Tranny problem diagnosed
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 211
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From: Atlanta
2002 E55, Black on Black
Tranny problem diagnosed
As many of you surmised, I have a bad TCU. I asked the dealer about it, and apparently it is a common problem (big shocker there).
As many of you surmised as well, the part must be ordered from Germany, 1-2 weeks.
In the meantime, I'm stuck driving a gold ML350. At least it is brand new.
As many of you surmised as well, the part must be ordered from Germany, 1-2 weeks.
In the meantime, I'm stuck driving a gold ML350. At least it is brand new.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Atlanta
2002 E55, Black on Black
Originally Posted by Sauceboy01
how's the power on that 350?
-Danny
-Danny
Can't wait until MB puts a 3.5 L in the C-class. It should make that car a blast to drive.
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From: Atlanta
2002 E55, Black on Black
Originally Posted by Oil Change
please explain to me what is the problem, i want to know more.
thanks.
thanks.
Mine is shot, so my car shifts very abrubtly, often refuses to downshift, and gets stuck in too high a gear on deceleration (causing lugging).
The problems on mine started out as one-time events, that have gotten progressively worse. It got so bad yesterday I had to use than manual mode, and even then I found the transmission switching me out of gears on its own.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 211
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From: Atlanta
2002 E55, Black on Black
Originally Posted by Noble C320
A question. Lets say you dont use the tipshift ( I hardly use it) Would you still have to get it fixed?
Finally, the car would take me out of my chosen gear even in manual mode (random upshifts or downshifts from 3rd, usually). At that point I couldn't stand it anymore so I took it in.
One caveat to others who may experience this problem. My tech said a bad TCU doesn't always show a fault code on a diagnostic test, so your dealer may force you down the road of the dreaded "take me for a drive so I can see what you are experiencing."
Always a crapshoot with an intermittent problem
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Las Vegas
2001 SL500, designo blue and 2004 C320S
Originally Posted by r_liebo
Yes. This problem got worse by the day. When it first occured, I could leave the tranny in "C" mode (always in "S" otherwise for me), and no problems showed. Then problems arose in the C mode a few days later, so I resulted in tipshift shifting, which worked for a few days.
Finally, the car would take me out of my chosen gear even in manual mode (random upshifts or downshifts from 3rd, usually). At that point I couldn't stand it anymore so I took it in.
One caveat to others who may experience this problem. My tech said a bad TCU doesn't always show a fault code on a diagnostic test, so your dealer may force you down the road of the dreaded "take me for a drive so I can see what you are experiencing."
Always a crapshoot with an intermittent problem
Finally, the car would take me out of my chosen gear even in manual mode (random upshifts or downshifts from 3rd, usually). At that point I couldn't stand it anymore so I took it in.
One caveat to others who may experience this problem. My tech said a bad TCU doesn't always show a fault code on a diagnostic test, so your dealer may force you down the road of the dreaded "take me for a drive so I can see what you are experiencing."
Always a crapshoot with an intermittent problem
Went to dealer, svc writer poo poo ed the problem didn't even have time to test drive. I made appt for Mon AM and decided to drive the car all weekend so I could see if the problem was common and could be reliably replicated. Thankfully it could.
Cornered svc mgr on Monday, 2 min test drive, but even though no codes ever showed up, driving at parking lot speeds exacerbated the problem and after waiting for a week for the part to arrive from "Germany" (driving a ford taurus rental) got the car back on Saturday AM.
Now drives better and shifts smoother than when delivered new. Had to have been acting weird at delivery and just didn't realize it.
Would think MBZ would be smart enough to stock more TCU modules in the US.
Chuck
Las Vegas
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Atlanta
2002 E55, Black on Black
Originally Posted by c4791p
Would think MBZ would be smart enough to stock more TCU modules in the US.
Chuck
Las Vegas
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I have the same problem with my 04 C240 - trans started abruptly shifting - downshifting - driving in 5th doing 15 MPH - rumbling.
One week at dealership - they replaced some trans parts - said it was fixed - it wasn't - it is now back in the shop for a new control unit.
Hopefully that corrects the problem - hopefully it doesn't come back.
One week at dealership - they replaced some trans parts - said it was fixed - it wasn't - it is now back in the shop for a new control unit.
Hopefully that corrects the problem - hopefully it doesn't come back.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Is this the problem caused by trans fluid leaking past the plug and migrating up the harness to the TCU? I think it is....bad TCU is the symptom, leaky plug is the fix.
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
You did the right thing by bringing back the thread and addressing the issue.
and yes, infected, while the problem should have been addressed 3 years ago, it wasn't. Therefore, this is a valid thread revival.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 491
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From: Redding, California
AMG GTS
And what is the point of you posting when all you will contribute is "Way to bump a 3 year old thread?" Wth.
Anyways...
mleskovar...Would you happen to know (or possibly ****** a picture) of where the tranny fluid plug is at? I think I have some similar symptoms to costerdock and r_liebo.
Anyways...
mleskovar...Would you happen to know (or possibly ****** a picture) of where the tranny fluid plug is at? I think I have some similar symptoms to costerdock and r_liebo.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
