Jerking and Launching when cold
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2004 E320
Jerking and Launching when cold
As the title explains, I have been dealing with this issue since I have received this car. I have done the following...
Changed tranny fluid
Change filter
Change gasket
Changed electrical connector thingy for trans
Check trans fluid level with that Mercedes metal stick thing
What I have noticed is that the car does not jerk or launch when changing gears, rather right when you take off... I have confirmed this by placing it in gear 1. I have also changed from S to C and it still does this when cold...rarely when warm.
Any ideas?
P.s. this is the most annoying thing about this car so if I can alleviate this situation, I will be forever grateful!
Changed tranny fluid
Change filter
Change gasket
Changed electrical connector thingy for trans
Check trans fluid level with that Mercedes metal stick thing
What I have noticed is that the car does not jerk or launch when changing gears, rather right when you take off... I have confirmed this by placing it in gear 1. I have also changed from S to C and it still does this when cold...rarely when warm.
Any ideas?
P.s. this is the most annoying thing about this car so if I can alleviate this situation, I will be forever grateful!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2004 E320
Thanks for the response, however, I do not suffer from this issue...
And does the torque converter work better once warmed? Cause the car works really well once the car warms up and running...shifts like butter!
I just don't want to throw tons of money at this car...I can do 90% of the work myself, but time is also an issue...
Anyone have a clue how much the diagnostics will cost?
And does the torque converter work better once warmed? Cause the car works really well once the car warms up and running...shifts like butter!
I just don't want to throw tons of money at this car...I can do 90% of the work myself, but time is also an issue...
Anyone have a clue how much the diagnostics will cost?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
'05 ford f150 xlt, '08 ford focus ses coupe, '08 bmw 335xi, '15 ford f150 fx4 ecoboost
i have a cold issue too. doesnt matter if in "c" or "s" from a stop i can ease on and off the throttle. i think it slips up to 1600rpm. at 1600 rpm theres a thud/jerk and then all is normal. like it just went into lock up. nothing again in any other gear, just from stops
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 156
Likes: 3
From: New York
2005 E320 CDI
I have a 2005 e-320 CDI that suffered from this cold lurching. I researched the forums, including England and Germany. A world of complaints, but not a lot of cures. I took the car to a good dealer. They told me to replace the tranny, the valve body and the torque converter. I replied, ok that's the official response, what's the practical response. The service manager then said, " Take it to a good auto trans shop, have them open up the valve body, if they see clogged screens with clutch material, have the valve body and the torque converter rebuilt. If the passages are clean, have the valve body rebuilt."
My problems were only when cold, say below 50f. No codes.
I took the service manager's advice. Valve body internal screens were gunked up. Both the valve body and torque converter now have the latest sonnax updated parts. There were other things attended to such as bushings. All in it was under $2k.
Some people have claimed that something as simple as changing the conductor plate have cured the problem. Take an iterative approach, maybe you'll get lucky.
Be sure to report back!
PS here's a good article on the subject:
http://www.sonnax.com/tech_resources...shudder-part-1
My problems were only when cold, say below 50f. No codes.
I took the service manager's advice. Valve body internal screens were gunked up. Both the valve body and torque converter now have the latest sonnax updated parts. There were other things attended to such as bushings. All in it was under $2k.
Some people have claimed that something as simple as changing the conductor plate have cured the problem. Take an iterative approach, maybe you'll get lucky.
Be sure to report back!
PS here's a good article on the subject:
http://www.sonnax.com/tech_resources...shudder-part-1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2004 E320
I have a 2005 e-320 CDI that suffered from this cold lurching. I researched the forums, including England and Germany. A world of complaints, but not a lot of cures. I took the car to a good dealer. They told me to replace the tranny, the valve body and the torque converter. I replied, ok that's the official response, what's the practical response. The service manager then said, " Take it to a good auto trans shop, have them open up the valve body, if they see clogged screens with clutch material, have the valve body and the torque converter rebuilt. If the passages are clean, have the valve body rebuilt."
My problems were only when cold, say below 50f. No codes.
I took the service manager's advice. Valve body internal screens were gunked up. Both the valve body and torque converter now have the latest sonnax updated parts. There were other things attended to such as bushings. All in it was under $2k.
Some people have claimed that something as simple as changing the conductor plate have cured the problem. Take an iterative approach, maybe you'll get lucky.
Be sure to report back!
PS here's a good article on the subject:
http://www.sonnax.com/tech_resources...shudder-part-1
My problems were only when cold, say below 50f. No codes.
I took the service manager's advice. Valve body internal screens were gunked up. Both the valve body and torque converter now have the latest sonnax updated parts. There were other things attended to such as bushings. All in it was under $2k.
Some people have claimed that something as simple as changing the conductor plate have cured the problem. Take an iterative approach, maybe you'll get lucky.
Be sure to report back!
PS here's a good article on the subject:
http://www.sonnax.com/tech_resources...shudder-part-1
Honestly, I just can't get myself to spend 2,000 on a car that is worth 6,000. Call me cheap, call me crazy, but I have a feeling I will be replacing this car in about 3-4 years anyways so I may just ride it out or warm up the car in the mornings...in the meantime, I may do the suspension parts being that the parts wont be more than $500.
Then again, the steering needs some TLC as well...ugh...maybe I should just sell it now and move on!
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 6
From: Chicago
SL55
I was having a similar issue with the 722.6 trans in my 2006 E320 CDI w/200k. Slight judder/oscillation under hard acceleration or climbing hills... RPMs had a slight fluctuation at cruising speeds...jerky 1-2 shifts when cold...with the occasional shudder coming to a stop. Purchased a new TCC/PWM solenoid on ebay for less than $30 and had it installed at a local transmission shop and now my transmission almost shifts like new.
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,290
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C320
I was having a similar issue with the 722.6 trans in my 2006 E320 CDI w/200k. Slight judder/oscillation under hard acceleration or climbing hills... RPMs had a slight fluctuation at cruising speeds...jerky 1-2 shifts when cold...with the occasional shudder coming to a stop. Purchased a new TCC/PWM solenoid on ebay for less than $30 and had it installed at a local transmission shop and now my transmission almost shifts like new.
Last edited by tjts1; Mar 1, 2019 at 10:14 AM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
2004 W211 E320 Sport
My 2004 E320 Sport with 115,000 miles has had this cold transmission jerking problem for at least 20,000 miles. I had the transmission flushed at 100,000, no change. It's fine once the temps are normal in the transmission.
I"m living with it, sadly.
I"m living with it, sadly.
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 156
Likes: 3
From: New York
2005 E320 CDI
-B
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Thanks for getting back to me!
Honestly, I just can't get myself to spend 2,000 on a car that is worth 6,000. Call me cheap, call me crazy, but I have a feeling I will be replacing this car in about 3-4 years anyways so I may just ride it out or warm up the car in the mornings...in the meantime, I may do the suspension parts being that the parts wont be more than $500.
Then again, the steering needs some TLC as well...ugh...maybe I should just sell it now and move on!
Honestly, I just can't get myself to spend 2,000 on a car that is worth 6,000. Call me cheap, call me crazy, but I have a feeling I will be replacing this car in about 3-4 years anyways so I may just ride it out or warm up the car in the mornings...in the meantime, I may do the suspension parts being that the parts wont be more than $500.
Then again, the steering needs some TLC as well...ugh...maybe I should just sell it now and move on!
I think you have the mechanical ability to do this. The Sonnax kit is not that expensive. You might also need more trans fluid. Then it is just having patience and getting after it. Have confidence, you can do it!
