T^2 wrote:
This is what it says in the CSN:
"DaimlerChrysler will repair your vehicle free of charge (parts and labor). To do this, your dealer will replace the torque converter and reprogram the engine and transmission control modules. The repair involves a small reduction in engine torque to enhance torque converter and transmission durability. The work will take about 5½ hours to complete. If testing indicates the transmission has been damaged, another hour will be required. However, additional time may be necessary depending on how dealer appointments are scheduled and processed."
Based on that statement, it appears that they will be replacing all torque converters.
I think you are right, they will be replacing all TC's with this recall. I don't think they would put heavier duty TC in, b ecause it is not really need in my opinion. We have not had any tranny problems with our CRD tranny, most likely because of early completion (1,300 miles) of the tranny TSB about the filters and making sure it was refilled with proper amount of tranny fluid and not what FSM incorrectly states. Also we have not done a lot of heavy WOT runs or towed heavy trailers durring this problem period prior to tranny TSB being done for the filters.
One would think that the only reduction in torque would be done just momentarly at shift points at high throttle loading to prevent damage to tranny as a lot of the newer trannys do in other mfg's cars and trucks. Some of the manual shift capable automatic have this feature to prevent damage to engine or tranny as does the 42RLE and W5A580 in the Dodge LS series cars along with same being done an the MB line.
We currently have a similiar programming in the CRD that causes the throttle not to open full when doing a standing start, this is done due to keep within the EPA constrints. This effect is even noticable in gas car and trucks, some engines more then others. If you just give the CRD throttle about 1/3 to 1/2 throttle max and as speed get near ypour throttle imput setting you shove the pettal to the floor you will not have the lag that so many mistakenly call turbo lag. My wife is excellent at doing this after driving modern diesels for 6 years on a regular basis, myself not having driven a modern diesel on regular basis in about 4 years I often forget how the throttle works and have about got myself in trouble more then once. My wife can easly out run my Magnum from a standing start for about 1/8th mile or more. When I follow her in town it is all I can do to keep up with her and she is not hot doging the CRD, she just knows how to work the throttle. Her VW TDI automatic was as bad or worse about the lag if heavy throttle was used at take off then the CRD, so I don't really see the problem being a CRD thing. To me it is a EPA thing we all have to live with for better quality air, or at least that is what I am told.
