W204 Vibration

[phil barker]

Bought a new W204 220cdi auto at the end of Oct. Seems to get a vibration through the car at very low throttle openings. Most noticable at around 1400 revs when only using enough accelerator to just keep up with the flow of traffic. Its like its driving in too high a gear for the speed and if it was a manual its as though its about to stall. At speed on a motorway the problem is still there again just keeping with the flow at small throttle openings.

In November the dealer took it back for a couple of hours and on collection said that it was a software problem between the engine and gearbox and that M-B are aware of the problem and are currently working on a "fix".

Took a call from the dealers this morning to book the car in next Monday for the "fix" to be applied.

Has anybody heard of this problem with some of the new W204's ?

Regards Phil

 

[st13phil]

As I'm picking up my W204 220cdi in January I have an interest in this...

I picked up on it a week ago, from a posting (the one from Harprit Grewal) on the Reader Reviews section of the What Car? site, but until your post I hadn't spotted it anywhere else. Hopefully, as my car completed build only yesterday it will already have the fix deployed. Please let us know how your fix goes next week.

 

[television]

There have been no postings of this nature, please keep us informed

 

[BlackC55]

- Torque converter clutch jolting, or distinctly perceptible jerk when lockup clutch engages, occasionally with humming/droning noises. -
Topic number GI27.60-P-010947
Version 3
Group number 27.60 Gearshift, control
Date 10-29-2007
Validity Transmission 722.6
Reason for change Model series 204 with NAG1 added and remedy changed

Complaint
When accelerating or driving at constant speed, the vehicle may jolt or there may be a noticeable jolt, possibly with humming/droning afterwards.

Cause

A torque converter lockup clutch which is not adapted or is poorly adapted (KÜB).

Note:

Only on vehicles with torque converter lockup clutch cut-in as of 1st gear.

This applies in particular if the converter, EHS or ETC was replaced within the last approx. 10,000 km.


Remedy

There are 2 steps for adapting the torque converter lockup clutch:

1. Adaptation via coolant temperature and

2. Adaptation in 3 torque windows.


1st Step, adaptation via coolant temperature:

1. Perform cold start

2. Engage gear range "D"

3. Move steering wheel to straight-ahead position and brake vehicle for 20 seconds with service brake

4. Drive until coolant temperature has increased by approx. 20°C (at least 18°C but not more than 22°C)

5. Repeat steps 3 +4 until the operating temperature (coolant temperature) of 80-90 °C is reached.


2nd step, adaptation in 3 torque windows:

1. Transmission oil temperature must be over 60 °C

2. Gears 2-4 are best suited for the following steps (if necessary limit the transmission to these gears with the gearshift lever) as is driving on a level road surface at a speed between 40 and

80 km/h.

3. Drive vehicle to torque range of 20 – 40 Nm (rpm between 1200 and 1500 rpm) and hold for at least 5 seconds (menu

of upshift 2-3 is suitable for display). If it was not possible to maintain the torque range for 5 seconds, repeat this step.

4. Drive vehicle to torque range of 40 – 80 Nm (rpm between 1200 and 1600 rpm) and hold for at least 5 seconds (menu

of upshift 4-5 is suitable for display). If it was not possible to maintain the torque range for 5 seconds, repeat this step.

5. Drive vehicle to torque range of 80 – 120 Nm (rpm between 1500 and 1800 rpm) and hold for at least 5 seconds (menu

of upshift 4-5 is suitable for display). If it was not possible to maintain the torque range for 5 seconds, repeat this step.

6. After termination of the adaptation procedure, always leave the engine running with vehicle at standstill for approx. 10 minutes. This is

necessary so that all values are transferred to the control unit memory without exception.


Symptoms
Symptom
power transmission / Automatic transmission / Automatic transmission - function / General
power transmission / Automatic transmission / Automatic transmission - noises / Humming/droning
power transmission / Automatic transmission / Automatic transmission - function / Shifts

Operation numbers/damage codes
Op. no. Time Damage code Note
Operation text
27287H4

 

[television]

What can one say Olly that tops it all

 

[BlackC55]

This may not be it but its the only bit of information on it around.

 

[phil barker]

What a reply BlackC55 what would we do on this forum without your valuble input?

I'm assuming now that my dealer has this same information as per your post. As mentioned the car goes in on Monday for this fix. Fingers crossed.

I'll post again with the outcome.

Regards Phil

 

[phil barker]

Well the "fix" did'nt entirely work.
The vibration problem is still there, just a little less so. The Dealer says that according to the Mercedes Benz Bulletin keep driving and after a few thousand miles it should get better!
Thats not very encouraging.
Surely this is not just my car, Are there other forum members with new W204's with this vibration problem? Its a problem M-B seem to know about

Phil

 

[BlackC55]

Did they do the fix I put up?

 

[phil barker]

I assumed that they did as per M-B Bulletin.
Is that not what you posted?
They seem at a loss as to the problem, they must have assumed because they had recieved software from M-B that would be a cure all and be the end of the problem. I am in discussion with them regarding a way forward on this. The car has only done 2,300 mls.

 

[st13phil]

Well the "fix" did'nt entirely work.l

Hmm... Please keep us posted on any further developments. Likewise, I'll post to this thread if my W204 exhibits the same issue. BTW, did it do this from day 1, or is it a problem that developed at a particular mileage?

 

[phil barker]

Yes from day 1 after 50 mile drive home from dealer. really concerned on second day at about 65 miles. Then I was away for a week. I contacted dealer on return.

Phil

 

[st13phil]

Thanks. I'll look out for it when I pick mine up. For reference, I understand that this occurs when under light throttle just maintaining speed on the flat. Is that correct? Also, at what roadspeed is it most noticeable?

 

[phil barker]

Your understanding is correct. Various roadspeeds although in a 40 zone at 1400 revs when its in 4th or 5th is most prominant. I use tipshift down when it starts to vibrate and upshift when out of the speed/revs window. The vibration is really across the range as it will vibrate at a steady 60 or 70 mph but not as noticable.