View Poll Results: Do you have this transmission Jerky problem?
Yes
47
71.21%
No
19
28.79%
Voters: 66. You may not vote on this poll
2002 C32 Transmission Problems
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Lower NY Area
2003 E55 Blk/Blk
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Super Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
Of course the day after I vote "no" in this poll, it starts happening to me for the first time ever. I noticed that it got really bad since I drove almost 300mi that day in traffic and lots of WOT in other parts.
But I've got an extended warranty so if we find a solution I can have them work on the car without an issue. For sure we know this is only a 2002 problem? If so then they should be able to replace (not just reflash the TCU) and fix the problem.
Last edited by DarkXerox; Dec 12, 2007 at 03:16 PM.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Does this make me lose my Netherlands settings though (e.g. beep when locking car/unlocking)?
Of course the day after I vote "no" in this poll, it starts happening to me for the first time ever. I noticed that it got really bad since I drove almost 300mi that day in traffic and lots of WOT in other parts.
But I've got an extended warranty so if we find a solution I can have them work on the car without an issue. For sure we know this is only a 2002 problem? If so then they should be able to replace (not just reflash the TCU) and fix the problem.
Of course the day after I vote "no" in this poll, it starts happening to me for the first time ever. I noticed that it got really bad since I drove almost 300mi that day in traffic and lots of WOT in other parts.
But I've got an extended warranty so if we find a solution I can have them work on the car without an issue. For sure we know this is only a 2002 problem? If so then they should be able to replace (not just reflash the TCU) and fix the problem.
This is not just a 2002 problem. It just seems to be be more severe in the 02's.
Super Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
well (crossing fingers) it went away today after driving around normally. We'll see what happens but I'm not going to be using the car for a month after this friday (winter break). I'll see how it does in January.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 510
Likes: 1
From: dayton ohio hopefully it will be some place warm and sunny when i finish med school
2002 C32 AMG silver & 2003 Lancer Evolution 8 black very moded
do a SEARCH... this is a very old topic a lot of people had this problem taken care of with the torque converter lock up under warranty... its a glycol leak from the radiator to your trany
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 510
Likes: 1
From: dayton ohio hopefully it will be some place warm and sunny when i finish med school
2002 C32 AMG silver & 2003 Lancer Evolution 8 black very moded
The glycol leak in only one of the factors, and it is much more rare that the jerk is caused by the contamination than from one of the other sources. My car has had a bad jerk for the entire time I've owned it. The dealership check the glycol thing (not it), replaced the TCU (not it) and replaced the torque converter (not it). Yesterday, the jerk was worse than ever. The dealership still says it is just normal for the AMG tranny to do that.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
I got it fixed at Stealership before
but it is felt a little when I accelerate very slowly towards 2nd gear....
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 587
Likes: 13
From: The Windy City
'02 C32, '10 135i M-Sport, '10 E63, '17 GLE63S
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 587
Likes: 13
From: The Windy City
'02 C32, '10 135i M-Sport, '10 E63, '17 GLE63S
Anybody know if this is related or generally seen with an occasional harsh 1-2 or 1-3 shift also? Or is that a sign that I need to get my car to the dealer ASAP 
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
if your TCU was replace(hoping you got the updated software) and your C32 was produced prior to 9/2003 and you still are suffering from the so called famous "jerk" then its a glycol issue.... which is b/c a type of radiator manufacture. Like i said before this topic is VERY old... search and you'll see that if you go to the dealer and ask for a glycol test its free to production cars prior to 9/2003
I have MB’s latest TCU with “revised” programming and a replacement torque converter. I’ve personally serviced the transmission by flushing the fluid and replacing its filter. A DIY was my very first post on MBW. Perhaps you found it during your search. Oh yeah, it came from Germany fitted with a Behr radiator. It has never tested positive for glycol contamination. To this day, it still feels like a dump truck when the converter locks.
Maybe you just got lucky.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
That is not necessarily the case. ScottW911 is correct, as his travails parallel mine.
I have MB’s latest TCU with “revised” programming and a replacement torque converter. I’ve personally serviced the transmission by flushing the fluid and replacing its filter. A DIY was my very first post on MBW. Perhaps you found it during your search. Oh yeah, it came from Germany fitted with a Behr radiator. It has never tested positive for glycol contamination. To this day, it still feels like a dump truck when the converter locks.
Maybe you just got lucky.
I have MB’s latest TCU with “revised” programming and a replacement torque converter. I’ve personally serviced the transmission by flushing the fluid and replacing its filter. A DIY was my very first post on MBW. Perhaps you found it during your search. Oh yeah, it came from Germany fitted with a Behr radiator. It has never tested positive for glycol contamination. To this day, it still feels like a dump truck when the converter locks.
Maybe you just got lucky.
By the way, mine was produced in 10/2001. The dealer did look into the Valeo radiator issue when I took the TSB (printed from this forum, none the less). My car did not fall into the problem lot of cars.
Oh yeah, John (splinter) knows his stuff.
Last edited by ScottW911; Dec 13, 2007 at 07:46 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 510
Likes: 1
From: dayton ohio hopefully it will be some place warm and sunny when i finish med school
2002 C32 AMG silver & 2003 Lancer Evolution 8 black very moded
That is not necessarily the case. ScottW911 is correct, as his travails parallel mine.
I have MB’s latest TCU with “revised” programming and a replacement torque converter. I’ve personally serviced the transmission by flushing the fluid and replacing its filter. A DIY was my very first post on MBW. Perhaps you found it during your search. Oh yeah, it came from Germany fitted with a Behr radiator. It has never tested positive for glycol contamination. To this day, it still feels like a dump truck when the converter locks.
Maybe you just got lucky.
I have MB’s latest TCU with “revised” programming and a replacement torque converter. I’ve personally serviced the transmission by flushing the fluid and replacing its filter. A DIY was my very first post on MBW. Perhaps you found it during your search. Oh yeah, it came from Germany fitted with a Behr radiator. It has never tested positive for glycol contamination. To this day, it still feels like a dump truck when the converter locks.
Maybe you just got lucky.
super
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
02 c32
I have a 2002 with 57k on it. The car has no warranty. I get this problem very often, how do i go about getting it taken care of by the dealer? My car is prior to that production date for the bad radiator, lets say it is from the radiator, who pays me or MB? Is there any sort of TSB or Recall out from this? Any info would be great, i would like to get this taken care of.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
I have a 2002 with 57k on it. The car has no warranty. I get this problem very often, how do i go about getting it taken care of by the dealer? My car is prior to that production date for the bad radiator, lets say it is from the radiator, who pays me or MB? Is there any sort of TSB or Recall out from this? Any info would be great, i would like to get this taken care of.
You need to start by finding out if you have the Behr radiator (good) or the Valeo (possibly bad). The Behr would pretty much end that possible problem.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
02 c32
I just checked, i do have the Valeo radiator. The jerk happens enough where it can easily be duplicated. There is no warranty. Has anyone ever had MBUSA cover the cost to correct the problem? I am the 3rd owner of the car.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
2004 C32 AMG Black on Black
The glycol leak in only one of the factors, and it is much more rare that the jerk is caused by the contamination than from one of the other sources. My car has had a bad jerk for the entire time I've owned it. The dealership check the glycol thing (not it), replaced the TCU (not it) and replaced the torque converter (not it). Yesterday, the jerk was worse than ever. The dealership still says it is just normal for the AMG tranny to do that.
Does anyone with a newer model have this problem besides me!!!
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
I am pretty sure you are not the only one...with an 04 with that issue.
