722.6 transmission and converter lock-up question
here is the car about 20 seconds after being started:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvmWHmq_Hv0
here is the car about 2 minutes after being started. you can see that the last off/on throttle attempt that i do, the TCU locks the hell out of the converter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQL2gpfV3K8
here is how i can bypass the clunk, i actually didnt give it a lot of gas, maybe 35-40%, that's why the TCU for a split second considered locking the converter but decided to leave it unlocked. at 50% throttle, the RPM's never even dip down because the TCU never even considers locking the converter at that level of throttle input. i'll have to take a video of that too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJQUM-5tIkM
this is so obvious that it's a software issue. it's pathetic that we don't have a solution for this from MB or from a tuner...
Another go with the incorrigibles at first light mañana. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Damn certain it’s a software glitch causing the jerk – a subject on which I can speak with some authority.

It must be said that this is aggravated by any undue lash in propshaft flex discs, splines, UJ, center bearing support or rear axle lash, splines, CV joints etc. Everything needs to be nice & tight & to spec. No lash will smooth the errant transmission behavior.
Another go with the incorrigibles at first light mañana. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Damn certain it’s a software glitch causing the jerk – a subject on which I can speak with some authority.
It must be said that this is aggravated by any undue lash in propshaft flex discs, splines, UJ, center bearing support or rear axle lash, splines, CV joints etc. Everything needs to be nice & tight & to spec. No lash will smooth the errant transmission behavior.
why do you suspect drivetrain lash? there is no slop in any other scenario. the problem is that the torque converter is going from full unlock to full lock too quickly. there needs to be a prolonged period of "partial lock" to bring the RPM down gently before initiating a full blown converter lock.
Last edited by Dingleberry; Jan 17, 2010 at 03:15 AM.

I see no reason why one could not apply standard C320 mapping to the TCU. My only concern would be, will it then behave in synch with the ECU. One obviously does not want to change a C32's ECU mapping. I don't know the straight answer to this question but it is certainly worth pursuing.
If it was me - as long as I had both versions of the software I would try it - one could always go back if you did not like the result. I am by nature a conservative but calculated risk taker - I would try it.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jan 17, 2010 at 03:35 AM.
https://mbworld.org/forums/3678022-post97.html
of course i would be fuming if i just blew away $1000 + my time to install it and the clunk was still there

The good thing with a SDAS & the full software is if you don't like it or it does not work you can just go back to where you are. Does your car behave like splinter's - no problem after a hard drive? Tells me that software can fix it if it works after the TCU has self adapted to harder driving inputs.
The LET converter is interesting. Do they run it with the standard AMG software flash? Seems this clonk is common.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
The C32 has the AMG Speedshift features, which the C320 does not have. In addition to shift speeds being 35% faster, the Speedshift in the C32 also has the following features: active downshifting (the transmission will actively downshift with deceleration/braking so that you will be in a optimum gear to accelerate again), and holding a gear (without upshifting) when cornering at speed so as to optimize acceleration out of a turn.
If you find these features annoying to you when cruising around town, then simply drive in W (or C) transmision mode. In my C55, the tranny in C mode behaves like my old C240.....upshifts happen as soon and smooth as possible. It's really the S mode where the AMG Speedshift really shows itself when you are really pushing things and rpm's are high.
Unless you or your tech are really familiar with the TCU and its relationship to the ECU, I would not not reflash your C32 to a C320 TCU program. You do run the risk of screwing things up and getting error messages.

The C32 has the AMG Speedshift features, which the C320 does not have. In addition to shift speeds being 35% faster, the Speedshift in the C32 also has the following features: active downshifting (the transmission will actively downshift with deceleration/braking so that you will be in a optimum gear to accelerate again), and holding a gear (without upshifting) when cornering at speed so as to optimize acceleration out of a turn.
If you find these features annoying to you when cruising around town, then simply drive in W (or C) transmision mode. In my C55, the tranny in C mode behaves like my old C240.....upshifts happen as soon and smooth as possible. It's really the S mode where the AMG Speedshift really shows itself when you are really pushing things and rpm's are high.
Unless you or your tech are really familiar with the TCU and its relationship to the ECU, I would not not reflash your C32 to a C320 TCU program. You do run the risk of screwing things up and getting error messages.

Again, don't know if you're going to throw error codes, as the C55's Speedshift has an extra "M" mode which the C32 does not have. The C32 has 2 transmission modes (W/C and S), while the C55 has 3 transmission modes (C, S, and M).
Last edited by PC Valkyrie; Jan 18, 2010 at 08:32 PM.
Again, don't know if you're going to throw error codes, as the C55's Speedshift has an extra "M" mode which the C32 does not have. The C32 has 2 transmission modes (W/C and S), while the C55 has 3 transmission modes (C, S, and M).
I will try the c55 flash. If the car goes nuts I can just flash the stock tcu tune, right?
The whole point of torque converter lockup is to eliminate the "slush box feeling", so that the car feels more "direct", like a manual transmission with no or little power loss through a typical fluid filled torque converter. In the C55, I think it does that fairly well.

Exception - Microsoft Access!!!
The whole point of torque converter lockup is to eliminate the "slush box feeling", so that the car feels more "direct", like a manual transmission with no or little power loss through a typical fluid filled torque converter. In the C55, I think it does that fairly well.
i've read that the main purpose of torque converter lockup is for fuel economy
i've read that the main purpose of torque converter lockup is for fuel economy
Yes, torque converter lockup does decrease fuel consumption, but the main benefit from a driving point of a view is a more direct connected feeling between your left foot and the car's response, as there is a direct mechanical connection within the transmission when there converter is locked up (more like a manual transmission).

Being locked up like a manual is a worthwhile bonus.
ETC - Electronic transmission control
MB Number: 0305453032
HW version: 47.2005
SW version: 03.2002
Diagnosis version: 2/1
Pin: 11
so i'm guessing the dealer replaced the TCU for the previous owner in '05, and it appears that the software is from '02. STAR said that their were no updates for my TCU. STAR did not have any options to flash '03 software for my car. the STAR version is 5.8.7/02/2008
why would a TCU that was made in 2005 have software from 2002?
any ideas?
Don’t know that they were revised/improved in any substantive way, or if MB was merely consolidating their parts inventory.
Only the first four listed are ostensibly applicable to early build machines.

Curious footnote (which didn’t replicate during conversion to JPEG) regarding the #032 545 12 32’s SCN coding capability.

PC Valkyrie is almost certainly correct regarding the C55’s programming being incompatible with our earlier gearboxes. Pity.
addendum:
Attachment shows TCU/ECU interface and their control over the transmission.
Won’t be reverse engineering or hacking either anytime soon.
Last edited by splinter; Oct 6, 2010 at 07:02 AM.



That's exactly where I was going