benzboy

I noticed this in my '03 E500 and what was explained (by my service mgr.) was that on start up the E Class will remain in 1st geat for longer duration to allow transmision to get up to temp before resuming normal shift pattern. Seems to explain why mine did this on start up and down my driveway. Once under way - it's fine. I've not experienced any of the turning problems or warm temp "jerking" in this post.

SAguirre

My vehicle is always smooth. When cold, the rpm will rev a bit higher, but all you have to do to have it up shift is push the stick to the right and it will still up shift even if it is in D.

I would not put up with this kind of behavior from the car. If my car did that I would take it right back and tell them to fix it! This is a refined piece of machinery. If it were a Ford Focus or Chevy Cavalier, I would imagine that accepting performance problems comes with the territory of buying the bottom model.

If it bothers you, GET IT FIXED, it is not supposed to be like that.

Steve Aguirre

ThemisN

This was explained to me as well, however, there is a difference between reamining in a gear longer and jerking. At least I think so.

Char03

I know exactly what you are talking about but I never knew what it could be or if it could even get fixed. The car seems to jerk like a manual car that is in the wrong gear or something. It always happens at low speeds. I guess next time I see the dealer I will discuss this problem with sevice advisor. It will be hard to replicate for him though conidering it happends once in a while.

luxury1

I have the same problem also. Haven't taken it in yet though...

Frank Wiesmann

Every now and again, mine jerks right after a cold start up in the morning when I am standing still waitinfg for my front gate to open. I haven't driven but 20 feet. When I drive a few hundred yards and stop at the next light, it is gone, I had it before and it went away after I switched from ARCo to Chevron gas, but now it has returned at least once. Can anyone provide a solution?

Frank Wiesmann

Hello guys!

Any remedies for this problem. Mine did this a few times about a year ago and stopped when I switched to Chevron gas from ARCO. However, it returned recently. It does it when I have just cold started the car in the morning, backed out of the garage and am waiting for the gate to open, so I haven't driven 20 feet. The automatic is in the S position. After i drive and stop at the next traffic light, it is gone- apart from that i have have not noticed any abnormalities with the transmission, except for an occasional harsh downshift in a traffic jam when you have been crawling and want to accelerate again. Can anyone offer any advice/solution?

X72

Wow! Good for you drboxster. I would love to hear if anyone else has had the same solution as drboxster. My car also exhibits this behavior at low speeds, but it never really bothered me too much because I drive the car as if it had a manual transmission in first gear; meaning that at low speeds, I ease the throttle in and out to avoid the jerking. This has nothing to do with the cold start holding of gear to warm up the catalytic converter.

I have been busy with stuff that bothered me more. Radio head unit of HK stereo replaced twice (in my case the audio gateway was ok although I still get occasional static/popping even with the most recent software, but the stereo has blessedly not been locking up on me recently), water pump and power steering pump replaced because of slow leaks, AC compressor replaced after AC wouldn't turn on, AC compressor failed because of leak, Tele-Aid control module replaced, alignment with two corrective bolts installed ($270 not covered by warranty). My car doesn't have a phone or Command/NAV so I don't have to deal with those issues.
William
2003 E 320 47k miles

yxc145

Frank

I think MB developed a new ETU to solve that problem. they will either reprogram it or replace it. At least that's what I heard from Bevely Hill MB. I haven't done it yet, since I have no time and I have my ECU chipped. ask your dealer. if they never heard of that. ask them to call BHMB

sacguy

Have you tried asking the question in the Technical talk section of the forum?
Maybe the online MB tech can help.

sacguy

Does this jerking apply to 05 E500' or has it been resolved?

Thanks!

RJC

The jerking applies to 320's.

konigstiger

Actually it applies to ALL 03 211s. Once again, the fix that MBUSA has come up with is: TSB P-B-07.00/28f - FEB04 – Engine Control Unit Software Update.

konigstiger

P-B-07.00/28f - FEB04 - Engine Control Unit Software Update - 2003 e320/500.

CaptMike

Concur.....had mine flashed during the footwell ambient lighting ordeal....no jerking now.

Brian_I.

I wonder if this affects the 05's as well. Although I don't know if I'd consider it to be jerking but once in a while I get a slight hesitation and then once it kicks in it does slightly jerk a little, not as smooth as I would expect.

lig

Brian -

You'd notice it. Mine is like a yo-yo or pogo stick. It really feels similar to someone who can't drive a manual transmission and gets that "bucking" action.

The other tranny issue my car has is a weird hesistation if you floor it and have to back off the accelerator - it's as if the car has fuel starvation or something. Nothing happens at all.

Grrrr...

lig

modulated

I have both problems, the jerking (which is pretty hard when it happens) and the stalling when decelerating quickly, including a shut-off once a few weeks ago when I was about to turn left. Yeah that was a load of fun. Took it to the dealer last week, and since they couldn't duplicate the problem, they just didn't do anything. Second time in for the same problem.

I'm at the point where I'm pretty sure I won't be buying another Mercedes. It's incredibly comfortable and good looking, and surprisingly fun to drive, but I've spent too much time at the dealer for what we pay.

Brian_I.

Thanks for clearing that up lig. Whew...

mahwahdave

I complained about the jerking problem and was told everything was normal. I did notice on the shop copy of the work order that the alternate transmission program was used. The jerking has gone away and feels better now. The alternate transmission feels like driving in "c" mode instead of "s" mode with 1st gear still being used. There is now less engine breaking and a much quieter ride. I think the engine breaking in the lower gears was the cause of the jerking. I'm just curious as to why they didn't tell me about the change in the transmission program(not listed on my copy of the receipt).

byttcool99

Does anyone have any definite answer?

SydBenz

My 2005 CLS350 has had this problem from day one. The dealership has made half a dozen attempts to fix to but to no avail. I have had the car stall also.

Here are some details provided by a member here that are supposed to fix the problem:

P-B-27.60/61c JAN06 Rough Shift Quality – Rough 1-2, 3-2 and 2-1 gearshifts. Addresses any mechanical causes and performs shift adaptations.

P-B-27.50/59a MAR06 Transmission in Limp Home Mode with fault codes – Replaces flange (clutch) and valve body and addresses shift adaptations.

(As a precautionary measure)

P-B-18.40/29a MAR06 Leakage Between Oil Level Sensor and Oil Pan - Replaces oil level/oil quality sensor.

If you have lemon laws in your state you have a strong position to ask for a buy back as I am aware of some CLS's in California that had the problem and got their money back. I have the VIN for one of the cars that was bought back because of this issue. This might help if you want to push for it let me know and ill give it to you.

edspider

I've had my new E350 for 2 months. Twice I've had this problem. It happens during the shift from 3-2 in Comfort mode. Switching to Sport didn't change anything. In both cases it happened first thing in the morning. When slowing down to about 5 mph, it would jerk just before stopping. It went away on its own a few hours later. My theory is once you get it up to highway speed, it gets fixed.

I love the car, but hope this doesn't get worse or happen more frequently.

SEC1939

I have just started gettting a similar problem with my 05 CDI diesel. At about 30 mph rpms around 1200-1500. More noticable cold engine conditions

zergcerebrates

My car used to jerk until I took it to the dealership and have them test drove it. It usually jerks during stop and go traffic and yes speeds below 10mph. The jerking was caused by the transmission, after they reprogrammed mine it was perfect and jerk was gone.

BTW jerking is not normal you should have it checked for those who think its ok.