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  #1  
Old 07-01-2006, 04:55 PM
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2004 C240 4Matic Wagon - Bad Abrupt Upshift/Vibration - Lockup TC??

We just started experiencing what feels like a problem with the lockup torque converter on our '04 C240. In upshifting into 2, 3 and 4th gear there is an abrupt, harsh jolt and sometimes when decelerating it vibrates like the TC is not disengaging....are there known problems with this model that I can steer the service advisor to (it's under warranty) or should I just let them find it on their own?

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2013 C300 4Matic
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2013 Lincoln MKz
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  #2  
Old 07-02-2006, 02:37 PM
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A torque converter if defective will chatter only when engaging or disengaging, you will not feel a chatter/vibration when it’s fully locked up. What you are feeling could be an engine miss fire. If the car is under warrantee , ask for a master inquires for any open campaign letters or recalls. Also ask for any technical bulletins on software up grades.

There was a bulletin on glycol contamination for the 203 chassis, ask if this applies to your car.
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  #3  
Old 07-10-2006, 12:13 PM
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I am bumping this to update...the dealer took the car under warranty and did two things:

1) Topped up the ATF.

2) Reset shift adaptation per bulletin.

It's back to silky smooth again. Don't know why it happened, but it was a really jarring ride while it was doing it.
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  #4  
Old 07-10-2006, 01:11 PM
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Glad to hear the car is running smooth again.
As stated by C32AMG, there is a common problem with glycol contamination on those vehicles. I would keep a close eye on the trans. symptoms. The bulletin they performed worked but it generally applies to vehicle with 6k miles or less. At 26K you trans. should be adapted properly already.
I would look inside your door sill and check the production date. If it is 09/2003 or earlier, I would ask for the glycol test to be done. Could save you lots of $$$.
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Old 07-10-2006, 07:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Melcher
Glad to hear the car is running smooth again.
As stated by C32AMG, there is a common problem with glycol contamination on those vehicles. I would keep a close eye on the trans. symptoms. The bulletin they performed worked but it generally applies to vehicle with 6k miles or less. At 26K you trans. should be adapted properly already.
I would look inside your door sill and check the production date. If it is 09/2003 or earlier, I would ask for the glycol test to be done. Could save you lots of $$$.
Thanks for the tip...mine was made in 10/03 so it looks like I just got one of the post-glycol models...anyway, the car is leased and the lease expires the same day the warranty does, so it won't cost me a dime to deal with it if it does fail.

I've come to the conclusion that I never want to own any new MB, I just lease them and when the lease is up I return them. Sadly, '04 was the last year with fully paid maintenance so next time I will probably change brands...BMW still pays for all maintenance so I will likely go that route.

Still, I won't give up on my older MBs...it's just the new ones I don't trust.
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Last edited by nhdoc; 07-10-2006 at 07:30 PM.
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  #6  
Old 07-10-2006, 07:26 PM
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I think Audi pays for maintenance as well, not a bad deal. Last I heard they even pay for brake pads and clutches!
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  #7  
Old 10-23-2006, 08:07 AM
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I'm reviving this thread because 3 months later and this same problem has come back and the car goes back to the dealer tomorrow for the A service as well as repairing the tranny AGAIN...I guess I will suggest they test for Glycol contamination this time
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  #8  
Old 10-23-2006, 12:37 PM
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I don't think you have a problem with glycol contamination for three reasons. First, every car I've seen with this problem (203's, 209's, and 211's) have been produced prior to 10/03. Second, if there was anti-freeze in the transmission, the shift quality issue would have returned shortly after the dealer performed the re-adaptation. Third, you'd probably have gotten a low coolant warning as well, after several months of driving in this condition.

They'll probably replace the transmission control module with an updated version, and there's a slight chance they'll find some ATF contamination while they're in there. Either way, it's no big deal. You should have the car back in a day or two. Let us know what happens.
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  #9  
Old 10-25-2006, 04:53 PM
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So of course the idiots at my MB dealership just reset the shift adaptation again and by the time we got home it was back to being abrupt and shuddering. Before I left I told them if that's all they did again then I was sure I'd be back. The SA tried to blame it on everything from the ethanol in the gas to the temperature outside and finally said resetting the shift adaptation was part of "regular maintenance" on these...what BS!

I really hate the SA's at our dealership. Not one knows anything about cars, they just know how to "spread around the horse manure".

Well, on the bright side at least this time it didn't take 3 months to recurr. It goes back again tomorrow with the understanding that this time they have to try and actually find the problem.
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Last edited by nhdoc; 10-25-2006 at 05:24 PM.
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  #10  
Old 11-09-2006, 07:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ILUVMILS View Post
...They'll probably replace the transmission control module with an updated version...
Well, yesterday that's just what they did...haven't picked the car up yet, but hoping third time's the charm!
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  #11  
Old 11-10-2006, 08:35 PM
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One day back from the dealership and now the car now has developed a problem with an irregular and very slow idle that shakes the entire car when stopped in gear (like at a red light) and tonight it was so slow it made the "alternator warning" come on while it was having its fits...I guess it will be going back for the 4th time next week

What a Piece of CRAP!

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