SL/R231: My SL has the jitters
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2
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2001 BMW 740IL
My SL has the jitters
Hi everyone, I have a 2015 R231 SL400 with 44k miles. For the past couple of years it developed an annoying jitter just before it completely stops. I call it a jitter, but it could be described as a shake or pulse. But it's definitely there, but subtle. I've finally had enough of it and would like to know what's going on. I drive it exclusively in manual mode. The easiest way to describe it is: When coming to a stop, I normally down shift until I get into second gear. Just before the car comes to a complete stop, still in second gear, it starts to jitter or shake. The car is still not completely stopped but just creeping very, very, very slowly. I can walk faster than the car is moving. If I hold the brakes in this position and the car continues to move forward, it continues to jitter. While it is jittering, if I select first gear, the jittering stops. Another way to make it jitter is to select second gear while it is sitting completely stopped and then slightly ease up on the pressure applied to the brake pedal. When the pressure gets to the point where the car can move, the jittering starts. I've been told the problem is in the torque converter clutch. I've never heard of such a thing. The brakes are new with less than 1000 miles on the pads, discs and calipers. Has anyone heard of such a thing?
D Bowden
D Bowden
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,496
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Get your own Mercedes-specific scanner, such as iCarsoft MB V3.0, LAUNCH Creader Elite BENZ, or Foxwell NT510 Elite so that you can scan your car at any time. In the US, they are pretty inexpensive compared to what I've seen them sell for elsewhere. Still, you really need one. They are small enough to store in your car (such as the fuse compartment in the trunk). Sometimes a code may cause the car to run rough and clearing it will restore normal operation until you get a chance to check it out. Once you have the scanner, scan the car for any codes.
You may want to drive it in automatic mode, either E or S, and see if the same thing happens.
You may want to drive it in automatic mode, either E or S, and see if the same thing happens.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,496
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Until you scan and we know what might be wrong, it’s hard to recommend a fix. You may want to reach out to @BenzNinja for assistance. The website is www.benzninja.com.
