C55 Tranny slip/jerk?
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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Last edited by spr; Apr 7, 2010 at 05:54 PM.

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.
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.



