hello all this is my first time and i hate to ask for help but,i`m loosing my patience with this car..2004 base model..here is the problem..when i drive this car it seems to shift at the wrong times...when it`s going thru the gears it seems that when your doing 30mph it seems to go into 5th then if you slow up it may or may-not downshift at the right speed and when it goes into say 4th or 5th it feels like its way to soon like to soon to be there in that gear..i took the car to the trans shop and he plugged in only to tell me it wasn`t communicating between the tcm and trans and he thinks that's what causing this issue...can anyone PLEASE help....

 

Try doing a throttle reset.
1. Turn the key to the on (not start) position, the position just before the starter
turns over.

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

3. 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.

4. Wait 2 mins. for a full alignment.

5. Drive the car as you always do.

 

1. Check the fluid level.
2. Inspect the electrical connector for leaks, see DIY on replacement.
3. Possibly have to replace the conductor plate in transmission - see DIY.
4. Bad TCM.
5. Bad wiring.

 

As to ala_xfire's post:

1. Likely low
2. Every automatic leaked till it was fixed
3. VERY LIKELY
4. not likely but possible
5. not likely but possible (any evidence of rodents in the car? That is did they chew on wiring?)

 

I don't have a automatic, but is that how it acts in "Winter" mode?

 

No, 'W' mode just causes it to start from 0 in second gear to help with traction.

 

Like to see how this turns out. I'm in "limp mode hell" right now. How does one check the fluid level W/O a dipstick?

 

Get one of these :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351470464396?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

 

Can't you do that anyway via autostick? I could on every other autostick I drove, heck my Cadillac SRX will let me start in 3rd!
Just curious, like I said, I have a 6sp, so I don't know from experience, but since it is basically the same transmission as my Charger I had, I assumed you could.

 

With this autostick, you can manually put it in any gear you want at start and leave it there.
Say you put it in 1st, when you floor it, it will shift to 2nd at about 5500 RPM, then to 3rd at 5500 RPM etc.
When you let off the gas, it will downshift to the next lowest gear depending on speed, the computer knows when to downshift and not speed the engine past 5500.

This Mercedes transmission is computer controlled with a relative short term memory...Mercedes calls it "driver adaptic" the point being is that you can use the "autostick" function to "train" the transmission to shift at certain points... lets say you want it not to go all the way to red line but to upshift at 5k...you do it manualy a few times and the computer retains the idea and will do it on it's own even if you leave it in D...as long as you continue to drive with a similar level of aggressiveness.

The reverse is also true the more you drive like a Grandmother the more the transmission will react this way...most people to not realize or take advantage of this "adaptic" function...and even think there is something wrong with their transmission when it changes shift points...it is usually because it is responding to an input you have given such as down shifting to pass...or again if you are putting around and suddenly "get on it" do not be surprised if it acts "surprised". If you need it to respond aggressively while puttering...use the autostick or the kick down...the same is true of downshifting as well.

 

This car is just strange....i noticed if i start off slowly it will shift smooth,but if i drive it normal it seems to shift hard and not in sync...also sound like a crazy hard vibration when it does this shift thing...

 

also the trans shop says the trans if good and cant get his big dollar scanners to link up with the tcm..that`s why i was wondering if anyone has had this problem...

 

i think is out of my hands !!!!

 

Has any code been set, CEL on or off?
Look for codes being set first, why have this ability if you do not try and use it.
Otherwise we are stabbing at fresh air for answers.

 

No lights...no codes but as i stated scanned will not read this car..

 

These problems came with the car not from me...only had it 3wks...trying to get it all straight..

 

Do you know what codes I am talking about?

 

No i don`t..

 

OBD scanners discussed here.
Trouble codes (PDF)

 

Isnt there some sort of transmission upgrade sync "flash" that the dealers do or check to see if it has been done? I remember the Crossfire dealer tech mentioning something about it and he checked mine and said it had been done -05-. Anything to this? Hope it helps.