Transmission Problem
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Transmission Problem
So on my way to my friends house I stopped at a stop sign and the car tightened up and when I pressed on the gas, the thing kicked then went into first. At my friends house, I made a 3 point turn, put the car in reverse, then when I put it in drive, the car made a grinding, clanking noise while I was going forward. When I stopped and put it in park, I smelled a burning smell, like rubber or a liquid burning. I put it in drive again to park it and it did the same clanking noise. At the same time the car was shaking/jerking from the inside. I then turned it off and nothing happens now. I'll be taking it in for service now so would like to know if you guys have any feedback on what it could be. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
At around 5-9 mph, the car jerks very lightly back and forth. And throughout first gear there is a clanking noise. Shifting from 1st to 2nd has a noticeable jerk now. And when stopping the car and the car shifts down to first, there is now this high pitched sound coming from the car and the car jerks a little.
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From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
Don't want to scare you, but this may apply to you. Do you know what radiator you have? Valeo - or Behr, (not all Valeos are bad). I bel. those with a build date prior to 9/03 have defective radiators. I know this is prominent in the C32, but I think also pertains to the W211. Do a search for glycol contamination. The glycol leaks into the tranny from a defective build in the radiator.
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Last time, which was back around Thanksgiving, I had them check for glycol at the dealer. They said they couldn't find anything or anything else with the transmission. Its an 04. Built in 02/04, warranty started on 04/30/04. Have CPO till 04/30/09
The car has about 46,700 mi on the clock. Just had service E performed.
Also, I never noticed this before, but it sounded like air was leaking from somewhere near the right intake (when facing the engine from the hood).
The car has about 46,700 mi on the clock. Just had service E performed.
Also, I never noticed this before, but it sounded like air was leaking from somewhere near the right intake (when facing the engine from the hood).
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Don't want to scare you, but this may apply to you. Do you know what radiator you have? Valeo - or Behr, (not all Valeos are bad). I bel. those with a build date prior to 9/03 have defective radiators. I know this is prominent in the C32, but I think also pertains to the W211. Do a search for glycol contamination. The glycol leaks into the tranny from a defective build in the radiator.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
From 2nd to 3rd shifting now: the car will jerk, the rpms fly from 2,500 to 3,000 all of a sudden, car jerks again, then shifts to 3rd.
At park or in 1st will going about 2-7 mph, I hear this sound I've never heard from the engine before. Sounds like gurgling or grinding.
At park or in 1st will going about 2-7 mph, I hear this sound I've never heard from the engine before. Sounds like gurgling or grinding.
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From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
From 2nd to 3rd shifting now: the car will jerk, the rpms fly from 2,500 to 3,000 all of a sudden, car jerks again, then shifts to 3rd.
At park or in 1st will going about 2-7 mph, I hear this sound I've never heard from the engine before. Sounds like gurgling or grinding.
At park or in 1st will going about 2-7 mph, I hear this sound I've never heard from the engine before. Sounds like gurgling or grinding.
Did you check the transmission fluid level at all?
You should stop driving the car until a definitive diagnosis is made.
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From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
That's exactly what happened to my E430. It required a new transmission at 24,000 miles. The problem continues to crop up in later model cars too often. Do a search, as recommended, and you will come up with all the info you need. It's a known problem that MB has never addressed through a redesign or a fix.
Any low transmission fluid warning light?
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
My 1999 E55 (W201) leaked transmission fluid from the fluid sensor hole. Same happened with my 2006 (W211) diesel E320 CDi. Both have the 5 speed automatic, the former a reinforced version. It is therefore possible that your 2004 E320 is low on transmission fluid too. Common things are common.
Any low transmission fluid warning light?
Any low transmission fluid warning light?
Ya, I'm gonna call and make the appointment tomorrow. I'm gonna raise H*ll because I told them back before Thanksgiving when I took it in that the transmission is acting up. I also said this back in February when I took it in to them.
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From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
So on my way to my friends house I stopped at a stop sign and the car tightened up and when I pressed on the gas, the thing kicked then went into first. At my friends house, I made a 3 point turn, put the car in reverse, then when I put it in drive, the car made a grinding, clanking noise while I was going forward. When I stopped and put it in park, I smelled a burning smell, like rubber or a liquid burning. I put it in drive again to park it and it did the same clanking noise. At the same time the car was shaking/jerking from the inside. I then turned it off and nothing happens now. I'll be taking it in for service now so would like to know if you guys have any feedback on what it could be. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.
Thread Starter
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
There are several posts about the earlier E's transmission problems, including what happened to 2003 E500 which was fixed under my CPO Extended Warranty. You may want to get the MB Service Bulletin about this issue........I can email it to you if you'll send me your email address.
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Took it in today. My service advisor and the technician that I drove with suspect it to be glycol contamination. He said it was more common on 03's but can also happen on 04s. Said it would need a whole new tranny 
, torque converter, coolant lines, new radiator, and a couple of other stuff. He said everything should be covered under the starmark warranty. Gonna take a couple of weeks.
If I ever said anything bad about the starmark warranty, I take it back. I wish I even got the extended warranty, not just the CPO
, torque converter, coolant lines, new radiator, and a couple of other stuff. He said everything should be covered under the starmark warranty. Gonna take a couple of weeks.If I ever said anything bad about the starmark warranty, I take it back. I wish I even got the extended warranty, not just the CPO
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Just got it back. Transmission, torque converter, radiator, and cooling lines all replaced under starmark warranty from my CPO. I was so scared. I'm just glad I was covered.
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W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
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CLS400 4Matic 2016 / ML 350 2009 / clk 320 w209 sold/ sl 500 1996 sold/ cls550 2008 sold
hope u dont have any problems no more man... let us know if the drivin is like before all the bad things dat happened. how much it would have cost u exactly if u didnt have the warranty??
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Happy with the work, car is driving very smooth. Been taking it really easy with her too.
He estimated the total cost to be around $12,000. Is that possible? It seems a little high but than again they changed the whole transmission also, so idk.
He estimated the total cost to be around $12,000
. Is that possible? It seems a little high but than again they changed the whole transmission also, so idk.
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2015 ML 350
A GM Factory rebuilt (& updated unit) tranny ran me about $3500 installed for a '96 Chevy Corsica about 4 years ago. Given the later years that have passed & extra stuff installed & higher labor rates, it seems within the realm... (Couldn't bring myself to say "Seems Reasonable")
It seems to me MBUSA would have been ahead to search out & recall all the cars built & Delivered with those crappy radiators & replace them proactively. Then the whole job would have only been about a radiator. I'm sure the radiators would have been supplied to MBUSA in a court settlement. What a shame, & its not even MBUSA's fault originally but its MB's reputation that suffers..
It seems to me MBUSA would have been ahead to search out & recall all the cars built & Delivered with those crappy radiators & replace them proactively. Then the whole job would have only been about a radiator. I'm sure the radiators would have been supplied to MBUSA in a court settlement. What a shame, & its not even MBUSA's fault originally but its MB's reputation that suffers..
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Jan 20, 2009 at 04:31 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
A GM Factory rebuilt (& updated unit) tranny ran me about $3500 installed for a '96 Chevy Corsica about 4 years ago. Given the later years that have passed & extra stuff installed & higher labor rates, it seems within the realm... (Couldn't bring myself to say "Seems Reasonable")
It seems to me MBUSA would have been ahead to search out & recall all the cars built & Delivered with those crappy radiators & replace them proactively. Then the whole job would have only been about a radiator. I'm sure the radiators would have been supplied to MBUSA in a court settlement. What a shame, & its not even MBUSA's fault originally but its MB's reputation that suffers..
It seems to me MBUSA would have been ahead to search out & recall all the cars built & Delivered with those crappy radiators & replace them proactively. Then the whole job would have only been about a radiator. I'm sure the radiators would have been supplied to MBUSA in a court settlement. What a shame, & its not even MBUSA's fault originally but its MB's reputation that suffers..
