Transmission sticks in third on highway!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
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From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
Transmission sticks in third on highway!
If I don't have my tranny in "W" mode, it's stick in third.... Any ideas? Please god don't tell me I need a new one. It's runs fine in "W" but acts really weird in "S" mode.....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Did you try the ECU reset (or TCU reset, whatever you call it) ?
I know there is a micro switch that controls the switch from W to S, it is connected to the electronic gear recognition switch but I am unsure if you could replace it by it self. The whole unit (electronic gear recognition switch) is around $100 from the dealership.
I would try the reset first as it won't cost you anything.
I know there is a micro switch that controls the switch from W to S, it is connected to the electronic gear recognition switch but I am unsure if you could replace it by it self. The whole unit (electronic gear recognition switch) is around $100 from the dealership.
I would try the reset first as it won't cost you anything.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
Sounds like you have my problem, as I have yet to fix it (except mine does it in W and S mode).
I've done:
My problem is temperature related, as it won't shift out until the engine warms up (~10 min/miles).
TCU reset instructions:
1.Turn key to position 2 (on position)
2.Floor (hold) gas pedal for 5 seconds. Turn key to position 0 (off). Don’t remove key. Release gas pedal. Don’t open doors, windows, etc.
3.Wait 2-3 minutes for computer to reset. Start car and drive aggressively for approx. 10 miles. The computer will 'tailor' itself for a more aggressive performance.
Let me know if you find a solution/have similar symptoms like me.
I've done:
- Filter/fluid/gasket change (and adapter plugs too since they were leaking)
- TCU reset
My problem is temperature related, as it won't shift out until the engine warms up (~10 min/miles).
TCU reset instructions:
1.Turn key to position 2 (on position)
2.Floor (hold) gas pedal for 5 seconds. Turn key to position 0 (off). Don’t remove key. Release gas pedal. Don’t open doors, windows, etc.
3.Wait 2-3 minutes for computer to reset. Start car and drive aggressively for approx. 10 miles. The computer will 'tailor' itself for a more aggressive performance.
Let me know if you find a solution/have similar symptoms like me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Sounds like you have my problem, as I have yet to fix it (except mine does it in W and S mode).
I've done:
My problem is temperature related, as it won't shift out until the engine warms up (~10 min/miles).
TCU reset instructions:
1.Turn key to position 2 (on position)
2.Floor (hold) gas pedal for 5 seconds. Turn key to position 0 (off). Don’t remove key. Release gas pedal. Don’t open doors, windows, etc.
3.Wait 2-3 minutes for computer to reset. Start car and drive aggressively for approx. 10 miles. The computer will 'tailor' itself for a more aggressive performance.
Let me know if you find a solution/have similar symptoms like me.
I've done:
- Filter/fluid/gasket change (and adapter plugs too since they were leaking)
- TCU reset
My problem is temperature related, as it won't shift out until the engine warms up (~10 min/miles).
TCU reset instructions:
1.Turn key to position 2 (on position)
2.Floor (hold) gas pedal for 5 seconds. Turn key to position 0 (off). Don’t remove key. Release gas pedal. Don’t open doors, windows, etc.
3.Wait 2-3 minutes for computer to reset. Start car and drive aggressively for approx. 10 miles. The computer will 'tailor' itself for a more aggressive performance.
Let me know if you find a solution/have similar symptoms like me.
Last edited by 503C43 ////AMG; Jul 23, 2011 at 12:55 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento, CA
Ducati
Try "jockey shifting" it... (Manually upshift through the gears starting in first.)
My C is driven very aggressively, and will hold all of its gears till redline if I leave it in drive.
My C is driven very aggressively, and will hold all of its gears till redline if I leave it in drive.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
Try letting your engine warm up a bit (like it's wintertime) then go out and see if it gets stuck. Mine's temp related but I'm not sure why or what.
Does yours ever shift out of 3rd at all?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
Wish I knew what the problem was...
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: CH = Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
Now that you mentioned that, I think that was the cause of my problem too. I had to throw the spare on front driver's side when I got a flat, but the spare is the same size as the fronts, correct? Then when I got my new wheels on (no more spare on), that happened right when the heat wave hit, and my problem went away.
WEIRD.
WEIRD.
Life is Good with a C43
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
But the front axle?! Seriously?! This was the most frustrating troubleshooting I've ever had to do!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
If it were on the rear axle, I'd say maybe. Even then, maybe it'd affect the differential, not the transmission. Also, I was running stock wheels front/rear when I had my problem.
But the front axle?! Seriously?! This was the most frustrating troubleshooting I've ever had to do!
But the front axle?! Seriously?! This was the most frustrating troubleshooting I've ever had to do!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
The one thing I don't get is why don't we see issues when doing a burn out or power slide around a corner? The rear wheels are traveling MUCH faster than the fronts and I would expect to see a similar issue when this occurs
