Having major transmission issues

RICKACY

MEMBER
1998 MERCEDES BENZ C230
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
103,000 MILES

My 75 year old mother has had this car since new. She has had all the recommended service done to it. The car seems to be having major transmission issues. It happened very quickly. After some internet research, it appears this is not unusual for this transmission. The quandry is overhaul or rebuilt? But first it seems to me the service center should pull some trouble codes to see what shows up, which they have not. Also, it appears that there is an updated transmission that came out in 1999 which, I assume, would be the one we should have put in it. Additionally, should it be torn down for complete and thorough diagnosis? It seems like a waste of money and a real opportunity to get ripped off. Better to swap for a rebuilt and get it over with? She doesn't have alot of money and the car has been very good for her until now.

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Pulling the codes is a GOOD first step, it could be a shift solenoid or something simple, If it turns out to be a tranny issue, a rebuilt is the way to go. And if as you say there is an updated one, that will fit and plug in to your connectors, it also is the way to go. MB isn't the million mile club car any more eh? The reason it's a good idea to read the codes is as follows, it comes right from MB:

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 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.

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.