Need help with a couple of issues on C Coupe
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Huntsville, Al
Need help with a couple of issues on C Coupe
Hey all -
Just got my car back from the dealer for the same issues they can not resolve.
First - the car has a surge that some days is pretty bad and some not. It is most notable at ~2000 RPM at steady throttle. Also, sometime when leaving in 1st gear, the car "bucks" like the motor has been shut down for a second, then back on.
I am tired of the dealer saying there is not problem. They did admit to it two times and even replaced the computer, but now "the car is fine and we don't see a code on the computer".
Second - I have the classic jump out of first gear problem if I don't get the shifter passed both clicks. On one forum people have gotten this fixed by a gear oil change. Anyone here been through this? The Crossfire video from UK test drivers had this problem. Of course MB dealer has never heard of it....
Third - Is the connection (electronic) between the throttle pedal and actuator that opens the throttle body linear? On my car, when I take my foot off the throttle, it takes a full second for the engine to respond. I think this issue and surge are related - possibly a bad throttle body actuator.
Any help would be great.
Just got my car back from the dealer for the same issues they can not resolve.
First - the car has a surge that some days is pretty bad and some not. It is most notable at ~2000 RPM at steady throttle. Also, sometime when leaving in 1st gear, the car "bucks" like the motor has been shut down for a second, then back on.
I am tired of the dealer saying there is not problem. They did admit to it two times and even replaced the computer, but now "the car is fine and we don't see a code on the computer".
Second - I have the classic jump out of first gear problem if I don't get the shifter passed both clicks. On one forum people have gotten this fixed by a gear oil change. Anyone here been through this? The Crossfire video from UK test drivers had this problem. Of course MB dealer has never heard of it....
Third - Is the connection (electronic) between the throttle pedal and actuator that opens the throttle body linear? On my car, when I take my foot off the throttle, it takes a full second for the engine to respond. I think this issue and surge are related - possibly a bad throttle body actuator.
Any help would be great.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
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From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
Second: The 1-2 shift in my 03 6-spd has never been great but is slowly getting better and, with 20K km, is almost acceptable. The regional rep's response when he looked at it in the spring was "Hey, yours is actually pretty good", so they know they have a problem and they can't or won't do anything about it. However, I don't quite know what you mean by "two clicks". For sure it will jump out pretty quickly if the gear is not fully engaged. Any standard transmission will do that and you have to feel that the gear lever has moved all the way forward. Does it jump out only at a stop when you changed into first from neutral, or after you've been driving and have shifted down from second? If the former, from neutral you could try moving the gear lever into second and then first. Someone who knows more than me about mt's may be able to explain why you sometimes need to do that, but I've found it necessary on a wide range of cars.
I agree that 1 and 3 could easily be part of the same problem. A full second to wait for the engine throttle to back out sounds really dangerous to me. My throttle backs off instantly. Don't know what to suggest though.
I agree that 1 and 3 could easily be part of the same problem. A full second to wait for the engine throttle to back out sounds really dangerous to me. My throttle backs off instantly. Don't know what to suggest though.
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From: Huntsville, Al
Thanks for the reply lars -
Yes my 1st to 2nd shift has been rough and they know it is a problem. Like yours at 13,000 miles mine is getting better. The issue with 1st is it has two defenite clicks to fully engage 1st gear. If I am not paying attention and only get passed the first click, it will jump out of gear under power - WAM. People riding with me think it was hit by another car. I can't remember another standard car that had two clicks into first so I really have to watch it. But, like the 2nd gear break-in the double click is getting less noticable. Yes, if you got from 2nd to first it will help align the gears up as they slow. The 1st gear jump happens from a full stop when sitting at a stop with trans in neutral and it don't push hard enough to get passed the second click.
So your throttle backs off instantly..mmm and as it should. I did raise the safety consern with the dealer only to deaf ears. Time to call MBUSA.
I guess I should not complain too much. My friend bought a BMW 330ci convertable for $46K the same time I bought the MB and has had it towed in 4 times for electical problems.
Yes my 1st to 2nd shift has been rough and they know it is a problem. Like yours at 13,000 miles mine is getting better. The issue with 1st is it has two defenite clicks to fully engage 1st gear. If I am not paying attention and only get passed the first click, it will jump out of gear under power - WAM. People riding with me think it was hit by another car. I can't remember another standard car that had two clicks into first so I really have to watch it. But, like the 2nd gear break-in the double click is getting less noticable. Yes, if you got from 2nd to first it will help align the gears up as they slow. The 1st gear jump happens from a full stop when sitting at a stop with trans in neutral and it don't push hard enough to get passed the second click.
So your throttle backs off instantly..mmm and as it should. I did raise the safety consern with the dealer only to deaf ears. Time to call MBUSA.
I guess I should not complain too much. My friend bought a BMW 330ci convertable for $46K the same time I bought the MB and has had it towed in 4 times for electical problems.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Oh, and I had the throttle surging problem...twice...
and they recently replaced the entire fuel injection system to fix it.
After which the car has been kinda wimpy...in the shop now for SRS error, so see if they can get it pumped up again.
and they recently replaced the entire fuel injection system to fix it.
After which the car has been kinda wimpy...in the shop now for SRS error, so see if they can get it pumped up again.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
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From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
66 Roadster...I'm thinkin get a new TCU(Transmission Control Unit) from the dealer. It's a common problem in the C's. It used to happen to mine when i first got it and didnt no how to drive it that good. But now it doesnt happen as ofter i put a bit more power into accelerating.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
There are two clicks going into first because the first is the lockout to stop you from going into first while moving at a speed to high for 1st. I always shift into first when fully stopped and push it all the way in. Never had it pop out. Neither has my wife and this is her first standard shift car. While this should not be a problem it may be worse for you than any other. I do not notice the two clicks, I just shift and do not think about it, I slide til the lever is fully engaged. Without thinking about it. Anyhow, this could just be a simple alignment issue with the linkage. The dealer should adjust that for you under warranty. But if you keep having the same issues and the dealer can not find or fix them, then it is time to visit another dealer. My 2003 6 speed has 30,000 miles on it and no issues what so ever with the shifting or with the accelerator. And the accelerator is most likely a bad part at the throttle body or the ECU.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Huntsville, Al
Most people dont notice two clicks so I think some transmissions are just "sticky". The Coupe forum (which I can no longer find) talked about this problem with the solution being a better grade of trans fluid- this also helped the 2nd gear to engage smoother.
So, what common problem does the TCU cause?? Surging?
I will call MBUSA this afternoon and let you all know the results.
So, what common problem does the TCU cause?? Surging?
I will call MBUSA this afternoon and let you all know the results.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
"They are having a tech specialist contact the dealer"
Cool...
the regional tech guy in my area has been really good to me....
got the dealer of their butts.
Cool...
the regional tech guy in my area has been really good to me....
got the dealer of their butts.
