Mercedes stuck in gear, limp mode, hard shift problems 722.6 transmission conductor plate. Oil leak.
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- Опубликовано: 5 мар 2023
- This is a detailed guide to the conductor plate on the 722.6 transmission/gearbox. This transmission is used in a variety of Mercedes from 1996 -2018 including S Class, CL, C ML,G, SLK, SL, SLR and even Maybach. You'll find the same transmission in certain, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Jaguar, Daewoo...and even the automatic Porsche 966.
The conductor plate is frequently responsible for limp mode, hard shifts, gearbox judder and getting stuck in certain gears. If you have a transmission fluid leak, this video will show you the likely causes and how to fix it.
The end of the video shows how you can save a fortune on parts for your 722.6 transmission in Europe, the UK and the US using a combination of URO Parts (apaindustries.com) and Rockauto.com. The Febi Bilstein repair kits can be viewed at partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com/ 
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Hi Mike! Very good video! Great explanation and concise. I am new to your channel as I live across the pond from you. 😊 please continue to provide more videos. Many thanks!
Hi Mike, thank you so much for sharing this video - it has to be the best video on youtube re the Mercedes conductor plate and valve body. I've learnt a lot from it and the part about getting spares is so useful too.
Thanks - one day I will get a chance to actually fit the conductor plate to my SL55. We have the same name! Mike Scott
Yes - and one day I may have to replace the conductor plate on my SLK.@@MikesMercsandothercars
Very well explained and got all the information I needed! 10/10👌
Thanks...I still have to find time to fit the one I bought for my SL55! Mike
Great video, seen alot of videos about changing the conductor plate. But none explained how vital this part actual is and what problems a faulty conductor plate can cause. Going to service my transmission after seeing your video will now be changing the conductor plate, thankyou!
My pleasure - I have yet to get round to actually fitting the plate I bought on my car! Mike
Great video thank you
Thanks. Mike
Excellent Video - Many Thanks
My Pleasure...I just need to find a moment to actually fit the new conductor plate! Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars - I've just purchased an CLK 32o with a 'Limp' mode and taking baby steps to find the problem and resolution:-
1st thing I found is the adapter plug is leaking oil so one is purchased and waiting to arrive
2nd thing I found is code P220A Y3/6n2 to Y3/6n3 is implausible
3rd thing I found today is the oil is 6 inches above the cold limit !!!
I'm hoping the correct oil level and a non leaking adapter will solve the problem however I suspect I will be changing the Conductor Plate but Fingers Crossed
Hi - that sounds like an exciting project.
Do you mean that the transmission oil is above the cold level?
Does your car come with an transmission oil dipstick or did you buy one?
Did you see my video on how to measure engine and transmission oil in the SL55?
ruclips.net/video/lkYPmtp8W4w/видео.html
Mike
@@1960livvy
@@MikesMercsandothercars Major Mistake on my part !!! - Despite watching many videos I have in advertently 'Dipped' the wrong oil pipe, in fact I didn't even see the other pipe loitering two or three inches lower down 😞
Yes I had to purchase an dipstick because the car doesn't come with one and has a one time only use cap 😡
Now I am hoping that when I check tomorrow the oil is low and this is causing the limp mode problem however I think I know where this is going and will only be fixed with a new conductor plate !
Thanks for your help 👍👍
You may be lucky....let me know how it goes, I'm intrigued.
Last tip....with transmission fault codes, it is not unheard of that you can fix the problem, and still be in limp mode because the code hasn't been cleared.
Some codes cannot be easily cleared by a low end scanner...and some (I believe) require DAS STAR to clear. What scanner are you using?
Mike@@1960livvy
Hi love your video. I just want to ask how much fluid you need if you replace the conductor for 2002 s500 (w220) 722.6 transmission, thanks
Thanks for your comment. Unless I am very much mistaken, the amount of oil for the 722.6 will be the same regardless of vehicle this transmission is fitted to. The trick is to catch what comes out, put the same amount back in and then top up as necessary using dip stick when engine is hot. Mike
Thanks for the great video. Do you have the part number for the solenoid o ring ?
Hi - you can get the O ring kit from www.jpat.co.uk/ for £3.38+vat. Their part number is N217 05 08. Hope that helps. Mike
Thank you sir
Hi I’m having trouble on slow acceleration limp mode also have codes for 0732 slipping in 2nd gear and wouldn’t go in reverse but when switched off it works and shuddering when driving slow w204 2009 2.1 sport thanks
Sorry to read you are having problems with your Merc. I am not particularly familiar with that model but with a P0732 error code the first thing I would check is both the level and colour of your transmission fluid - low and dirty fluid can cause this code and all sorts of associated problems. Next up, I would inspect the shift solenoids and associated wiring and replace as necessary. Good luck. Mike
Getting ready to do this on my cls 55, however do you recommend getting a brand new conductor plate and valve body?
Thanks for your comment. I'm not sure its necessary to get a new valve body unless you suspect a problem. The conductor plates are relatively cheap and are the known failure point so I am going to change mine as a preventative measure. I have since found a UK source for the O rings on the solenoids (www.jpat.co.uk/). The cost is just £3.68 so once again, probably wont do any harm to have a set on hand just in case you find yours are knackered. Mike
It's amazing that these conductor plates have always been a problem (both 722 version) and they haven't reengineered them to fix it.... I had my tranny serviced at 60k and hope I dont see this problem... but damn this is far to common of a problem not to have been addressed by mercedes
Thanks for your comment. I agree. Mike
I have gone thru the tedious meticulous process of changing the conductor plate and the solenoids all brand new. But the car still does not want to shift to higher gears but remains in 2nd and has a rear shift. What could still be wrong? Any advice/tip would be a big help! Thanks🤥😮💨😏
Hi - you need to clear the fault code otherwise your car will remain in limp mode. You may need to use DAS STAR system to clear the code - should cost £50 at an indie. Mike
Hey mike this is the most informative video ive seen about this tranny. last week my 03 e500 went down after sitting for a few months im hoping you can help me diagnose the problem before i spend big money on a new tranny. the fisrt day driving it after sitting i had a weird code for the throtle position sensor it would drive fine untill i hit the kickdown button and the rpms would go up very slowly. i drove it for about 50 miles without flooring it and this is when the major problem came. i was going up a smal bridge and it felt like it missed a gear and got thrown into neutral. i coasted to the shoulder cycled the key and the car wouldnt do anything in reverse or drive. i then took the key out opened and closed the door locked it unlocked it and opened the door and started it up it went into reverse went into drive and then once it was going to shift into second the rpms revved all the way up and i wa back into neutral 30 mins of doing that and i was back home. woke up next morning started it up and it drove good for about 5 mins them went back to the problem. i bought a tranny fluid dipstick and checked the fluid and it was high and smelled burnt my mechanic told me once the fluid is dirty brown and smells burnt time for a new trans what should i do from here. thanks ill be looking forward to hearing from you
Hi - sorry to read you are having problem. I’m no expert on your car but….the first thing I would do is make sure you are checking the oil at the correct temperature. See time code 10.30 in the video below……
ruclips.net/video/lkYPmtp8W4w/видео.htmlsi=yPakhedUETlYhgHa
The symptoms you are experiencing could well be related to the level of transmission oil…..My car had a slow oil leak which I assumed was engine oil because it was brown. Transpired it was tranny oil leaking slowly through the electrical plug connector and causing all sorts of scary symptoms.
It your oil level is OK could well be a problem with the conductor plate. Plug a scanner in and get some codes.
Mike
Hi mike
I just changed the conductor plate on my w140 s500 1998
And the problem didn’t go
There are still hard shifting from p to r and p to d
And it is stucked in one gear not shifting
I tried another TCM still the same thing
Is this because I didn’t clear the codes after doing this job ? Hope you reply
Yes - you need to clear the codes.
A good scanner will often pinpoint the exact problem...for example if one of your shift solenoids has failed.
Where do you live? Mike
Hi Mike , i have a sl55 aswell 06 .
Recently my transmission got stuck in 2nd gear and would not switch between modes
I checked codes (speed sensor) and changed conductor plate and made sure no oil at plugs .
Car ended up still stuck in 2nd after that .
I put another TCU for a s-class i have . Now car is stuck in 3rd gear and i can switch between modes
I erased codes with a simple computer i have aswell as a local guy that work on cars . And still no change to it
Any idea what it could be?
Hi - sorry to hear you are having problems.
Have you tried plugging in DAS Star and erasing codes? If not this is the first thing I would do. Certain transmission related fault codes can’t be accessed and erased with a low end scanner. I have a high end scanner and even that can’t do certain things that STAR can do….eg suspension calibration.
If you have done that and still have a problem, it might be time to switch around the solenoids to see if the problem jumps to another gear.
Last question…..I am assuming that when you are filling the transmission back up, you are using correct fluid AND filling to correct level when hot using a scanner to measure oil temperature. Wrong oil level can cause car to be stuck in gear. See my video on checking oil level.
Good luck.
Mike
Certain transmission fault codes can’t be erased with a low end scanner.
Do u have to program the new conductor when replace?
On the SL55 and older 5 speed transmissions, I don't think there is any coding but on the later 7 speed transmissions, you may have to code the conductor plate to the car.....see:
ruclips.net/video/hYhGnpuUt4s/видео.html
The one thing you do have to do is clear any historic fault codes with a REALLY good scanner. I have had many comments form people who changed the conductor plate only to be still stuck in limp mode...because they hadn't (couldn't) clear the codes. Mike
Hi. Very nice video. Thanks. I have weird problem with 722.6 gearbox in E220cdi. Oil from gearbox is getting all the way up to the Transmission Control Unit, contaminating both connectors, all pins and even filling almost half of TCU housing with oil! Oil comming trough the cables?! Cousing Terminal 87 and Valves voltage problems. Anyone knows what is the fix for this problem?
Hello - that is a common problem and us due to the seals on the 'pass through' connector plug failing (see 1.54 in the video). Once these seals fail (or if the plug has not been, inserted properly), capillary action can move the transmission oil up the wires and into the Transmission control unit. This plug was redesigned on later cars to stop that problem. The transmission oil can contain tiny metallic particles and once these get on that electrical connector (or on the solenoid pins) your transmission could start to exhibit all sorts of problems. The 'cheapest' solution is simply to replace the 2 O rings on the pass through connector. A better solution is to replace the conductor plate, filter, gasket, screens and of course the pass through conductor. Mike
The o rings are gone in the plug.. oil travels up the wires
Hi love all your videos great content, I’ve got a recurring fault which is driving me mad, it normally happens after driving 40 minutes eps flashes up first the cluster goes crazy car locks into gear changes on the odd occasion but clunks, cooling lights up abs EML, any ideas anyone ??? I Get different codes every time, any guesses kind regards Ben
Hi Ben - sorry to hear you have a problem. What model car (and year) and what country do you live in.
I'm no expert by any means, but my initial gut feeling would be either a wiring fault (dodgy or corroded earth connection) or maybe an ECU or CanBus problem. Car warms up after 40 minutes and a dodgy connection becomes intermittent.
If a visual inspection didn't yield results, I would be tempted to swap certain modules.
I recently visited the R230 graveyard and they could well have the parts you need.
Mike
Hi Mike I’m in the uk East Midlands it’s a mercedes SL55 2003 with 57k on the clock, definitely intermittent drives perfect then after 40 to an hour esp abs visit workshop come up the dash dances about and normally locks into gear pull over and turn it off then it’s ok again unless it’s warm then will drive ok then do it again strange one
I’ve Just change the front passenger side module/ Sam out today and brake light switch I will give it a try tomorrow, I changed the front drivers esp module last week didn’t change anything. Will take it for a drive then plug it in
@@benjamabbey6002 Hi Ben - A strange thing I discovered when researching the conductor plate is that the TCM (transmission control module) takes a signal from the wheel speed sensors via the ABS module.... If you had a faultly wheel speed sensor (or corroded connection) on one of the wheels, this could result in limp mode and ABS warning. Just a thought. Mike
Hi Mike. Thank you for your video.
My N3 sensor and rear speed sensors read a little funny on my live scanner, then fail and read 0rpm, when I hit third gear. I'm then stuck in 3rd, and the ABS light comes on.
Is it a faulty conductor plate?
Hi - I am no great expert in these matters but as mentioned at time code 4.44 in the video, the transmission takes info from the speed sensors and ABS module. If you have a scanner good enough to pinpoint which speed sensor is giving problems, it may be possible to switch them over to see if the problem transfers to the other side. It might also be worth checking to see if there any codes set which relate to the ABS module? Mike
It's all three sensors that are failing.
I also have the DTC's. Nevermind. I'm going to replace the plate. Thanks for your reply anyway. @@MikesMercsandothercars
Let me know if that fixes the problem. Mike
After clearing your codes, did yours shift fine, until it hit third? @@MikesMercsandothercars
If you have replaced the plate, you need to clear the code with a decent scanner otherwise the problem may still exist.
Turning the car off and on again resets the module and can sometimes get you going again but it doesn't clear the code.
I haven't got round to changing the plate yet because my problem is due low tranny oil due to a leak in the electrical plug. This resulted in some funky behaviour (gearing slipping or not engaging at all) BUT didn't set a limp home code. Topping up oil cured my problems temporarily.
Mike.@@duanebonney
Hi Mike, I'm almost at the point of replacing the control plate,connector plate ect and you mentioned that valve "O" rings some times leak causing problems and would need replacing, you wouldn't be able to tell me what the size of the of the "O" are. This is on a 2003 w203 C320 Thanks
Hi - these guys are based just outside Bristol in Langford and sell O ring kits:
JP (Automatic Transmission) Ltd
Tel 01934852772
The kit for my SL55 (probably universal) was part number N2170508 called a "sub kit, solenoid O rings 722-600. Cost £3.38+vat.
Hope that helps.
Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars Thanks Mike,I'll find out if they are able to ship to New Zealand
If not, let me know. I need to go there at some stage and I can easily pick up an additional set and send them over to you. Where are you in New Zealand/ We go over to Oz every year and have a few friends/family in NZ. Mike@@arthurwright2619
@@MikesMercsandothercars Hi Mike, Thanks for your offer it's very much appreciated. I've a daughter living over there these days who I can get to forward any items I might these days. I haven't pulled the control plate out off the car as of yet and I just thought that I might consider replacing the seals as a matter of course and might be able to obtain some compatible ones of the same sizes from engineering suppliers here .
I'm suprised that that the car that come off the assmbly line in Dec 2001, but only has 110K+ miles on it would have auto problems so early, normally have a transmission service done every 3 years as we are only traveling about 3-4k on average year.
Once again thanks for your help.
im possibly about to do this job to my clc180. do you think it needs new solenoids as well as the plate? the issue im having is that it seems to change when it changes up/down gears randomly. can stay in 2nd for ages into high revs when im just cruising down my street then sometimes it will change up early, only to change down again harshly if i slow down slightly. i dont even use the C comfort setting as its even more erratic. gear changes are smooth most of the time with the odd harsh change. somtimes changes up or down just when moving along in heavy traffic which i have to react to!
Just my opinion...and I am no expert but usually changing the plate, will fix those problems. Incidentally, the symptoms you describe could also happen if you were low on transmission oil - I assume you have checked this? Mike
where did you buy that plate conductor kit??
At the end ofd all my videos, I always list where I got parts and what they cost. 13.50 into the video shows a few options of where to buy- I used eBay - a company called Parts in Motion
My car still not shifting after the new conductor plate.. any ideas ? I also bought new shift solenoids I never put in yet
Hi - what year and model car do you have?
What are the exact symptoms - eg can't get out of park...doesn't shift from 3rd to 4th etc
Did you change the conductor plate yourself?
Was it brand new?
Where did you get it?
Did you change the pass through connector plug?
Any check engine lights or stored fault codes?
Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars I have a 1999 Mercedes Benz e320, it will not shift out of 1st gear I even changed the conductor plate it was brand new from Mercedes. Im still getting the same results I still have a engine light and I don’t know any codes as of right now.
@@idotbaby777 After changing Conductor plate, you have to clear codes with a scanner. Where do you live? Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars no I did not clear the code. Louisiana !
@@idotbaby777 Slightly to far for me to come and help you....but often, if you dont clear a limp mode code after fixing the issue, the car will still be in limp mode. Hopefully you issue is as simple as that. Mike
My w202 got stuck on gear 1,😢 after 1 km drive,engine turn off automatically,then start it again still stuck at gear 1 no upshifting to gear 2,3,4,5,
Hi - sorry to hear you have a problem. First thing to do is to plug in a scanner and analyse the fault codes. Engine turns off to protect gear box from potential damage. Does reverse work? Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars ow ,my car still can reverse,
@@sharilful I assume you have checked the level of the transmission oil? Low level will cause these problems.
Next step is to get a scanner plugged in and analyse the codes.
If you are lucky, it will need nothing more than a new conductor plate. Sounds scary but reality it is not that big a job.
Mike
Limp mode in Mercedes is 3rd gear, not 2nd.
Thanks for your comment. Actually there are several types of 'limp mode' for the 722.6 transmission:
The "Mechanical-hydraulic emergency running mode" (known as the light duty Limp Home mode) does indeed lock the car into 3rd gear or the last known good gear. This can often be reset by turning the ignition on and off.
The "Electric emergency running mode" is different. In this Limp Home mode, the gear engaged at that time is retained and the assigned fault code is stored. If you wait for 10 seconds after the engine is shut down and restart the engine, the transmission is locked in the 2nd gear and reverse gear only. When the shifter is moved from “P” to “R” or “N” to “D”, there is a huge clunk.
The transmission will be in this mode until the codes are cleared from the ETC by Mercedes HHT (Hand Held Tester) or SDS (Star Diagnostic System) or some third party special scanners or even the reversely engineered ones. Generic OBD II scanners cannot clear these codes from the ETC (although they can clear the corresponding generic OBD II codes).
I hope that makes sense?
Mike
URO Parts 50/50 chance any of their moving parts will fail prematurely. Left me on dark roads stuck like Chuck, cheap parts do cost more in the long run! URO will just raise their prices, not the quality, or do the shops raise the price as if they know a warranty repair will be due in short order.
Thanks for your comment - really sorry to hear you have had a problem with a URO part (s) failing. Do you mind me asking what the part was?
I could be completely wrong, but I think in the case of these conductor plates, they are all made in the same factory and and simply rebranded.
Mike