Britrover

My 2001 E430 has a new bug that is driving me insane. The car shudders and is jerky when I speed up from 1st to 2nd. When slowing down, I can feel the transmission downshift in a jerky way from 3rd gear to 2nd.

The transmission fluid has already been changed as the car was approaching 90K miles. When I took for the car for the transmission fluid change my mechanic also noticed another issue that he showed me in person – I got to his shop and he has the car on the lift and explains I had a leak around the harness which has ruined two parts and the car requires two new parts plus the new AT fluid. They end up changing AT Conductor plate , a spacer plus the Transmission fluid.

However the car still shudders and downshifts in a jerky way from 3rd gear to 2nd. Has anyone else experienced this issue and has a fix? I will take the car back to the mechanic but wanted to find out if anyone has had a similar issue.

Max Hughes

Reset the transmission computer and see if that works. Theres a DIY on how to do it on benzworld.org I think.

Britrover

Thanks - I tried the Transmission computer reset procedure and the issue persists.

TMAllison

Check the opposite end of that wiring harness and see if the fluid has wicked up to the ECU.

Ausmbtech

Sounds like the rear freewheel unit (F2) in the transmission is on it's way out. Expect a overhaul soon, preferably before it fails completely