C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

C55 Tranny slip/jerk?

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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 12:38 PM
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C55 Tranny slip/jerk?

First I know there may be a similar issue with c32's but I have not heard of this issue on c55's. I note that when cold the tranny appears to slip or lunge in first and second gears around 2k. It is most prevalent in parking garages. Is this the tranny jerk c32 owners experience or different? Again I haven't heard of this problem on a c55 so it may be different?

Anyone know of the cause and cure of this issue? I was told that when they disable the torque converter it goes away. Bad torque converter?

Thanks, SPR.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 12:43 PM
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Marsaydees
check trans fluid level
get torque converter gear adaptation performed at shop with SDS
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 12:50 PM
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i think i read that someone on here with a c55 had some jerking due to a bad speed sensor or something of that sort. i assume SDS showed the anomaly with the speed sensor.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 12:52 PM
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Probably,the pressure regulator solenoid is faulty.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 01:44 PM
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mine does this when cold and in "c" mode , like you said, in parking garages. afterabout 30 seconds it doesn't do it anymore.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 02:03 PM
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Interesting. I've already done a full flush and filter change with the better fluid. The fluid level is fine. I've also had it readapted several times. I'll pass along the speed sensor deal. This issue began roughly at 50k.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 02:37 PM
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since the problem only happens in "C" mode on my car, I just use "S" mode when the motor is cold. If mine gets worse, I'll definitely have to dig deeper.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 02:50 PM
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i just floor it!
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 04:06 PM
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I don't drive the car in C mode. However, it does occur both in Manual mode and Sport.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 05:12 PM
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same happens to me when in traffic my car jerks when i look at the rpm needle it moves up by it self by a few hundred RPM's with out me pressing the gas pedal.
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Old Apr 6, 2010 | 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by spr
Interesting. I've already done a full flush and filter change with the better fluid. The fluid level is fine. I've also had it readapted several times. I'll pass along the speed sensor deal. This issue began roughly at 50k.
Just about time for me to change my tranny fluid. What pray tell is the "better fluid"? Did MB change their tranny fluid? Is there an approved fluid that works better? Thanks for the help.
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 05:48 PM
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Search my post on it. There is an updated fluid used on the 7 speed which is supposed to have better friction. There are subsequent revisions by number as to same. As such, check the post as I don't recall what the different numbers were.

Last edited by spr; Apr 7, 2010 at 05:54 PM.
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 08:23 PM
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I've been noticing a similar issue with mine. With normal driving it seems more prevalant, it seems like it does it also at slower speeds when in a higher gear and giving it some gas it feels to slip and the slightly jerk and then keep going. I'm taking my car into the dealer next week probably anyway since my ESP fault issue has finally come back so I'm going to complain and see what they come up with. I'm still considering changing out to the blue top solenoids when I do my trans service soon. I'm at 35k miles.
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 11:10 PM
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By default, I always drive the car in C mode when the engine is cold, or I want to relax, or if the family is in the car, as the car shifts more lazily like a typical MB.

When starting off from parking, I also notice a slight "jerk" when driving off. I've always attributed this to one or both of the following:

1) the torque converter locking up, which is more pronounced when the tranny/engine is cold or

2) the car actively shifting from 2nd gear to 1st, as the car will deliberately go from 2nd to 1st, even in C mode, when the engine is very cold to reduce emissions. After a few short while in 1st gear, the tranny shifts back to 2nd gear which is expected in C mode.

I also agree that this only happens when the engine/tranny is cold. Once slightly warmed up, I don't feel much of this happening.
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 11:32 PM
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FYI the car will never start in 1st gear in C mode. My issues only occur when the car is cold or just thereafter. Once warm I dont' really notice the issue-
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by spr
FYI the car will never start in 1st gear in C mode. My issues only occur when the car is cold or just thereafter. Once warm I dont' really notice the issue-
Actually, I'm pretty certain that the car can (and sometimes does) start in 1st gear (or shift from 2nd to 1st gear) in C mode when the weather is very cold simply to allow the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature earlier by forcing the car to run at higher rpm's. After running in 1st gear for ~5-10 seconds, it upshifts to 2nd gear. After that, it behaves like C mode should......starting off in 2nd gear from a stop. This happens to me almost daily in the winter when I leave my parking garage.

Although not explicitly stated in the manual, this makes sense, as the transmission's priority after a cold start is to run the car at higher rpm's. The car manual clearly states that "After a cold start, the automatic transmission shifts at a higher engine revolution. This allows the catalytic convter to reach its operating temperature earlier."......."During the brief warm-up, transmission upshifting is delayed. This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to operating temperature." Both of these statements counter what is supposed to happen in C mode, which may explain why we feel more "jerkiness" when cold and starting the car in C mode.

Just my hypothesis....and my observations.
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