bnz616

A few months ago, I brought in my car for the transmission jerk problem. One of the major components changed was the torque converter. Now the jerking is gone and its all smooth. One difference I noticed was that when I park the car for a little bit, sometimes not for a very long time at all, the first gear change is a little different. It runs in first gear a lot longer before shifting to second. It seems as if I would be able to stay in first gear in automatic mode at that point without having to push the throttle alll the way. Then after that, everything is same as usual. Seems like the transmission fell asleep and it finally wakes up after the first gear change. Is this normal? It doesn't quite happen every single time. I expect it to happen when the tranny is cold in the morning, but sometimes it does it after I parked for a fairly short period of time. Time only happens on the very first shift after the initial startup. Otherwise shifting is normal and smooth.

Its not really a major problem, but I'm just curious if anybody else has this experience. It probably sounds worse in that description, but I'm just trying to describe it as best as possible. Since I had the jerking tranny problem before, I'm not sure what is normal.

Any thoughts?

drallafi

Hey, did they replace the ECU as well, or just the torque converter? I ask because I had my car in for 'the jerk' as well, but they couldn't fix it (surprise). My car has since gone out of warranty, and the issue is still not fixed. I'm hoping that since it was documented in the service history of the vehicle, that I won't have to go out of pocket to get it fixed. Thanks.

Lenin

bnz616, bring the car back and have them put it on the computer. It can be a number of things, from ECU to intercooler pump.

m3_eater

Have them also run a check for engine coolant in the transmission, while they are at it. It won't cost much (nothing if you're under warranty), and it is SO worth your time. The C32 has a common and VERY expensive problem that MB doesn't like to talk about. The coolant lines from the transmission, which run through the same radiator as the engine coolant, can break inside the radiator housing. Coolant gets into the transmission, and the tranny starts to misbehave (jerky at part-throttle accelleration, or holding shifts too long). Once there is enough coolant in the trans fluid (I think it's 400ppm, or is it 600 that is their threshold?), MB's books say the solution is (hold your breath):

A new transmission
A new radiator
A new transmission electronic control module
Flush and fill engine coolant and transmission fluid

Total bill (if you're paying) is around $6000.00 - and no, MB won't do a subset of these things. It is considered a single job.

raywong@hkstar.

I just replaced my radiator because the transmission fluid was leaking.

genechien

has anyone heard about c55's having this same transmission problem?

m3_eater

Oh, I forgot to mention that if anyone is worried that this problem might apply to your car, you can simply call a dealer with your VIN number. There is a service bulletin on some of the the C32s (but probably not the C55, it's more recent) to replace the radiator with a different brand. It is by VIN number, so they can easily check if your car is one of the ones that are likely to have the problem.

Expat

Anyone found out the VIN range for this?
My car's at the garage now and they seem to be having trouble finding this service bullitin (it's not on alldata yet either).

m3_eater

That doesn't make sense to me. It was in alldata when they checked my car.

Expat

Ok, i checked again in Alldata and I've found it, mine is produced before 09/2003 but has the new radiator so it doesn't apply:

A/T - Harsh Engagement/Buzzing Noises
Date: February 17, 2005
Order No.: P-B-27.55/50a
Supersedes: P-B-27.55/50 dated January 27, 2005
Group: 27
Revision:
Additional Applicable Models, Parts and Warranty Tables Updated
SUBJECT:
Model 203.040/061/064/065/081/084/261/264/281/284/740/747/764
Model 209.365/375/376/465/475
Model 211.065/070/076/083/265/283

Up to Production Date 09/2003

Harsh Engagement Possibly Followed by Droning/Buzzing Noises During Light Acceleration Between Engine Speed of 1200 - 2500 RPM

If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of humming/buzzing noises or noticeable harsh engagement during gentle acceleration between engine speed of 1200 - 2500 rpm; this may be caused by incomplete adaptation of the torque converter, the transmission (EGS) ECU software or glycol contamination of the automatic transmission fluid. Follow the below repair procedures to resolve.
Note: The condition is not intermittent and can be reproduced at all times.

Note: The Glycol test must be performed only if:

a. the vehicle was produced before 09/2003,
b. the radiator is manufactured by "Valeo", refer to Figure 1 for identification.

chyates

I have a 02 C32 with torgue converter issues

My benz dealer is giving me the run around on what appears to be this issue. When the car reaches around 1500 to 3000 RPM and 30-50mph I feel a slipping sensation in the transmission. The are telling me the torque converter needs a sofware update, and are trying to charge me $400 for this service when the car is under a Starmark warranty.

The are telling me Starmark doesn't cover software updates. Does anyone have any ideas on this?

The number of items that have been repaired on this car is amazing. I can't say I would every buy a Benz again. I guess it is time to move to a Infiniti or Lexus, because the Germans don't seem to be able to make a quality car anymore.

amgme

how do you identify if it's manufactured by "Valeo"

C32Luvr

I had the same problem which was fixed with a new torque converter and replacement of the cracked transmission cooler parts. Luckily, covered under warranty!

Bif powell

Had the same problem. Seems like I could usually reproduce it by driving really slow, but in W mode it happened every time, I would say at about 1700-1900 rpm.

They 'cleared the adaptation' and it's more or less gone away (thought I felt it a few times since then, but it's snowing, so the esp kicks in often). I would also say that under heavy acceleration (but not WOT), it's JERKY since then.

RapidG

Yeah, my 02 C32 started to buck and jerk under load. Verdict in this morning - new tranny, new radiator, control module. They told me the tranny alone is $6,000, plus labor - whole job about $10k, BUT I'm still under warrantee. It will be in the shop for 10-12 days. They gave me a 06 M320 as a loaner, so I'm satisfied. It's snow season, and this is 2 weeks my C won't be rusting.

benz-tech

Chyates- software updates ARE covered under Starmark. but the is no update for your trans control module. the '02 modules can not be flashed, only replaced if faulty. also, someone asked how to tell if the have the valeo radiator, look under the top of the fan shroud on the right side along the top of the sliver alum section of the radiator fins and in the center you'll see a valeo sticker - also the crimping along the plastic tanks is silver on the valeos and black on the new ones. one note to everybody with this problem - if your trans shifts better after they clear the adaptations, according to the bulletin, you do not need the radiator/trans etc. coolant in the fluid would be a hard failure that could not be masked by resetting adaptations. I disagree and would tell you all to make sure they actually perform the glycol test, it is a pain in the a$$ to do so they may be reluctant to do it right but once its out of warr its your dime.

fatboyblue

Just a note to thank you all in this thread. I have had my 2002 C32 at a specialist dealers here near Versailles for a couple of weeks with the gearbox judder problem, and was not certain if I was getting fed a line! Got the car back today with new radiator, torque converter et al...and she is running sweet.

Having had blank looks from Dealers up to now when I talked about the problem, it was great to find a team who recognised the fault and sorted it...service here in France isn't always what you might expect elsewhere such as the States.

Luckily I bought the car with a 3 year warranty, which has already paid it's weight in gold..perhaps this is why other dealers didn't want to get involved. Who cares, back on the road again for Xmas!!!

Happy Holidays
Fatboy

chyates

Benz-tech,

Thanks for all the good information. I had to raise hell, and call the local corporate service rep to get things moving. They finally did the glycol test, and that was my problem, not the software issue they wanted $400 to do. So I have a new radiator, new transmission in route from Germany.

This is going to be covered under the Starmark, but this should have been my first claim. It is not going to be, because I took the car in at 49K to fix a squeeking noise which in the end was bushings on the sway bar. To my suprise by the time they fixed the issue, the car had 50,400 miles, and they applied the charge to my starmark. So I am going to have about 6 months less of coverage. So I will be unloading this car before June when the starmark expires.

Do you have any suggestions on getting corporate to extend my warranty until 100k?

amgme

Thanks benz-tech. Turns out I have the Valeo radiator. I don't "think" it's leaking yet (haven't done the glycol test) but what can I do in the meantime to to prevent this from happening? The car is out of warranty so what are my options? Should I replace the radiator and just shell out the money now rather than paying a bigger amount later when the problem arises?

Dead Ringer

I would,.... where did you locate the "Valeo" on the radiator??

A-Pod

i am noticing a forward jerking motion between 2nd and 3rd i believe in my lower rpms when i'm going really slow...i have a 2002 as well, and am covered under full warranty with mercedes; should i bring it in? what should i say if i do?

benz-tech

you might want to spring for the glycol test, if you have contamination, obviously replace the radiator, if its your dime, drain the tranny fluid twice in the next 100 miles, or have your dealer can flush it. (you cant drain the torque converter) and see if the t/c lockup 'shift' improves, if you cant live with it, the its new torque converter time, and depending on the level of glycol contamination, a new trans. actually better to rebuild in the case of customer pay. the only real issue inside is the clutch plates being affected by the glycol. finally, if you just barely out of factory warr, ALWAYS ***** and moan and you may get some it goodwilled.

amgme

it's right below the fan shroud. you'll have to look at an angle (flashlight helps too) from the top.

amgme

thanks benz-tech. you've been a lot of help. a WHOLE lot more than my advisor. i'm willing to spring for the glycol test if it will save me more $$ later on. and yes, warranty just passed 9 days ago. i complained about my problem to a dealer in san jose and the advisor said it's normal for amg's because it's a high-revving engine. part of a warm up process... whatever! i'm gonna try a different dealer.

Trekman

do you guys know what brand is the new radiator for the c32. MIne is out of warranty I might just pick it up and install it