i have 97 e420 with bad trans mission control unit..the dealership stated that the fluid is leaking past switch and getting into wiring harness..they stated that the wiring harness needs to be replaced at $6500usd..any thoughts or idea..thanks..
Sounds like theft ... Although I suspect the issue is that the gearbox control loom is part of the main vehcile wiring harness (i.e not orderable seperately) - and that would be an expensive part.
Ask them to seperate parts and labour costs for you ...
Im sure a good electrical specialist will be able to cut the loom back a few feet and remake the loom - given a circuit diagram which are available in the USA from the main mercedes help line [for a cost]
What exactly is the problem with the vehicle. If its just oil in the loom. We have seen no evidence that this causes a problem with the box changes. With the electronic boxes we have come across a few with leaks and have just replaced the seals. No problem.
I doubt this is causing what ever problem you are having. I may be wrong. But let me know the symptons you are experiencing with any fault codes your dealer should have.
Vehicle wiring is designed to be resistent to oil, petrol (gas) and all fluids normally forund in cars. At worst it could prevent proper electrical contact on the plug/socket connection to the gearbosx, but a simple clean/degrease of the plug should be all that's necessary. Without looking under the car, it's hard to tell but it sounds like they're taking you for a ride. As Andy said, the seals should be what needs changing.
thanks for your responses, i felt the same way..beside
the dealer already has me for four hours of diagnostic time for the above..appreciate your response..
additional info re: trans control unit (tcu), stop by dealership and now they say they have no fault code but the tcu is not responding. inside the engine compartment they pulled off the module and showed that the fluid is seeping (strange that the fluid coming from trans to top of engine compartment). were you saying that the seal can be changed with out breaking the wiring harness..does this unclip? the vehicle only symtom was a harsh shift when o/s temperature over 100 degrees f..originally they stated code failure!none
is it also true that the trans fluid is synthetic?
We had a similar problem. There is no easy remedy. But the first thing is that they need to establish what the gearbox is doing. If the ECU is faulty. Then this needs to be replaced so that contact with the gearbox is established. The electrical loom of the gearbox has two or three seals. Once you have removed the loom. There is a conector which is held in with a 7mm bolt. Once removed you can gently guide the connector out. It will be evident where the seals are & should be replaced.
We found that the oil leakage was common place but did not cause gearbox failure. But if the Star Diagnosis will not talk to the gearbox. This needs to be addressed before any thing else can be done. So fault codes can be read and the live data from the gearbox interpretaded.
Hi.
I have a similar problem.
My gearbox was slipping between (I think) 3rd and 4th gear.
I took the car, E320 CDI, to my local MB dealer.
They told me it was the Electronic Gear Selection Module.
I Paid £460 + Vat + Labour = £670.
Part no (I think) A 030 545 20 32.
Afterwards the problem was still there,exactly the same, and they could not get the car in until another 4 days.
On re-inspection they told me it was an oil seal on the gearbox leaking oil onto a multiplug.
When I asked the Mechanic if the old control Unit (which I kept, just in case)could now be replaced, I was told yes but I would have to confirm with the manager.
The next day the team Manager rang to tell me that oil had contaminated the Control Unit so it couldn't be used.
Obviously I wasn't amused so I went in and saw the Service Manager.
I was now told that they would try the old Control Unit, to check if it was damaged, after the oil leak was fixed and multi-plug replaced.
I am still waiting after 9 days (back order apparently) for this.
I still have the old Unit, which is covered in oil and raises another question,
how did they not realise there was an oil leak when they swapped the part and put the new one in?
And gave me the car back!
Am I being given the runaround?
Please help.
Thanks.
Jon.
P.S. Does anyone know if this Control Unit can actually be reached by oil leeking from the gearbox.
I am under the impression that it is located under the drivers side of the dashboard!
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