kevm14

I know this is common. It manifests as overly firm TCC engagement when cold, particularly the lockup in 1st and then shift to 2nd with immediate relock. Or letting off the throttle at parking lot speeds in 2nd, reapplying throttle and getting a violent relock. It's a very uncomfortable and disconcerting gyration of jerkiness. Of course, after 20-30 minutes of driving, this goes away. I also feel like it puts unnecessary strain on my new engine mounts, and eventually I plan to drive this car in cooler weather where this issue will probably be magnified because of delayed fluid warmup. FWIW, I don't feel it in gears 3-5 and I assume that's typical, as well. However, I have seen the trans lug the engine down to under 1000 rpm in 3rd at low speeds and this could also be a symptom - perhaps a partial lock is all it intended but because of the issue, it gets a full lock. I have had no stalling issues which I have also read about.

So far, I've had my 04 E55 for about a month. 131k on it now. Already done a laundry list of maintenance stuff and specific to the trans, I did fluid (twice), filter and the adapter plug O-rings. Didn't really improve the TCC issue when cold and with the research I've been doing, I guess I shouldn't have expected it to. I will note I have NOT performed the adaptation reset, yet.

There seem to be two major things that should grant relief.
1) TCC apply solenoid. I guess they just get....tired? Sticky? Who knows. This is pretty easy, simply requiring dropping the valve body but not even requiring removal of the conductor plate. Part: 240-270-17-00.
2) Upgraded (Sonnax) TCC damper valve sleeve kit.

I am going to try #1 first because it seems that some people have cured their issue with just the solenoid. $74.38 at FCP Euro. I found it cheaper on eBay but they ship fast and have the lifetime warranty...I would probably be advised to perform the adaptation reset at this point, since the new solenoid will (should) perform differently than the old one.

I also have a new conductor plate in box so my plan is to try the solenoid first. If that doesn't fix it, I'll order the Sonnax kit, and install my conductor plate at that time just because I'll have to remove it to split the VB.

The good news is the trans fluid should be really fresh at this point. It was quite dark when I did the initial (two) drains and refills.

Does anyone have anything to add, suggestions, comments?

E55Greasemonkey

It's all normal. The E55's did this when there were brand new. You're wasting time and money trying to "fix" it.

kevm14

I'm a little surprised to hear that though I found complaints in my service records at less than half the mileage that seemed to be this or something similar. There was no fix.

That said I don't think the severity is normal and I found plenty of reports of a new solenoid, and/or the valve sleeve kit, fixing the issue.

I'm still going to do it but it sounds like I shouldn't be too surprised if nothing changes...

For what it's worth I believe my car has shorter diff gears (like a 3.06 or 3.07 according to my calculations) and a Eurocharged tune, both of which could be contributing.

kevm14

Replaced the TCC solenoid - that went well actually. Pretty easy job. Got my solenoid and fluid from FCP Euro in one day (I am one state over) so that's cool.

As for the road test, I did not get to test it cold but I can say this: I still feel a difference in TCC lockup performance. It seems way smoother and properly integrated with the actual shifting, as they originally intended. I am actually feeling confident that I fixed the cold issue but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to confirm that. Even still, there are some notable differences in the way it drives and shifts. This is a PWM TCC clutch and it is intended to slip much of the time. Well, now it seems to be slipping the proper amount. This also helps drivability both because RPMs are a little higher (more torque) and because the NVH jerk has been smoothed out when applying throttle. I actually caught it hanging at 2000rpm once when I tipped in when rolling. This is because the TCC initially was slipping and then gently engaging. Again, this is as intended I am sure and feels way better. I did not reset the adaptations and I felt no need to - I am not sure the TCC control is closed loop (based on slip RPM for example) so I don't know if it learned anything bad that needs to be reset. It felt better immediately and frankly all the shifting feels better because of the TCC lockup behavior.

I'll report back on the next cold start. Hopefully it's fixed or significantly reduced!

But so far I'd recommend people give this a shot based on the symptoms I posted originally. Not a waste of time at all.

kevm14

That got it! Just tested it cold. It is probably 90-95% gone and what remains is a very faint and tolerable bump. Glad I did this.

I'd be shocked if other people wouldn't also benefit from this.

To recap, I simply installed a new TCC solenoid in the valve body. Didn't have to remove the conductor plate. Part number in original post. I did NOT reset trans adaptations so my results are 100% just the replacement of this solenoid.

kevm14

6 speed auto?

steffolini

Hello!
I have a 320cdi 4-matic with the 722.6 and are experiencing the same symptoms you did. I have not changed fluid and filter yet, and this car i very new to me so i do not know when i was last changed. Do you think i should order and just replace the tcc solenoid while i change the filter? Seems like the oil and filter does not have too much to do with the lockup quality?

cdk4219

If it does it when it’s cold and goes away when it’s hot, I would highly suggest the tcc solenoid and trans flush. The solenoid fixed my issue which was a harsh jerking part throttle cold into second gear at low speed. It got worse with time and went away as soon as the trans got slightly warm.

nd-photo.nl

I believe there was a whole thread for it: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...em-solved.html

Slow AMG

In case anyone anyone's still viewing this post, which I'm sure plenty have - I feel it is worth mentioning that it's PROBABLY worth replacing the TCC Damper Valve (Sonnax 68942-23K), overlap sleeves (Sonnax 68942-05K), and if you really are adamant then the Oversized TC Lockup Clutch Regulator Valve Kit (Sonnax 68942-10K).

I've done the TCC Lockup Solenoid, TCC Damper Valve, overlap sleeves, conductor plate and STILL have harsh TCC lockup at slow speeds. The only thing I haven't done yet is the TC Lockup Clutch Regulator Valve Kit since that requires the semi-pricey reaming tool - which I suspect MIGHT resolve my issue. 245k miles I'll suppose wears out everything within the valvebody (unsurprisingly).

Edit: This guy managed to solve his issue with TCU from Tj Merry too, which when I talk above my issues above, I'm talking about my E320 WITHOUT a TCU tune. My E55 doesn't have any of this goofiness, but also has a TCU tune - I suppose I'll do a TCU tune on the E320 prior to doing anything further.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...olution-2.html