$10,000 spent and still didn't fix...
#1
$10,000 spent and still didn't fix...
I have a 2007 S550 non 4 matic. The issue I have been having anytime I go through a car wash and the car gets wet it starts to shudder on take off. It feels like a loss of power and the car jerks back and forth than corrects itself. The weird thing is it only happens after something gets wet. So I have taken it to the Mercedes dealership and they are doing a great job with working with me trying to fix the issue. Even now recently covering all parts and labor to replace clutch packs in the transmission to solve this problem. $3500 they covered because they recommended the following without fixing it which I paid for.
Replaced radiator - leaking anyway so not really related
New Valve body
New Torque Converter
New pulsation dampner - problem no an issue related to this.
That being said after putting in a new torque converter and valve body didn't solve the issue they tore open the entire transmission and replaced clutch packs and went through it. Today I picked it up went to the car wash again and it started the regular jerking motion on startup.
Does anyone have any ideas on what it could be?
Replaced radiator - leaking anyway so not really related
New Valve body
New Torque Converter
New pulsation dampner - problem no an issue related to this.
That being said after putting in a new torque converter and valve body didn't solve the issue they tore open the entire transmission and replaced clutch packs and went through it. Today I picked it up went to the car wash again and it started the regular jerking motion on startup.
Does anyone have any ideas on what it could be?
#2
Lol. Tha tranny has nothing to do with it. Check the grommet for the harness that goes into the transmission. Also check your moonroof drain channels. They get clogged and water finds its way into places it has no business being at.
Get a a spray hose and spray water into different areas of the car until you find the spot that causes described behavior. Take it from there. I believe you will find that spraying on the moon roof or the gap between the hood and th windshield will result in the drivetrain shudder. If that doesn't do it spray the undercarriage...
Let us know.
Get a a spray hose and spray water into different areas of the car until you find the spot that causes described behavior. Take it from there. I believe you will find that spraying on the moon roof or the gap between the hood and th windshield will result in the drivetrain shudder. If that doesn't do it spray the undercarriage...
Let us know.
Last edited by alx; 08-19-2017 at 02:43 PM.
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alx (08-19-2017)
#7
Super Member
No-- These vehicles do not have a distributor. Open the hood immediately after going through a car wash and see if there is any obvious water there. look carefully at the various electrical connections. Remove the air cleaner cover to get better visibility. Most, if not all, of the items that were repaired never could have had anything to do with your problem. It appears the dealer that made the unnecessary repairs is completely unqualified. Take your vehicle to another dealer. Your vehicle most likely recorded a fault code which can assist a competent mechanic to determine determine the cause of the problem.
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#8
No fault codes are coming up. I didn't take it to a small mechanic this is a certified Mercedes dealership. They had their lead tech trying to figure this out. Anyone have any issues with a shudder that happens to be prevalent when exposed to water?
#9
First thing i would do is lift both front carpets and check for water inside the vehicle cabin. there are several can bus distribution blocks along side the door sills on the drivers and passenger side under the carpets.
If theres water there, that would cause an issue.
The transmission control module is part of the conductor plate which is attached to the valve body, so it would be very difficult for water to enter and affect that electrical component. The engine control module is on top of the engine, and again, very difficult for water to reach.
Seems to me its more a water/electrical issue than a transmission issue.
#10
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'71 Pinto
Ditto, check for water issue.
If they have not already done and VIN is below 033538, have dealer check VMI to see if service campaign 2006020007 (water leakage) was completed if not, repair is free see attached bulletin 83.10/108b.
Make sure air/water drain is clear, see attachment.
If above suggestions resolve matter contact MBUSA to assist in reimbursement for valve body, torque converter, and pulsation damper if Xentry diagnose did not warrant replacement.
If they have not already done and VIN is below 033538, have dealer check VMI to see if service campaign 2006020007 (water leakage) was completed if not, repair is free see attached bulletin 83.10/108b.
Make sure air/water drain is clear, see attachment.
If above suggestions resolve matter contact MBUSA to assist in reimbursement for valve body, torque converter, and pulsation damper if Xentry diagnose did not warrant replacement.
#13
This is your air pollution sensor. If outside air quality falls below certain thresholds it turns recirc on your hvac. This is not your problem. Your problem is that you don't listen to advice get a hose, spray a section of the car, go for a drive. Repeat until car shows behavior in question. That will be your starting point.
#14
Super Member
If you google "mercedes 2118300472" you will find several sites that show a picture of your part along with the device being called an air pollution sensor. Based on this description, it could definitely be a candidate for your problem. You might want to try wrapping plastic around it before entering the car wash to keep it dry and then remove the plastic immediately after to see if this is in fact the cause of your problem. I would examine the gasket around the hood to determine how the device is getting wet.
#15
I dropped the vehicle off today and showed the tech the pollutant sensor. They are going to start going thru all electrical components. Will keep everyone updated when I get my car back. Maybe this can save someone from going thru all the expensive parts I had to replace for nothing.
#16
Originally Posted by steveb9771
Based on this description, it could definitely be a candidate for your problem
#17
If you google "mercedes 2118300472" you will find several sites that show a picture of your part along with the device being called an air pollution sensor. Based on this description, it could definitely be a candidate for your problem. You might want to try wrapping plastic around it before entering the car wash to keep it dry and then remove the plastic immediately after to see if this is in fact the cause of your problem. I would examine the gasket around the hood to determine how the device is getting wet.
I'm still waiting to see what it looks like under the carpets.
#18
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2011 C63 AMG
Definitely a wiring issue.
Completely different animal but i had the same issue with a Crown vic a while back. During rain id get limp mode, random error codes etc etc. 3 shops couldnt figure it out and threw parts at it for weeks.
Ended up being 2 bad wires from a light front end impact that nicked the sheathing on the wires. 3 weeks to diagnose, $3.50 fix.
Completely different animal but i had the same issue with a Crown vic a while back. During rain id get limp mode, random error codes etc etc. 3 shops couldnt figure it out and threw parts at it for weeks.
Ended up being 2 bad wires from a light front end impact that nicked the sheathing on the wires. 3 weeks to diagnose, $3.50 fix.