2005 E320 CDI Transmission Issues 250,000KM
 

Members,

For the last 30,000 km's, I've had the check engine light on and the car jerks when shifting from a dead stop through the first gear, 90% of the time.

The dealer tells me the valve body (transmission) needs replacing because the error code reports the torque converter clutch solenoid "draws too much current". Clearing the error, it returns almost immediately upon acceleration from stop.

From a dead start, the car seems to "hang" on to the first gear (in either W or S) and "jerks" into second. Smooth the rest of the way up.

I've had the torque converter replaced twice and replaced the TCM twice & re-flashed the firmware repeatedly, to no avail.

I've been quoted $3300 to get the valve body replaced and considering I've invested almost $3000k already, I'd like to understand more about this issue and determine we've exhausted all other means of repair.

Any idea's? Larry

Have you got the problem figured out yet? Why can't the dealer just replacement the PWM solenoid?

Thanks for looking; Several times the dealer has told me the valve body needed to be replaced. Are you saying that the PWM solenoid is a discrete part that can be replaced? I did not have drawings or schematics, so I can't tell for myself.

Where would it be located?

Cheers!

LBT

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y3/6y6 is the valve in question.

Thank you. I was beginning to worry that I needed to be "drilling holes" :)

Cheers!

Did you ever fix this? I'm having the same exact problem.

2005 E320 CDI Transmission Issues 250,000KM
 

Matthew,,

Nope - Dealer and MB HQ in London denied ever having an "issue" and the car was our of warranty, so I was on my own to pay more than $3500 to replace the valve body, which I declined to do.

I've been driving this now, with this annoying "first gear thump" for 100,000 KM now and it's just annoying. I decided to NOT fix the issue, as the car is rusting (yes, a 2005!) and MB won't acknowledge that either and I'm starting to have serious electrical issues requiring that I disconnect the battery on REALLY hot days to reset the car - dome lights flashing @~1Hz.

All in all, this car continues to be a dwindling joy, not to mention an expensive one.

Based on my driving experience with the car with this "tranny issue", continue driving the thing with the thump, as it continues to perform well through hot/cold weather for at least 100KKM more, or until a better solution comes around or you trade it in.

Cheers and good luck!

Larry