... i just found out that when i disconnected both cables to battery, to shut down/reset settings, the siren sounds off...WITH BATTERY COMPLETELY disconnected! nice!

 

BACK IN THE GAME...


Finally, finally my XF's problem has been correctly identified... by THIRD dealer... over 2 months... of not knowing and here it is:

TCM 5140514-AA tranny module

apparently my XF is 1 of three to have this problem... the paperwork i got from XFTECH here at this forum (thanks)and a MBTECH at another forum... assisted to provide the third dealer the correct course of action.

Not all of the XF's down time was due to dealer neglect, i had gone on a 5 week holiday... placing the XF up on blocks until i got back.

Now the tranny is smooth and shifts crisply...

funny thing is... with no XF it was bittersweet to view this forum...

anyway... i hope none of you goes thru my grim scenario.


thanks for all the info XFF.org!

 

Great to hear you finally got a result from the dealer, and that's the kind of invoice i like - one with a big fat zero at the bottom!

 

XFIRE1, what exactly did they do, replace the transmission module "TCM 5140514-AA"? If so, what was wrong with it? I printed out the receipt you posted and I already have an appointment scheduled for Thursday to get an oil change. I'd like to tell them exactly what fixed your car and tell them our symptoms are identical and have them re evaluate my car.

 

mjanowich bring this with you as it helped the dealer that repaired my XF, i got it from a MBtech on a MB forum as it is happening with the slk320:

Here is what i got from a MB technician on our AUTOMATIC trans...

MB calls the vibration DRONING... and with this info i will go back to the dealership...


DTB
Date:
March 23, 2006
Order No.:
P-B-27.60/43b
Supersedes:
P-B-27.60/43a dated May 3, 2005

Group:
27
Revision History
Revision
Date
Purpose

3/23/06
Step 1 Updated/Noted Added Following Step 1


5/3/05


Damage Code Updated
-
1/10/05
Initial issue

SUBJECT:
Model 170.466
Model 203.040/065/740
Model 211.065/070/076/082/083/265/282/283
Model 215.374
Model 220.174
Model 230.474/476
Equipped with 722.6 Automatic Transmission
Torque Converter Clutch Rough Engagement and/or Droning/Buzzing

If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles that during acceleration and/or constant drive there is a noticeable jerk, possibly followed by a droning/buzzing, adapt the torque converter clutch as per the below procedure. This may be caused by a lack of/or inadequate adaptation of the torque converter clutch. This particularly applies in cases where there is less than 6,000 miles accrued on the torque converter or transmission control unit.
1. Read engine coolant temperature out with Star Diagnosis [Cars �� Vehicle Type �� control units �� ME �� Actual Values �� Test engine at idle speed].

Note: Before starting the procedure, the engine coolant temperature must be below 20° C / 68° F.
2. Start the engine (cold start, over-night), select “D“ with the shifter and hold the vehicle at idle speed for 20 seconds by depressing the brake pedal.




This bulletin has been created and maintained in accordance with MBUSA-SLP S423QH001, Document and Data Control, and MBUSA-SLP S424HH001, Control of Quality Records. © 2006 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation in whole Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc. or in part is not permitted without authorization from the Dealer Workshop Services publisher. Printed in U.S.A. www.MBUSA.com 1-800-FOR-MERCedes www.startekinfo.com

3. Start driving the vehicle between 30-40 mph on level ground using the cruise control. With SDS, observe the engine coolant temperature until the engine coolant temperature has risen approx. 10° C / 18° F.

Warning! Hazardous procedure for one technician alone.
4. Stop driving and hold the vehicle in “D” at idle speed for 20 seconds by depressing the brake pedal.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with each engine coolant temperature increase of about 10° C / 18° F until the operating temperature levels out.
6. After reaching a transmission oil temperature of 80° C / 176° F, continue driving between 30-40 mph, on level ground for 10 minutes cumulatively using the cruise control to maintain consistent engine load.

Note: The following allowable labor operations should be used when submitting a warranty claim for this repair.
In Case of Warranty
Operation: Automatic transmission electronic shift adaptation, perform (27-1046)
Damage Code
Operation Number
Time (hrs.)
Model Indicator (s)
27284 45
27 1046
1.0 hrs.
G4, M9, N5, P3, Q1, Q3, R2, R3, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, U1, U3, U4




P-B-27.60/43b (March 23, 2006) 2


AND THIS: from our own beloved XFF.ORG member... crossfire-tech:

Re: The last straw. - 01-20-2006 , 01:36 PM


Case Number K95898508
Vehicle Issue Customer Complains Of A Vibration / Shudder When Transmission Makes 1-2 Shift.
Year 2005 , 2004
Model ZH - Crossfire
Engine 3.2L V6 SOHC 18V
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Model NAG1 (5spd Automatic - RWD - Electronic Shift - TCM)
Category Customer Concern (No DTCs)
System or Component Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
Symptom Shudder, Vibration
Driver Input / Vehicle Operation Acceleration , Steady Speed
Transmission Gear or Shift Involved 1-2 Upshift
Case Verification Technician can duplicate concern even when shifter is manually shifted into 1st gear.
If the ABS module is unplugged, the problem goes away. May have codes set in the ABS for LT and RT front speed sensors. Technician tries another ABS module and problem still exists. The technician can duplicate a similar feel in vehicle when he taps on the yaw sensor.
Technician has verified that the ESP (electronic stability program) is activating and applying the rear brakes causing the shudder/vibration.
Recommendation Replace the transmission control module.
Comments There have been 2 known cases of this same issue where a transmission controller fixed the vehicle.
Modification Date 9/30/04 9:10 AM



so when i became (officially) number three in chrysler's database to have this repair done...the tranny module had some sort of short in it... rendering it useless in deciding what gear to place the car in... they took all the info above and solved the problem swiftly!!!

any other questions... let me know... even if your dealer has to call mine... they can ask for MIKE (service Manager).

good luck

josh

 

This is great news...making an appointment for this weekend, Chrysler is full of BS...love my car but CD is full of it, characteristic my ***...thanks again.

 

Thanks for the information Josh. I'll report my experience with the service department at Manassas Chrysler on Thursday.

 

I don't know if this is relevant to the topic, but it is an AutoStick thing ....

I've noticed that when I use the AutoStick to shift (wanna-gearhead) that I'll downshift to say 2nd, the indicator reads 2 but from what I can tell it really shifts to 1st on it's own and then up to 2nd if it feels that it's pulled itself through to proper speed. It won't shift to 3rd unless I shift it ... it doesn't just do this when I go to 2nd, but I've noticed it when I've gone to 3rd ...

It could be something built into the system .. Just wanted to know if anyone else has noticed this.

adoni

 

i am on the autostick 90% of the time the wheels are rolling... i am not clear on what you are describing ... like overriding the choice you made?

when i 1st had the XF, i did notice that when i went from 3 down to 2 and into 1 (all indicated on the dash) ...i was still in 2 when the dash indicated 1. then when everything was in synch with all of the xf's communications systems (speed/rpm etc) it geared itself down into one...

however now my tranny responds to my choices 95% of the time... i'm happy.
our trannies also memorizes the type of driving we do and responds accordingly...

hope this helped.

 

Mjanovich...

nice link you have in your signature... the specs and vids!!!

thanks

j

 

Yes .. overriding the choice ... it's like the car decided that I didn't downshift far enough for the speed I was going and decided to go that extra gear down. The number on the dash doesn't change, but as I accelerate it upshifts WITHOUT me upshifting, but doesn't go farther than what I've shifted to. I agree, I don't think I'm describing it very well.

Try this the next time you go out ... when slowing to turn a corner, downshift to 2nd, then accelerate ... and listen ... you should feel it downshift, then upshift .. at least I do.

Since I purchased this with 141 miles on it and it being 2+ years old, can I re-teach it?

adoni

 

adoni

you described it fine... see i understood... really what isn't clear is my brain... heheheh... getting too late here... anyway...
i know exactly what happens when i enter a turn from... 3 ..i slap it into 2 ... it stays in 2... doesn't shift into 1 it kinda floats where the rpm is too low... no torque or bite that's when i know i should have shifted it earlier into 1!

my tranny is nicely self-programmed... the tranny can be reset... re-taught... look below where i posted the MB recommendations... follow that sequence they describe to their techies to recalibrate the tranny... NOW, i don't have a tranny temp gauge to see the rise in temp intervals as they are describing... but i used the engine temp gauge and or stopped every 1 minute hoping i would achieve the required tranny temp levels...

also there is a way to reset the engine's computers by pressing on the accelerator pedal for a certain amount of time and turning the key on and off in a pattern... the engine also has a "memory" knowing if the driver has a heavy or light foot... so it anticipates in advance what we might do under certain load conditions etc...

that engine reset pattern is somewhere here on this forum... use the search engine...
if you can't find it... let me know... i have it in my other computer...

this can also be achieved by disconnecting the battery for a certain amount of time...

happy 4th

j

 

Josh,

Thank you. I will continue my research on the reset. As many have said about this forum, lots of help can be found and I believe it. I hope that one day I become an "advisor" too.

Here's another test for you ... you come to a stop sign, but only downshifted to 3rd. From a dead stop, the indicator reads 3 step on the gas and don't shift ... the transmission will start from 1st, then 2nd and then up to 3rd like a normal automatic does but won't go farther than 3rd because that's where you left it. I think it's smarter than we give it credit.

I'll report back on my reset ... thanks again.

adoni

 

found it:

as HDDP stated:
Throttle Body Adjustment. They say this works on all drive by wire vehicles and resets parameters WITHOUT Having to disconnect battery!


The Throttle is "Drive By Wire" and adapts to your particular driving
style. Do a TBA Throttle body adaptation.

1. Get in your car, it doesn't matter if you close the door or not.

2. Turn the key to the on (not start) position, the position just before the starter
turns over.

3. Press the gas pedal to the floor with the key in the "on" position.

4. Hold the pedal to the floor for five seconds, then turn the key back
to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas
pedal.

5. Wait 2 mins. for a full alignment.

6. Drive the car as you always do.

Depending on your driving style, this may or may not be a big factor. I do a lot of city driving so
I noticed a big change after erasing my history. It is not hard to do this, just follow the instructions -

Key on, pedal down, 5 sec, key off pedal up, wait 2 minutes.

Keep the key in for the entire thing.

If this doesn't work, disconnect your neg. battery cable for 20 minutes. This will re-set the parameters in the drive-by-wire... Unfortunately it will delete your pre-set radio stations, clock etc. as well...

 

when i am indicating 3rd on the auto-stick... and start from a dead (several times)... my tranny remains in 3rd... however, the 1st time i tried i was in 2nd... although the dash read 3rd... it will stay in 3rd until my tach nudges past redline... this is when you can feel the true "torque-iness" of the engine biting the road through the 19's!!!

 

Never had this happen. My xfire has 12,000 miles now.

 

OK, I went to Manassas Chrysler yesterday to get my oil changed and my new Rotex front brake pads installed and I brought all the paperwork with me regarding the droning sound. They said they couldn't find anything wrong - again. The tech didn't even look at the paperwork and the service manager I was dealing with said the transmission control module wouldn't cause any droning sound. They checked Chrysler for any mention of it and found nothing. He also said they can't access the Mercedes database even though they are the same company. I'm getting fed up with the hassle. I'll take my car to a new dealer closer to work in a few weeks when I have time and try to start the process all over again. Maybe I'll get someone who's willing to work with me.

 

Yeah... i didn't get satisfaction until my third dealership... although the 1st 2 i didn't have the tech papers...

As far as the MB database... the third dealer didn't have access either although did utilize it ... assisting them to pinpoint... they had made copies of it so that the service manager and the XFtech had hardcopies.

In my case... the DRONING occurred because of the module's malfunction... sending misleading info that caused the torque converter to stutter and the drive shaft and rear differential to cough... my droning stemmed from rear-passenger side-wheel...

How long have you been experiencing this? Where do you feel the vibrations? How often and when does it occur (as mine started off once every week or so then progressed to EVERYTIME the engine hit the 1,300-1,800 rpm mark and the vibration was loud enough to be heard from outside the XF).

When at the dealer, were they able to replicate the vibration?

Lastly... don't run of patience...

 

It started in the spring and I'm not sure where the vibrations are coming from. The have not been able to replicate it. I get the vibration at the same rpm range that you did, around 1,500 rpm, getting louder until about 2,000 then it stops. It doesn't happen all the time. There's another dealership closer to work that I'll try in a few weeks. If they fix it, they'll have my business from now on.

 

Dropped of my xfire last night at the dealership...printed them the invoice and the other documents, no questions asked by them...so far so good and I even got a loaner as well. I thought that they were going to give me a hard time about this since they said it was a characteristic of the xfire the last time they checked it out. Hopefully I have an updated from them and post it here later.