As the car industry continues to change and evolve, brands are having to progress along with it. Technology is becoming more advanced, and for the vehicles that can’t keep up with the changes, they fall behind. One brand that continues to be in stride with the technological advances flooding the car industry is Mercedes. They have now fully made the switch to vehicles that only have an automatic transmission. This change is meant to streamline how the vehicle runs and performs. By having vehicles that only have an automatic transmission, Mercedes has solidified itself as a forward-thinking brand that not only meets standards but exceeds them.
Even with all automatic transmissions, high performance, and technological superiority of Mercedes, there are still going to be times where certain parts need repair or replacement. One of those parts is the 13 pin connector.
What is the 13 pin connector?
The 13 pin connector is a socket where all the wiring for the automated functions and features gathers. For example, both the interior and exterior lights are connected to the 13 pin connector, all of which are extremely important to the function of your vehicle and your safety every time you drive. Below you will find out more information in regards to causes behind 13 pin connector issues and some signs that will alert you to an issue with this part.
Reasons Behind 13 Pin Connector Issues
A main cause as to why your Mercedes may experience issues with the 13 pin connector is that it has worn out o-rings. The o-rings are components that keep the pins fully secured and connected to the socket. If the pins are loose due to the o-rings being old and worn out, then wires will not remain connected since the pins are not being properly held in place. This can then lead to a transmission fluid leak because it will no longer be secured to the automatic transmission. There is the possibility of the fluid leaking onto the wires and short-circuiting the connection.
Another reason behind 13 pin connector issues is the breaking of one or more of the pins. As your Mercedes gets older, there is more potential for parts to be less secure than when they were brand new. This is the same for the pins of the 13 pin connector. They could become loose or they could completely break off. Either one of these scenarios calls for a trained mechanic to go in and replace the pins or the entire connector.
Common Signs of 13 Pin Connector Problems
The first sign that you can look for that will alert you to issues with the 13 pin connector in your Mercedes is a rough shifting of gears. You will struggle and receive some fight as you are changing gears due to a lack of transmission fluid. This lack of fluid is because when there is an issue with the 13 pin connector, the transmission fluid leaks. So with there being a lack of transmission fluid, the changing of gears will not occur as smoothly.
The second symptom to be wary of is that your Mercedes will go into limp mode. Limp mode occurs when the computer has been alerted to an issue with the transmission. The 13 pin connector is directly connected to the transmission, so an issue with this component will ultimately affect the transmission as well. In limp mode, your Mercedes reduces its power by automatically shifting into second or third gear. This way, you are still able to drive your Mercedes home or to the nearest shop without using unnecessary power that could cause catastrophic engine damage.
Servicing your Mercedes
The moment you notice that there may be an issue with the 13 pin connector, it is time to bring your Mercedes to your trusted technicians at Das European Autohaus in Spring and Houston, TX. We take pride in the fact that we will be able to offer you reliable and affordable maintenance visits and repairs. Our focus is on you and your vehicle. We want to ensure that you are able to drive away safely after we have used the most up-to-date tools to fully fix the issue with your 13 pin connector. Call us today or come by to speak to one of our expert technicians.
