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Transmission Hesitation

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Old Jul 12, 2010 | 03:16 PM
  #1  
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CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
Transmission Hesitation

I've been having an issue with the trans in my car. It's totally sporadic, and only happens when coming to a stop. I always drive my car in M mode.
Here's what happens...most of the time I will not downshift and I just let the transmission make the gear changes as I come to a stop. But, every once in a while, as I roll to a stop and then try to accelerate, the transmission seems to get confused and cannot find a gear. Almost like it's not sure if it should select first or second and it hesitates. I push on the throttle and there is nothing, then, all of a sudden, it grabs first gear and snaps to life....sometimes violently based on how much throttle I'm giving it. I know it's just a software issue, but the other day I pulled out into traffic and there was nothing and I almost got T boned. Needless to say, it's something that needs to be addressed by the dealer but I was just wondering if any of you other owners have experienced the same?

Perhaps this would be a good reason for AMG to give us the throttle blipping software !!!!
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Old Jul 12, 2010 | 05:00 PM
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Wow I'm sure that can be an uncomfortable feeling with traffic approaching. I have not experienced that but I'm sure your dealership can resolve the problem or at least I hope they can
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Old Jul 12, 2010 | 05:26 PM
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Thanks man....yeah, sitting waiting to get T boned is never fun....followed immediatly by a HUGE burnout/merge into traffic. Needless to say, everyone slowed down to get through the cloud of smoke

I'm gonna try to use this as leverage to get MB to flash the SpeedShift PLUS software onto my chassis and hopefully set a precedent for all other owners. Fingers crossed although I know it's not very likely.
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Old Jul 12, 2010 | 06:15 PM
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Luke, sorry about your transmission woes ............ but at least you handled the situation with style
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Old Jul 12, 2010 | 07:09 PM
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Good God LZH , no one needs that mate .

Have you had the car tuned ? I know of a car in the UK that was Re Mapped and the gearbox went " off " so to speak .

I hope you get it resolved and let us know if you get anywhere with the blipping
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 08:57 AM
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Sorry to hear that. I've not had that experience. I do agree that trans programming may be the single area where improvement is most desired. If there is an upgrade that MB can offer you, I'm sure many here will want it. AS
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by LZH
I've been having an issue with the trans in my car. It's totally sporadic, and only happens when coming to a stop. I always drive my car in M mode.
Here's what happens...most of the time I will not downshift and I just let the transmission make the gear changes as I come to a stop. But, every once in a while, as I roll to a stop and then try to accelerate, the transmission seems to get confused and cannot find a gear. Almost like it's not sure if it should select first or second and it hesitates. I push on the throttle and there is nothing, then, all of a sudden, it grabs first gear and snaps to life....sometimes violently based on how much throttle I'm giving it. I know it's just a software issue, but the other day I pulled out into traffic and there was nothing and I almost got T boned. Needless to say, it's something that needs to be addressed by the dealer but I was just wondering if any of you other owners have experienced the same?

Perhaps this would be a good reason for AMG to give us the throttle blipping software !!!!
Forgive my newbieness (I've just had the car for just a few days and currently away on business), but I thought M mode was totally manual with no automated downshifting as you roll to a stop? For example, if you are in 4th gear and come to a stop, you're still in 4th gear unless you manually paddle down to 1st. Is that not true?
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 04:57 PM
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CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
Originally Posted by mellowyellow
Forgive my newbieness (I've just had the car for just a few days and currently away on business), but I thought M mode was totally manual with no automated downshifting as you roll to a stop? For example, if you are in 4th gear and come to a stop, you're still in 4th gear unless you manually paddle down to 1st. Is that not true?

No, in M mode the transmission will shift down through the gears as you slow down, and below around 10mph it will select first gear.
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by LZH
No, in M mode the transmission will shift down through the gears as you slow down, and below around 10mph it will select first gear.
Why don't you just use S mode then? What's the point of M if you are not managing the downshifts?
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 07:28 PM
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CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
Originally Posted by AMG Dictator
Why don't you just use S mode then? What's the point of M if you are not managing the downshifts?
For a few reasons. First, S and C mode are very intrusive in that they adapt a great deal to your driving style, throttle angle, etc. I don't like having to use my right foot to downshift. Many times, I like to be in a lower gear and feather the throttle (Try that in S mode and it'll upshift on you as it sees part throttle.), as well as short shift while at full throttle - you CANNOT do that in S or C mode as the TCU sees wide open throttle and will hold the gear out to redline. Second, I like to be in the right gear, ALL THE TIME. I don't like the feeling of wondering if I mash the throttle, I have no idea what gear the transmission will select. Especially in traffic when I want to squirt through a gap...In S mode, it can likely grab second while I'm trying to turn the car to change lanes and we all know that even in second the Black Series will break the tires lose...combine that with steering angle and your getting sideways QUICK - not cool in traffic. And third...I don't mean to sound like a jerk...but I have much better control of the car when I make the decisions and not a computer. Lastly, M mode shifts faster and firmer than the other two.
As to managing the downshifts....you are correct, I'm not managing them becasue there's a glitch in a string of code somewhere. Me not being able to manage the shifts has nothing to do with my ability and everything to do with a computer problem.
I have a love hate relationship with the transmission in the Black Series. I love it becasue it lets you have SO much fun with the car and is a departure from all other AMG's. But I hate it becasue with a bit of software tweaking, they could have made it so much better and not given up any reliability.

Last edited by LZH; Jul 13, 2010 at 07:41 PM.
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 09:30 PM
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Thanks for the description LZH.. I assumed that the downshifting in M mode was your responsibility based on what I read (rather quickly) in the manual.

I can't wait to get more time with the car and play. Sounds like M mode is for me too. Let us know if you get them to try throttle blip to fix your issue - however I doubt you'll get your wish. The lift-off burble is excellent, but the blip would be AWESOME with the sweet exhaust note.
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 09:50 PM
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CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
Originally Posted by mellowyellow

I can't wait to get more time with the car and play. Sounds like M mode is for me too. Let us know if you get them to try throttle blip to fix your issue - however I doubt you'll get your wish. The lift-off burble is excellent, but the blip would be AWESOME with the sweet exhaust note.
Yeah, I doubt it too, but the shop foreman is my buddy and I think we may have something worked out....more on that if it happens and I'm working on another avenue/3rd party. Agreed, the blip would be so cool and really round out the car. Congrats on your BS....the more you drive it, the better it gets !!
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by LZH
Yeah, I doubt it too, but the shop foreman is my buddy and I think we may have something worked out....more on that if it happens and I'm working on another avenue/3rd party. Agreed, the blip would be so cool and really round out the car. Congrats on your BS....the more you drive it, the better it gets !!
Luke,
Sorry to hear about the transmission glitch. Has it been confirmed as a software issue with the transmission control unit or with the engine ecu? Interesting that when one of these glitches shows up in one car others seem to follow. Keep us advised.
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 11:28 AM
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I have actually had some pauses at random times as well...its pretty weird...mainly when im doing a 30 mph cruise and i need some gas so I apply a little and for a second nothing will happen...kinda odd...
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 11:42 AM
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I've never seen it in M mode but I've seen it in S when accelerating from a slow roll where either first or second would be appropriate. I brought it into the shop with this issue and they updated my software which seems to have reduced its occurrence. These days I just stay out of S mode - C for business and M for pleasure. I almost always downshift manually in M mode except for the 2-1 where I let the car decide maybe half the time, but I can see where this would happen if the car is on the verge of a 2-1 automatic downshift and you decide to give it some gas. If I'm in the situation where I expect to accelerate I'll manually shift into first before.

I'm interested to see how this turns out. SpeedShift Plus would be nice
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 06:51 PM
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I still use S mode more Than M, even on the track. It frustrates me when I can't get the lower gear that I want when I want it on the track. However, when I left it in S it picked up my driving style and gave me the gear I needed
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 06:54 PM
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Conversly, I think some time ago there was a defect on our paddles or at least the downshift paddle that needed to be replaced under warranty. I know it's still an automatic but it seems like my paddle doesn't work at all and I have to use my shift knob to downshift
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by jenk12m
Conversly, I think some time ago there was a defect on our paddles or at least the downshift paddle that needed to be replaced under warranty. I know it's still an automatic but it seems like my paddle doesn't work at all and I have to use my shift knob to downshift
If I am interpreting what you are saying correctly, I think you may find that the switch for the shift paddle has cracked. Look at the backside of the steering wheel where the switch mounts. If it doesn't seem to be securely mounted, I think you may have a cracked switch housing.

It's an easy fix. Only took a couple of minutes at the dealership, and it was free.

JDB
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 08:22 PM
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I'll have to check
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by JDB
....
It's an easy fix. Only took a couple of minutes at the dealership, and it was free.

JDB
Mine was the same, no problems since.
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 11:10 PM
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I have experienced what seems to be the same issue.Just as you are braking to a stop but still rolling, the light turns green, you step on the gas and the tranny hesitates like it is confused about selecting the right gear. When it does engage, it is way too harsh and feels as though it could be doing some damage. This has happened in my C63 and my GLK while driving in S mode. It's only happened a handful of times over several months but it is very apparent when it occurs. I assumed that it must be a software issue although I don't really know how different the programs are in the two vehicles.
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Old Jul 15, 2010 | 05:54 AM
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Originally Posted by hhughes1
I have experienced what seems to be the same issue.Just as you are braking to a stop but still rolling, the light turns green, you step on the gas and the tranny hesitates like it is confused about selecting the right gear. When it does engage, it is way too harsh and feels as though it could be doing some damage. This has happened in my C63 and my GLK while driving in S mode. It's only happened a handful of times over several months but it is very apparent when it occurs. I assumed that it must be a software issue although I don't really know how different the programs are in the two vehicles.
I get this same kind of thing in my c63 and SL, feels odd in these situations. You are slowing down to the lights and then punch as the lights change and its as if the gearbox has fallen asleep sometimes!

Last edited by Maverick1975; Jul 15, 2010 at 05:56 AM.
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Old Jul 20, 2010 | 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by LZH
I've been having an issue with the trans in my car. It's totally sporadic, and only happens when coming to a stop. I always drive my car in M mode.
Here's what happens...most of the time I will not downshift and I just let the transmission make the gear changes as I come to a stop. But, every once in a while, as I roll to a stop and then try to accelerate, the transmission seems to get confused and cannot find a gear. Almost like it's not sure if it should select first or second and it hesitates. I push on the throttle and there is nothing, then, all of a sudden, it grabs first gear and snaps to life....sometimes violently based on how much throttle I'm giving it. I know it's just a software issue, but the other day I pulled out into traffic and there was nothing and I almost got T boned. Needless to say, it's something that needs to be addressed by the dealer but I was just wondering if any of you other owners have experienced the same?

Perhaps this would be a good reason for AMG to give us the throttle blipping software !!!!
Luke, I wrote about this same thing a couple years ago on this board, it's just the nature of the beast I'm affraid. "Confused" is a good term, the car can't decide what it wants to do for a split second but in some situations that second seems like an eternity.
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Old Jul 20, 2010 | 12:44 PM
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Do you feel engine hesitation or is the engine revving and the trans just isn't engaging? If you are feeling engine hesitation you may want to check MAF values. They have effect on shift points etc Just a shot in the dark
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Old Jul 20, 2010 | 02:34 PM
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CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
Jim - I must have missed that thread, but thanks for the heads up. I will check it out...what did you dealer say? The problem I see is that it's very difficult to duplicate and the dealer will pobably say it's functioning normally.

Ahmed - When I roll to a stop and then stick my foot in it, there is nothing....no revs, nada the car just dies then all of a sudden, grabs a gear and if your foot is still at full throttle, thats what you get....and immediate and full throttle burnout. Pretty unnerving when your pulling out into traffic...I'll have them look at MAF values nonetheless - thx for the tip.
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