04 E320 Possible Transmission issue MB SA says "normal" please help

23798 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by amcink, Oct 27, 2010

rtrimyer

Discussion Starter · Nov 19, 2008

Purchased in June, 47K miles, certified from MB Dealer, wonderful car.

Generally, have occassionally notice when starting from a stop, such as stop sign to go accross lanes of traffic, a slight delay in shifting w/out stomping on the gas (which i avoid). Have occassionally noticed when taking foot off gas and then touching gas, b/w the speeds of 25 - 35 mph, sometimes there will be an ackward shift / bucking of the transmission gears that is somewhat suspect.

What is most concerning, is that since this is the first fall/winter i've owned the car and the temperature has been dropping below 40 degrees overnight, when i start the vehicle in the morning, if i do not let warm up for 10 minutes or more, when I go to drive forward, the vehicle will hessitate to shift out of first and the rpms go high and there is bucking in the shifting, both up and down as I leave my neighborhood. After a few minutes / miles of driving and the engine warms, it goes away.

My service advisor advises that it is normal for a "MB car w/ electronic transmission" and its hessitating to shift to try to get to the ideal temperature.

I have never owned a luxury vehicle before and somewhat skeptical.

Any thoughts/codes would be greatly appreciated. The vehicle has been seen 3 times since June for this issue.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

X72

· #2 · Nov 19, 2008 (Edited)

rtrimyer, the delayed shift out of first gear when cold is normal. I believe it has to do with warming up the catalytic converters as fast as possible so that they become effective. Just drive the car as soon as you start it and let it rev up to about 3 to 4k revs/min where it then shifts out of first.

The odd shifts at the intermediate speeds you mentioned and low speed bucking are not normal. My car behaves in the way you state. I complained about it before my warranty was up, and the dealer told me it was normal too. I let it go; but I hadn't discovered the treasure trove of info on this and other MB boards. Do a search on this board and other MB boards for the term bucking, the term jerking, and the terms valve body and you will see threads where people got a software update that solved the problem, or they got software plus a new valve body, or even a new transmission.

I learned to live with it. I am at 98k miles. It doesn't get any better over time.

addendum
I forgot to mention some people got the transmission control unit replaced that solved the problem

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denial512

· #3 · Nov 20, 2008

I'd say take it in and have it looked at. Shouldn't cost you anything.

Slipping transmissions, bad CV joints, fluids, etc... can all seem similar.

Get it taken care of before warrantee is up..

Check Codes

· #4 · Nov 20, 2008

Best advice I can give you is to have the fluid and filter changed.

MB marketed the thing as maintenance free, but if you want longer and trouble free life from it, service it.

Same transmission in newer models they now spec a fluid change.

Delay when cold is normal, but mine improved dramatically after I changed the fluid.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

rtrimyer

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 20, 2008

Actually, last time they had it, did the one time tranny service that the vehicle called for early.

No change, gotten worse b/c its gotten colder.

konigstiger

· #6 · Nov 21, 2008 (Edited)

rtrimyer said:
Actually, last time they had it, did the one time tranny service that the vehicle called for early. No change, gotten worse b/c its gotten colder.

As mentioned, delayed shifts early on during cold ambient weather is normal. Try driving in “C” - comfort mode (button directly left of shift on console). This allows the vehicle to start moving in second gear and will up-shift at lower rpm. If this does not significantly improve rough shifting, then bring the vehicle in and mention:

722.6 (5-speed) transmissions:
DTB P-B-27.20/78 AUG06 Vehicle jolt at constant speeds or during gentle acceleration when torque converter is applied. Dealer will check the torque converter in addition with verify there is no glycol present in the ATF per P-B-27.55/50g MAR08 (up to 9/03 production). In addition, request they check the ECU and update to latest version if need be.

722.9 (7-speed) transmissions:
P-B-27.60/61i AUG07. Dealer will check adaptation values, transmission HW/SW for updates, circlip, valve body, etc. In addition, request they check the ECU and update to latest version if need be.

Note as of MAY08, only ATF 4134 part #A0019896803-10 is to be installed for 7-speed transmissions providing enhanced shifting quality.

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Kajtek1

· #7 · Nov 21, 2008

One more vote for delayed shifting on cold engine being MB software program.
IMHO they overdid it. One summer at the lake I launched the boat using ML on low range gear. The following morning when I started driving the car on campground curvy roads -each time I let the gas pedal go the tires would skid on dry asphalt. Took me good moment to realize that I am still on low range and braking power on 1-st can be bigger than car traction.

rtrimyer

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 23, 2008

99.9% of time I use C / Comfort mode.

MB Dealer has looked at at least 3 times, nothing found.

Earlier this week when I had a glass of water in the cup holder in the cold morning, as I'm trying to leave my parking spot, the transmission shifts / bucks / jerks hard as i've described above, spilling water all over the passernger seat.

I certainly cannot believe this jerking is normal, even if it is 30 degrees outside.

01rollas

· #9 · Nov 23, 2008

well mine just got out of the shop for this and some how it got worse than getting better, they replaced the hydraulic valve shifter or something like that (i got the service record in the car right now). but otherwise its going back for the odd shifts and hard shifting in "comfort" mode. besides the front right airmatic faliure the car has been very good. BTW where are you located?

konigstiger

· #10 · Nov 23, 2008

rtrimyer said:
Earlier this week when I had a glass of water in the cup holder in the cold morning, as I'm trying to leave my parking spot, the transmission shifts / bucks / jerks hard as i've described above, spilling water all over the passernger seat. I certainly cannot believe this jerking is normal, even if it is 30 degrees outside.

Take the vehicle in, ask to speak to the Service Manager, request a ride along with the shop foreman and present a copy of previously mentioned DTB P-B-27.20/78 AUG06. PM your email address and I will forward a copy. If unable to duplicate have them hold the vehicle overnight and check for the malfunction first thing in the morning when all is cold.

You may be experiencing hesitation “as if” caused by two-footed driver (as if driver is depressing the accelerator and brake pedal at the same time). If in fact this is the cause, the engine control unit (ECU) software will need to be updated to latest version. Specifically request this.

01rollas

· #11 · Nov 24, 2008

as mentioned above my ECU was also replaced and updated for the same problem that konigtiger mentions.

rtrimyer

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 28, 2008

Located outside of Raleigh, NC (USA)

Took car in Tuesday evening, left overnight, drove back at 7:30 am for ride along in 30 degree weather. Let SA drive, immediately started bucking.

Gave him approx 25 pages of forums highlighted with cover sheet of the following possible solutions i've assembled from searches on here:

DTB : P-B-27.20/78
DTB P-B-27.55/50g
DTB: P-B-27.55/50f
DTB P-B-27.00/87b
DTB P-B-27.60/61d
DTB P-B-13.22/01b
Valve Body Replaced and new oil pan
Valve Gear
Gasket
Vacuum Modulator Valve
Faulty Valeo radiators
Leaky O ring allowing tran fluid onto cable harness and TCU unit
Vacuum leak
Defective solenoid
input / Output speed sensors located on plastic plate w/ Valve Body
Flashed Transmission software
Updated CDI control module software
TCU software install and Engine Control United Software install

They tested again, determined that it was the valve body and replaced. Will give update once tested at cold start.

Thanks all for help thus far.

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rtrimyer

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 3, 2008

Update: driven the last few days, although the temperatute hasn't been below freezing, its been in the high 30s low 40s and have not experienced any issues. I'm hopeful everything was resolved.

Kajtek1

· #14 · Dec 3, 2008

Good.
Isn't that one more prove that this forum is way smarter than average SA?

adelphi81

· #15 · Oct 26, 2010

DTB P-B-27.20/78 AUG06 & P-B-27.55/50g MAR08

Please forward me a copy. I am experiencing these jerking issues.

[email protected]

konigstiger said:
Take the vehicle in, ask to speak to the Service Manager, request a ride along with the shop foreman and present a copy of previously mentioned DTB P-B-27.20/78 AUG06. PM your email address and I will forward a copy. If unable to duplicate have them hold the vehicle overnight and check for the malfunction first thing in the morning when all is cold.

You may be experiencing hesitation “as if” caused by two-footed driver (as if driver is depressing the accelerator and brake pedal at the same time). If in fact this is the cause, the engine control unit (ECU) software will need to be updated to latest version. Specifically request this.

amcink

· #16 · Oct 27, 2010

I'm considering to buy a 2003 E320 with 86K miles
Would you pelase email me a copy to [email protected] of the DTB P-B-27.20/78 AUG06 & P-B-27.55/50g MAR08 since I might take it to the dealer before I considering buying it (or ask the PO if these were already address)
Thanks

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