Can a tired battery make the transmission wacky?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
Can a tired battery make the transmission wacky?
This morning (44 degrees) the car started up kind of funny (cranked slow, stumbled then started and ran fine). But when I popped it into reverse, the rear tires actually chirped. Idle was probably a little high (1500 rpm?) but it never chirps the tires. Then underway it would only shift up to third gear. I pulled to the side, shut down, and restarted. From that point on, everything was fine.
I know my battery is shakey. It was tested and found faulty TWO YEARS ago! So it's probably due for a replacement. I'm guessing (hoping) that the weak voltage screwed up the transmission computer and sent it into limp mode. Batteries are cheaper than transmissions.
I know my battery is shakey. It was tested and found faulty TWO YEARS ago! So it's probably due for a replacement. I'm guessing (hoping) that the weak voltage screwed up the transmission computer and sent it into limp mode. Batteries are cheaper than transmissions.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 1
From: Miami
Bicycle
This morning (44 degrees) the car started up kind of funny (cranked slow, stumbled then started and ran fine). But when I popped it into reverse, the rear tires actually chirped. Idle was probably a little high (1500 rpm?) but it never chirps the tires. Then underway it would only shift up to third gear. I pulled to the side, shut down, and restarted. From that point on, everything was fine.
I know my battery is shakey. It was tested and found faulty TWO YEARS ago! So it's probably due for a replacement. I'm guessing (hoping) that the weak voltage screwed up the transmission computer and sent it into limp mode. Batteries are cheaper than transmissions.
I know my battery is shakey. It was tested and found faulty TWO YEARS ago! So it's probably due for a replacement. I'm guessing (hoping) that the weak voltage screwed up the transmission computer and sent it into limp mode. Batteries are cheaper than transmissions.
Trannys need the correct voltage to run otherwise they give problems as you just experienced. Sometimes it won't even go into gear.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
I'm trying to remember if MB has any security quirks to consider when I swap out my battery. Will my radio lock up?
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
You think?
How did you get a DD to keep running for 2 years on a faulty battery? I would have expected several other electronic anomolies to have cropped up before now.
The radio should not lock but you will need to re-calibrate your windows and sunroof. I am not sure of the other problems when swapping the battery.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
If your radio has a theft deterrent code inputted then just change it to something you know and after changing to new Battery just input new code and if you didn't input your own code then I guess its setup to OEM specs so it may be in your manual or just use a 12volt battery maybe 9 to hold memory of the system while you swap batteries...hope it helps
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
The battery was diagnosed as faulty by the dealer when it showed no symptoms (car was in for something elst), and I was certainly not going to pay dealer pricing and labor for a battery. So I just deferred. I didn't even give it a thought until this morning. It's probably the original battery. Almost 7 years on an original battery is pretty good.
Last edited by Fifth Ring; Oct 27, 2008 at 04:12 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 4
PLAID
This morning (44 degrees) the car started up kind of funny (cranked slow, stumbled then started and ran fine). But when I popped it into reverse, the rear tires actually chirped. Idle was probably a little high (1500 rpm?) but it never chirps the tires. Then underway it would only shift up to third gear. I pulled to the side, shut down, and restarted. From that point on, everything was fine.
I know my battery is shakey. It was tested and found faulty TWO YEARS ago! So it's probably due for a replacement. I'm guessing (hoping) that the weak voltage screwed up the transmission computer and sent it into limp mode. Batteries are cheaper than transmissions.
I know my battery is shakey. It was tested and found faulty TWO YEARS ago! So it's probably due for a replacement. I'm guessing (hoping) that the weak voltage screwed up the transmission computer and sent it into limp mode. Batteries are cheaper than transmissions.
Yepper, sounds like battery to me, ML does it all the time when battery goes bad (due to lack of driving it). Could have been that dreaded 89 octane too??
Trending Topics
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
1980 rx-7 with a 302
the sometimes not going into gear thing just sounds like a neutral saftey switch to me..
in my oponion it was probably just a burp in the ecu ( as i believe that the shift points are set there?) the high ideling is just becuase it was cold out. higher end cars usually have warmup sequences. if i were you. i would have the battery tested again just to make sure its faulty. however, a faulty battery does not sound like the issue to me
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
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
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
2002 C32 AMG
Change that thing A.S.A.P. A week battery puts more strain on the alternator. Basically, the voltage regulator never sees a full charge and thus keeps the alternator's output on constantly. This will overheat the regulator and kill your alternator.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 510
Likes: 3
From: san jose, ca
2002 C32 1987 190E 2.3 334K miles and going
Reputable automotive battery shops or even Sears provide temp power to your vehicle so as not to disrupt any programming set ups before removal of your battery. Good luck. And do it asap.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 0
From: In a box
W211 E55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Livingston, California.
2002 c32 AMG 2012 c250 Coupe
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Des Plaines, IL
C32 AMG
You think?
How did you get a DD to keep running for 2 years on a faulty battery? I would have expected several other electronic anomolies to have cropped up before now.
The radio should not lock but you will need to re-calibrate your windows and sunroof. I am not sure of the other problems when swapping the battery.
How did you get a DD to keep running for 2 years on a faulty battery? I would have expected several other electronic anomolies to have cropped up before now.
The radio should not lock but you will need to re-calibrate your windows and sunroof. I am not sure of the other problems when swapping the battery.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 1
From: Miami
Bicycle
however, if the car started and was running the alt was prob generating enough voltage to provide the correct power.
the sometimes not going into gear thing just sounds like a neutral saftey switch to me..
in my oponion it was probably just a burp in the ecu ( as i believe that the shift points are set there?) the high ideling is just becuase it was cold out. higher end cars usually have warmup sequences. if i were you. i would have the battery tested again just to make sure its faulty. however, a faulty battery does not sound like the issue to me
the sometimes not going into gear thing just sounds like a neutral saftey switch to me..
in my oponion it was probably just a burp in the ecu ( as i believe that the shift points are set there?) the high ideling is just becuase it was cold out. higher end cars usually have warmup sequences. if i were you. i would have the battery tested again just to make sure its faulty. however, a faulty battery does not sound like the issue to me
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Washington
02' C32 - 07' H2 - 07' BMW K1200R
This morning (44 degrees) the car started up kind of funny (cranked slow, stumbled then started and ran fine). But when I popped it into reverse, the rear tires actually chirped. Idle was probably a little high (1500 rpm?) but it never chirps the tires. Then underway it would only shift up to third gear. I pulled to the side, shut down, and restarted. From that point on, everything was fine.
I know my battery is shakey. It was tested and found faulty TWO YEARS ago! So it's probably due for a replacement. I'm guessing (hoping) that the weak voltage screwed up the transmission computer and sent it into limp mode. Batteries are cheaper than transmissions.
I know my battery is shakey. It was tested and found faulty TWO YEARS ago! So it's probably due for a replacement. I'm guessing (hoping) that the weak voltage screwed up the transmission computer and sent it into limp mode. Batteries are cheaper than transmissions.
I was just afflicted with the infamous seat control battery drain problem, and experienced nearly the same problems you did.
On a slow crank my car will not shift out of 1st gear, and the Winter/Summer traction switch will not function. After the slow crank the car "lurches" when moving the shift selector into reverse, and even more so going into drive.
Stopping and restarting may or may not correct the problem.
No problems on a normal crank with the battery just off the trickle charger.
I will be fixing the seat control issue ASAP
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: North Plains, OR
Crossfire SRT6
I am putting a new battery in the SRT tomorrow. I have been fighting an intermittant CPS fault for about six weeks. It wouldnt start when I installed the moded manifolds this week and I hooked up the battery charger at 200a crank and it started fine. Took it off and no start. Re-connect, instant start. Mine is the original battery also. I'll find out tomorrow if I fix my CPS fault.
MikeR
MikeR
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Washington
02' C32 - 07' H2 - 07' BMW K1200R
Ditto here!
I was just afflicted with the infamous seat control battery drain problem, and experienced nearly the same problems you did.
On a slow crank my car will not shift out of 1st gear, and the Winter/Summer traction switch will not function. After the slow crank the car "lurches" when moving the shift selector into reverse, and even more so going into drive.
Stopping and restarting may or may not correct the problem.
No problems on a normal crank with the battery just off the trickle charger.
I will be fixing the seat control issue ASAP
I was just afflicted with the infamous seat control battery drain problem, and experienced nearly the same problems you did.
On a slow crank my car will not shift out of 1st gear, and the Winter/Summer traction switch will not function. After the slow crank the car "lurches" when moving the shift selector into reverse, and even more so going into drive.
Stopping and restarting may or may not correct the problem.
No problems on a normal crank with the battery just off the trickle charger.
I will be fixing the seat control issue ASAP
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
