is there. I’m just really considering selling it once I get it back. Maybe get a Volvo lol. That was really my question. Is this the beginning of the car becoming a money pit, if so. It’s gotta go. But, I will put those questions to the mechanic and ask for the exact codes. Thank u. I appreciate any and all advice. I only passed my test last year so I’m painfully new to all this lol.

This is all beginning to sound a bit odd to me, maybe hold back on this for a little and consider taking the car to a Mercedes main dealer for an opinion.

Can't see how your driving could trigger this fault. Cars can become money pits especially if you don't work at understanding faults yourself. Bad idea to go along with an illogical sounding fix as in " well its only a little switch gone but easier to replace entire £1500 part" it's cobblers.

PS please do realise that the Mercedes 722.9 (7G-Tronic) is a truly superb transmission. Even the Mercedes 722.6 (5G-Tronic) has become a de-facto standard used by several car and truck makers European and US

 

[Jmelouise]

This is all beginning to sound a bit odd to me, maybe hold back on this for a little and consider taking the car to a Mercedes main dealer for an opinion.

Can't see how your driving could trigger this fault. Cars can become money pits especially if you don't work at understanding faults yourself. Bad idea to go along with an illogical sounding fix as in " well its only a little switch gone but easier to replace entire £1500 part" it's cobblers.

PS please do realise that the Mercedes 722.9 (7G-Tronic) is a truly superb transmission. Even the Mercedes 722.6 (5G-Tronic) has become a de-facto standard used by several car and truck makers European and US

 

[Jmelouise]

I don’t think I’m explaining very well so I’ve posted a pic of the quote. It’s brief but may get a better understanding of the issue than me. I defo need to research and understand the car more. But this is why I joined the site. Seemed to be a good place to start. Side note. Mechanic never said my driving caused the issue. Family did lol. Said I drive to fast and have caused it to break fast lol.

 

[mioba]

Ahhh the conductor plate. well covered here.

I would get a second opinion mind from a MB specialist - was your garage a general garage.

 

[rich.g.williams]

I don’t think I’m explaining very well so I’ve posted a pic of the quote. It’s brief but may get a better understanding of the issue than me. I defo need to research and understand the car more. But this is why I joined the site. Seemed to be a good place to start. Side note. Mechanic never said my driving caused the issue. Family did lol. Said I drive to fast and have caused it to break fast lol.

Yes understand better now, maybe best just to pay what they ask (looks a pretty genuine quote to me) and be done with it.

We all agree that the 722.9 "conductor plate" is horrendously expensive.

Yes you have made a good start with a good car - don't give up on it, just invest a bit more time in future to understand what you have and understand any faults that might arise.

 

[Jmelouise]

Yes understand better now, maybe best just to pay what they ask (looks a pretty genuine quote to me) and be done with it.

We all agree that the 722.9 "conductor plate" is horrendously expensive.

Yes you have made a good start with a good car - don't give up on it, just invest a bit more time in future to understand what you have and understand any faults that might arise.

Thank u. He said should be good for another 100k miles once done