[flash18]

Hi everyone ,I read the benzworld forums regularly and have saved a fortune using the information posted to troubleshoot various problems that pop up with the mercedes i keep collecting .

However i have drawn a blank with a problem with my 2000 a class 160 which has travelled a mere 44000k . It has gone into limp mode with the abs/esp warning light staying on . Fault diagnosed as p0600 serial link communication malfunction .

This is mentioned from time to time in benzworld forums however no one seems to be able to give a clear explanation of what this problem actually is . A few members have said -ecu/maf fried but i am not so sure . I would have thought ecu/maf problems would have bought up p0100 and p0170 fault codes .

Can anybody give me a concise explanation as to the meaning of this fault ???

 

[lofty]

if you search the web for EOBD codes you may well find the answer sorry can't help further.

 

[flash18]

if you search the web for EOBD codes you may well find the answer sorry can't help further.

Thanks Lofty ,I have made some progress . I am quite confident that it is something to do with the CAN wiring and the control modules for the ESP and/or ABS . Hopefully I will have time to work on the vehicle this week and I will give updates of progress

 

[lofty]

For all I know you could be Mercedes Top fitter, I understand thy don't have mechanics which is why they always replace with new parts and don't repair the used ones.

But it is advisable to disconnect the battery before touching the wiring , it's also very worth while looking for abrasion on the wiring looms, see my site for details, it's not uncommon to find abrasion down to the bare wires, and that certainly doesn't help.
good luck hope you sort it.

 

[flash18]

For all I know you could be Mercedes Top fitter, I understand thy don't have mechanics which is why they always replace with new parts and don't repair the used ones.

But it is advisable to disconnect the battery before touching the wiring , it's also very worth while looking for abrasion on the wiring looms, see my site for details, it's not uncommon to find abrasion down to the bare wires, and that certainly doesn't help.
good luck hope you sort it.

Thanks Lofty ,I started working on it yesterday ,Started by disconnecting the battery and trying to reset -didnt work . Opened the Control module box ,A couple of the modules had ben broken off there brackets which has made me a little suspicous ,somebody has been in there before me. I now need to check the modules, particularly the ESP module is in working order .I will do some research on how to do this . I have had a good look at wiring looms to modules and the wiring looks to be in good order ,I have seen wiring in mercs where the plastic is breaking down and this certainly does not appear to be the case on an initial inspection.

One thing i forgot to mention the other day is that when engaging in drive or reverse the transmission is very harsh and the engagement happens with quite a severe thump ,I am hoping like hell that this is part of the fault P0600 and not something else

 

[flash18]

Well ,Im not having much luck ,swapped esp/bas module over with a mates one and it made no difference ,next module i need to check is on the esp unit itself ,but looks like a bit of work involved in swapping over with mates and im not too keen on buying one and taking a punt as they are $300plus from a wrecker . Another thing i noticed today when i started the car up was that there was no display of which gear the car was in on the dash . So it wont even show an "F" . Given that the car will rev to the limit in 2nd im starting to wonder if it is the transmission module that is the problem . Anybody have any ideas as to why car is not dispalying which gear the car is in on dash (ie doesnt display-P or R or 1,2,3,4 or D

 

[lofty]

Flash, inrespect of the 'F' display have you read the mail I put on the link on page 59 thast mentions infra-red sensors on the selector module that when cleaned cure the 'F' Display , obviously it won't in all cases but it is worth taling a look.
Bert Rowe's-mercedes-Benz 'A'-class info. Gearbox (Manual) Dumbell replacement, loss of gears , gear box oil replacement.reverse gear and revering light
then link:- Fully auto ACS transmissions

Hope it's of some help.

 

[flash18]

Thanks Lofty ,yes had a good look at that page . I wonder whether the dirty infrared sensors could result in no dash transmission mode display at all ? any thoughts anybody?

 

[flash18]

I took apart gear selector and somebody had drowned it in WD40. Obviously someone had been trying to fix a fault in the past but may have done more harm then good. I know WD40 gets rid of moisture but i cant believe that drowning electronics in it can be that good . Anyway have cleaned it off and will get a good solvent electronics spray to finish Job . Hopefully this makes a difference

 

[flash18]

Put back clean dry electronic circuit board yesterday, Unfortunately it has not made a difference. I have resolved to buy a good diagnostic scanner and will park the car until I have it .

 

[jagathgunasekara]

Hi, I had the same problem in my wife's car A140 Automatic transmission. Initiated by disconnecting the battery to recharge after it was fully drained due to forgetfully keeping the hood light on. The symptoms were exactly what you have mentioned.
It was stuck in "Limp home mode" with very rough gear entering to reverse and the forwards but no more changing. No indication about the gear, ESP/BAS and engine control indicators were on continuously. Error code was p0600-003. Took to the agents in my small home town, they were able to reset software and clear the error logs for just £63.45. Hope this will help. Thanks

 

[flash18]

Thankyou very much for your post . I have just purchased a mercedes diagnostic and connected it up yesterday . I didnt have alot of time but about 11 faults came up ,the most serious was that the FTC (Front Transmission Control Module) was faulty .

I will spend some time on it today and will start by clearing faults and resetting as you suggest . I havent forgotten the board and will post when I have further information

 

[flash18]

Hi everyone ,have tracked problem down to transmission ecu ,will have to see if it is able to be repaired or whether i need to put a new one in ,been too busy to work on it over last few months

 

[mbzboy]

Serial Communication Link Error

I had a similar problem with my c240 a few months ago. Got the P0600 code saying it was a communication link error. My dash would not come on. The radio would turn off by itself. Lots of weird stuff. I tried several things and nothing worked. I was starting to get worried when one day my wife used her key to star the car and voila. No more communication link errors or weird things happening. Apparently my key was faulty and in turn was not communicating properly when turning the car on. Haven't had a problem ever since. (Knock on wood!)
Hopefully you have a spare key to try. Hope this helps.

 

[flash18]

Only just got around to clearing the faults ,car drove nicely then went back into fault mode ,this helped me pinpoint more accurately the fault in the front transmission control unit . It is apparently the solenoids not putting enough pressure on to enable clean auto changes . I have noticed driving slipping in first taking off on a hill and sluggish change into second . will update you on the progress with repair and outcome in due course

 

[flash18]

PS what I have discovered is that a problem with one control unit will bring up faults with all other control units it communicates with . Once the root of the problem is fixed the other faults generally appear to disapear once cleared .

 

[flash18]

PS what I have discovered is that a problem with one control unit will bring up faults with all other control units it communicates with . Once the root of the problem is fixed the other faults generally appear to disapear once cleared .

Pinpointed the problem as a faulty solenoid valve in transmission ,purchaed a new one and installed it ,cleared all fault codes and it appears that has solved the problem ,The car is no longer going into fault mode ,Unfortunately despite the fault being fixed which was essentially electronic it did not fix the slipping in first gear,A transmission specialist advised that the front K1 drums in the w168 are prone to cracking which causes this problem so it looks like i have to pull the trans out

 

[Visvalingam]

Hi, I had the same problem in my wife's car A140 Automatic transmission. Initiated by disconnecting the battery to recharge after it was fully drained due to forgetfully keeping the hood light on. The symptoms were exactly what you have mentioned.
It was stuck in "Limp home mode" with very rough gear entering to reverse and the forwards but no more changing. No indication about the gear, ESP/BAS and engine control indicators were on continuously. Error code was p0600-003. Took to the agents in my small home town, they were able to reset software and clear the error logs for just £63.45. Hope this will help. Thanks

Jagath is your A140 ok now?
My car has same BAS & ABS with Fault code: P0600.
Thanks