sambam2006

Hi Guys,

I finally purchased a CLS 500 (Late 2005 Plate). All was good when I test drove it the day I purchased the vehicle, however when I took it out the next day to get some 'Monster Energy Drink', the car jerks when it changes 2nd to 3rd gear, the rest of the gears change fine its just these gears, even when I'm at a junction I flaw it to but it gives that jerk when it changes gears and becomes a bit dangerous.

The car has no error or warning lights on the cluster, no squeaks or rattles just this gear issue that's getting to me.

I can't see the garage until tomorrow so I thought i'd post here and see what you guys think what the problem could be?

What I think it could but i'm not sure: transmission oil, transmission firmware flash?

Would appreciate the help guys

rbrtclk

How many miles are on your car? With the CLS, the transmission fluid should be changed every 40,000 miles. If this is not done , you get the problems I think you have. A fluid change costs about $300. You probably should have a dealer diagnose it before you pay the money

sambam2006

My car has 74000 Miles, I hope it's just the transmission fluid and nothing else as I just bought the car and will be travelling next weekend so trying to get it all sorted before then, fingers crossed. Yep going to the dealer tomorrow (Land rover garage, where I purchased the car). Will see what they say

Thanks

titanium681

I bought an 06 that had the same problem. Unfortunately, I can't be of much help with the issue because after reading many posts about the 06 being the first production year for the CLS, and the number issues that had to be resolved, I took it back and bought 07. The 06 was better equiped with an AMG front end, seats that wrapped around you with push of a button, quad exhaust. But the peace of mind that I got in return was well worth it.

sambam2006

Ah nice you got lucky lol. I took my car to the 'Land Rover' dealer I purchased it from and they kept my car for the day, they did an ecu reset and changed the transmission fluid however that did not rectify the issue so they booked me in to go Mercedes main dealer to get a software update, they said it could take anywhere up to an hour to four hours, just hope it fixes the issue i'm having.

I'm just wondering how did the previous owners miss the jerking when gears shift

tasho3

I kniw this is not what you want to hear, but....... Maybe the previous owner got rid of because of the trans. Or something that occurred while the car set around at the dealership.

jasonm654

OP did updating the software ever fix this? Mine actually shifts a little hard from 2nd to 3rd as well, but it seems to get better as the engine warms up.

sambam2006

Yeah I was thinking the same, only time will tell I guess, waiting for them to do the software update on transmission this Monday.

I'm going to Mercedes on Monday for the software update, just hope the update fixes the jerking issues. Mine shifts fine when engine is cold, when it warms up you can feel the gear changes. Yours mostly likely will require an update as well.

My dad has the same car his gear changes are smooth and his cls 500 is much more responsive than mine when it comes to acceleration.

M1RAG3

I had the same problem on the 2-3 shift that you have; the issue was the transmission valve body. MB tried multiple things (fluid change, software update) before replacing the valve body, which solved the problem. I ran into the problem around 70k kms.

sambam2006

I was hoping it wasn't the valve body as I heard it's quite expensive to replace , guess I won't know until tomorrow, was the replacement of valve body expensive? And how long did the repair take? Thanks

sambam2006

Update:

I went to Mercedes today early this morning, the wait was a nightmare! Communication error between the dealers, eventually I got the car checked (Diagnostics were run) but no error or fault codes were found and they said my car is fine (they didn't test drive it). After that they did the transmission service (Fluid and filter change) and after all that the problem is still there, nothing improved, same jerking between gears. They also told me that my CLS didn't need a software update either.

If the valve body is faulty does it show any errors or faults when mercedes connect their diagnostic equipment to the car?

Just to reiterate my gears change fine, they do not get stuck but just jerk (harsh) to the next gear.

I think they are going to book me in again after new years ahhh just want this sorted out

M1RAG3

I also went to an MB dealer and they confirmed that there were no error codes associated with the valve body problem.

The replacement of the valve body at an MB dealership took 2 days; 1 to get the parts and 1 to do the work.

MB also told me "there is nothing wrong with my car" and that they could not find any errors at all.

nauticalx

thats the problem with a lot of mb dealers, they place too much faith in the vehicle being able to diagnose itself. while its loaded with sensors, there isnt one for everything. some things like the valve body can be functioning but acting up and its just functioning in a way that it's design has allowed it to function without setting off any alarms...even if this function isnt what is ideal or smooth. until they tell you there is a sensor that would throw a code if the valve body is acting up and not working smoothly, you'd best be served by actually taking it to a service department that knows how to look beyond the confines of 'error codes.' good luck.

sambam2006

Ah ok how did they managed to diagnose that it was the valve body? I'm leaving my car tomorrow at my local Mercedes Specialist who will diagnose the car, hope he pin points the problem as the gear shifting is becoming a pain especially when I cold start the car. Thanks for the reply

Spot on, the staff at the Mercedes Garage I went to were useless and didn't diagnose the problem properly I hope my local specialist will look into it as they have repaired my previous car.