Transmission has started the following behavior:

When rounding a corner at an intersection, foot off the gas hovering over the brake pedal while rounding, as the trans downshifts from 3 to 2, car accelerates or lurches forward momentarily, causing me to step on brake pedal to reassure myself that we ain't going for a ride.

2007 E550 56k miles. Trans always driven in C mode. Never did this before, been about a month or so.

Anyone have similar?

 

I've got a 2007 E350 4matic and it was doing a similar thing. Not necessarily at cornering but when slowing down where it would be downshifting.

I had the transmission and transfer case fluids replaced a week ago and it stopped doing that so maybe look into the service records and see if those have ever been changed. They should be changed at 39,000 miles and then again every 40,000 miles.

I drive in C mode 95% of the time too and changing the fluids seemed to fix the issue but just yesterday, driving home from work it stayed in second gear until about 3700-3900 RPM (originally though it was almost 5000 RPM) before shifting hard to 3rd so I don't know what that's all about.

I came across this thread from 2010 : https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...stuck-3rd.html

I'll see how it drives for the next couple of days and go with some of the suggestions from that thread to check for faults, speed sensor fault, valve body (? which seems to be expensive, is this the same thing as the transmission control unit?), or faulty gear/shift selector switch.

Doesn't seem like it's a mechanical issue with the transmission itself but I don't know enough to say.

 

I have similar problems, and couldn't think of why at first, but eventually noticed that the transmission fluid was low, from leaking through a plug on the tranny. Replaced the plug, and while the pan is off, we replaced the gasket and tranny filter. Then added 6 qts of ATF and voila! No more shaking problems when downshifting to a stop.

Hope that helped

 

Scheduled a dealer service appointment for next Wednesday. Will let you know what happened. Thanks!

 

Any news on your trans issue?
Thanks.

 

Yeah, I was gonna ask the same thing.

 

Are you using MB of Fort Lauderdale?

I had my car in for tranny service there a few weeks ago: The estimate for fluid and filter was $399.00. I asked the Service Adviser why so much much and he explained that the tranny took 9 quarts of fluid and it was expensive drops.
After the fact the bill came to $474.00 including taxes and environmental fees and that this that and the other. The invoice also listed 5 quarts instead of 9. Turns out the 9 quarts include the torque converter, the 5 quart job does not....
As the SA went on vacation the next day I was unable to ask about the 9 quart job I paid for versus the 5 quart job I got, but will go back and ask when he has returned.

Just a heads up, although you have a 7 speed tranny versus my 5 speed, there could be a difference in price/procedure, etc.

 

Actually yeah... I stopped in on Saturday (Service 7 days /week) & they said the downshift problem was from 4-3, not 3-4 like I told them... (I forgot that I drive the car in C as a 6 speed not S as a 7 speed, so when I counted downshifts to stop, I mis-counted). They said it needs Bands.

I guess if the tranny was being worked on anywhere else but MB, they'd rebuild the whole thing... I assume MB will replace only the Band. Is the tranny repair warranteed? or is the tranny only warranted as long as the car remains on its extended MBUSA warranty. (Feb 28 2013)


As for the no A/C problem, the dash has to come apart to repair the leaking evaporator (if thats its name... but I know what they mean, & where it is). I hope they put back all the parts.

Work being done at MB Ft Laud, because its extended warranty work & almost all the MB dealers here are Autonation owned, so it doesn't matter which one you use.... only 2 other dealers down in SoFla family owned & they're too far.

My SA is a good one for me. He is a former MB Mechanic & knows I know my car really well so he believes me when I tell him something's wrong. (I also tell him where to look) He will push the guys to really look at my complaint & find it.

All in all, its too young a car to need transmission work... I'm dissapointed since I'm 62 & don't drive like a 21 year old at all. This car at this price should not need expensive repairs like this at 5 years old.

The marker lights are probably just burnt out bulbs & the "Summer Opening" feature ony working when the car is in the garage or service tunnel, never outside, is probably a bad IR receiver in the door handle.

So GLAD the car is under ext warranty, or I'd probably be out looking for another car right now.

BTW... the 2013 C Class loaner is light years further ripened than my 2007, electronically speaking. Beautifull graphics on the DIC, Nice but unintuitive menu selectors on wheel and DIC, and on Radio. Nice ride, nice interior... but no E class... but it costs less too. A really nice job done on the car. What the hell took so long?

 

Marker light failures covered under a campaign that replaces the bulb sockets and bulbs. (Sort of like a socket "pigtail")

Summer opening failure solved by replacing IR receiver (red window in door handle) N/C MBUSA Extended Warranty

Transmission smooth as silk up and down. I was really concerned about creating a "Franken-Trans" with more bugs than an anthill, but all is well.

Guestimated cost for all if no Warranty ~ $7500.00 Whew.

Told him if it wasn't covered I'd have sold the car to them & gone "across the street".

Maybe gonna look into EasyCare warranty because the car has been SO GOOD.

 

Curious, does invoice document campaign #?

 

Curiously no. Maybe SA misspoke... it does mention "Marker Lamp Repair Kit " for each side. Plus Bulbs Lamps & Socket.

...all covered under MBUSA ELW?

 

Got stuck today had to be flatbedded back to dealer. I'll bet the gear selector linkages to the transmission fell off. No forward or reverse gears. I can push the vehicle even though stick says its in Park. No cranking.

Repaired A/C not cooling sufficiently.

GRRRR

 

Hi Barry !! Any update on the tranny ?

 

At 125,000 my tranny made a clank at very low speed leaving parking last week. Perhaps it is flex disc as I will check it when rear brakes are done. But I expect tranny to fail at any time. No reason to believe it will run 200000 miles without failure.

 

Yup. After being towed in they started Monday & gave it back to me Tuesday noon. As I suspected, the linkages from the selector to the trans from the stick fell off & left the trans thinking it was "almost in R"... that's why it wouldnt crank.

RO of course only mentions that a couple of locking clips were installed at N/C.

...I would have preferred they put thise clips on (properly if at all) before they gave it back to me the 1st time... (Its still 92 degrees this time of year down here in the afternoon waiting in an "industrial" area for Tow.)... and they really should have made a mention on the RO that it was a "come-back" for not so good work, but I understand why they wouldn't, and instead only mentioned locking clips were installed at "no charge.

Usually the service here is good, but then again I've not had any service other than maintenance & SDARS units replaced over the years. This year I had the transmission dropped & partially rebuilt, the A/C condenser replaced evaced & recharged, a front strut & another A/C repair, an orefice tube A/C Evac & Recharge.

I figure this year I'd have been charged $12,000 for all of this if not for the warranty. If it were all together, I'd have had them write me a check & I'd have signed the title over to them instead... all this from a car that has otherwise been the most enjoyed, best car I have ever owned... Its got me wondering whaat to do.

I do have since new my GEICO Mechanical Breakdown Insurance which covers mechanical failures on the car with a $250 deductible which will cover me for 1 more year after the ELW runs out... so I'm sort of OK.

 

Wow, that was some experience Barry. But still a far cry from your '04.

At the other end of the spectrum, my '04 has only been in for inspections, since I saw you last.
Go figure.

Hope you're still enjoying FL !!

 

Please read my horror story in the making. This letter was address to one of the Service Advisors at Mercedes Benz of Plano. Plano, TX

Hello Nathan,

Thank you for your response. After further research, I am puzzled and almost speechless. This information you provided is self explanatory but after further research I cannot understand why you all chose the deceptive path instead of educating and informing me of this known problem with the the information provided to you initially.

It is a known fact the the description, (car would not shift to 2nd and the car jumped when I attempted to gear) I provided to Deana on August 30th and again on August 31st would have been enough for you to start troubleshooting or at least informing me that it could possibly be a transmission issue. Instead I was misled to believe that it was a battery and starter issue when Deana was informed on August 30th and 31st that the battery was taken out of the car and tested at Autozone. Nathan was also later informed and was appalled that I would believe Autozone was equip to test a Mercedes battery.

On September 6th Deana called to inform me that my car was being reviewed and could not pinpoint the issue. She also stated that the the diagnostic machines in your shop did not determine the issue. On September 7th, I received a call from Deana stating that I need a battery and starter replaced. She received verbal authorization to fix the issue and stated that my car would be ready Saturday morning. On Saturday, September 8th at approximately 10:15 a.m. Deana contacted, my family member who is also one of her clients, stating that after replacing the starter and battery the engine remained lock and would not turn so it could possibly be an engine issue. Deanna stated to fully diagnose the issue the engine and transmission need to be removed. I left Deana a message asking if any computer test were conducted. She left a message that I saved for my records informing me that she allowed the technician to listen to my message and according to the technician, an initial short test was conducted and the only way you can check to see why the the engine is locked up was to put the big wrench on the crank and try to turn it, and there is not really a short test diagnostic to diagnose this issue. She also informed me that she had never experienced this problem before.

After you removed the engine and transmission, on Tuesday September 11th, I received a call from Deana stating that the transmission and, flap and torque converter need to be replace totaling over $7600 in repair which includes the battery and starter. I later learned that the parts in question to be repaired did not require removing the engine or the transmission for that matter. Yes, I chose not to approve the repairs since I was given several scenarios as to what caused my car not to operate. I even went to the extent of lodging a complaint with MBUSA against Park Place when I was told by Deana that it could possibly be an engine issue. All service work was conducted at Park Place including my inquiry on the the check engine light a few months prior to this incident and I was informed by Park Place service call center that it was not an issue but if I want to blow $99.00 instead of filling my car up with gas and driving for 750 miles to resolve the issue.

I must say that the customer service I received from MBUSA with Eric was just as horrible as the services I received with MB Plano. I called a couple of reputable independent MB shops and they too were appalled by your diagnostic fee and approach to remove two major car components and install parts that did not resolve the issue.

I also had reputable transmission shop run test on my car and the code from the engine stating there was no communication from the transmission. He automatically knew that it was the computer for the transmission which is called the "Valve Body". He told me that this is a known issue and Mercedes is aware of this issue. He also stated due to the current litigation between the company who manufactured the Valve body for Mercedes, the parts were not available to outside vendors. He also added that Mercedes would be the only shop who could provide the parts, reset the transmission computer and their company or and no other company other than Mercedes would not be able to repair my car.

On Friday, I contacted Nate informing him of what I discovered and he neither confirm or deny what I discovered. He offered to assist me with repairing my car adding that the amount already paid would be deducted from the total cost.

I received the quote from Nathan, I also call the GM to receive some answers but was told that I would receive a call from Todd Dills. At this point, I do not trust or believe any of you. It is obvious that you all were attempting to make money with no intent of informing me of this known issues. It is also obvious that Deana who claimed she never saw anything like my issue had one goal in mind and that was to cash in with the help of management, and the technician.

I discovered online googling "Mercedes Valve body transmission" was a slew of information dating back.

The misleading and deceptive practice you chose to use with me is thoroughly documented with MBUSA customer complaints, roadside assistance, and both dealerships. If there is a way to wipe out or destroy documented evidence, luckily for me I have saved voicemail messages, invoices, and outsiders who can confirm my claim.

I suggest that you all come together including GM Mr. Patterson, and fixed this mess you created. As I stated, I do not have the time, or money to giveaway.

At this point I say I am out of $1,000 and counting and prepared to protect my rights as a consumer.

Of course MBUSA and MB Plano are not accepting responsibility...btw I'm new to posting but always use this site for information....how do I initiate a post?