I got it!!!!!!!!!!

[drummerboi]

Yesterday was a huge day for me, went and picked up my 03 mm 300a. I was super happy yesterday until I got the car all the way back home. I picked up the car in Nashville and drove it on the freeway home with no problems, well I get home and get on the reg streets to relize I think my transmission is going bad. I couldn't tell riding on the freeway, but when I got off the express way I notice that the cars was not shifting smoothly into 2nd and 3nd. So I went to a tranny shop today, they look at it 2marro, hope it's something minor!! Any advice is welcome. also when I hit high speeds of like 90 the steering wheel shakes a bit, also when I break it shakes a bit aswell.. I hope all this is minor stuff, also when I turn on the car I hear like this little mottor for about 15 sec, I think I read where that had to do with air ride.. Oh yea it has 116,000 on it

[88LTDCV351]

You sure the motor running after start isn't just the radiator fan still on? That is what mine does.

And as far as the shifting, I know these trannys are notorious for hunting. You sure it isn't just that?

[drummerboi]

Well when I turned off air ride in the trunk I didn't hear it any more when I started up, but later today I turned it back on and its doing it again.. As far as the tranny goes that is whst it feels like its trying to find the gear. But I've only had it a day so I'm not sure if that was normal or not..

[SC Cheesehead]

Well when I turned off air ride in the trunk I didn't hear it any more when I started up, but later today I turned it back on and its doing it again.. As far as the tranny goes that is whst it feels like its trying to find the gear. But I've only had it a day so I'm not sure if that was normal or not..

A little air compressor noise on start up is normal.

Is the tranny issue under light throttle or WOT? If light, then it could be the issue that's common with OEM tunes.

[bigdhasmoney]

By a tune from Lidio and see if the tranny is still acting up. Probably what it is, the stock tune.

[Mr. Man]

The buzzing you hear when you start the car is most likely the air compressor motor pumping up the air suspension and that is normal.

Is your MM totally stock? If so the tune in the transmission is programmed for MPG's and is notorious for hunting and not shifting into the appropriate gear until the last possible moment. Car buggy-lugs. A new tune from one of our vendors should fix that issue.

Vibration could be a wheel out of balance. Get them re-balanced anyway and at some point you may want to get the alignment spec-ed to Carfixer specs to help minimize the wear on the front inside tires.

Keep us posted on your progress and :congrats: on your new toy.:)

[Big Black Beast]

Try turning the overdrive off (thumb button on the gearshift). The stock tune is really geary-hunty. Basically, with the stock tune, you need to accelerate quickly and then cruise. If you drive like grandma, you'll have to downshift twice before you get up to speed because the stock tune tries to jump into overdrive as soon as possible and usually before you want it to.

[DOOM]

:congrats: on your marauder! :toast:

[Black_Noise]

get a tune from lidio.... makes the car!! not makes it better, IT MAKES THE CAR.

[drummerboi]

Yea it's stock!!! Thanks on the congradulations lol

[Bluerauder]

Yesterday was a huge day for me, went and picked up my 03 mm 300a. I was super happy yesterday until I got the car all the way back home. I picked up the car in Nashville and drove it on the freeway home with no problems, well I get home and get on the reg streets to relize I think my transmission is going bad. I couldn't tell riding on the freeway, but when I got off the express way I notice that the cars was not shifting smoothly into 2nd and 3nd. So I went to a tranny shop today, they look at it 2marro, hope it's something minor!! Any advice is welcome. also when I hit high speeds of like 90 the steering wheel shakes a bit, also when I break it shakes a bit aswell.. I hope all this is minor stuff, also when I turn on the car I hear like this little mottor for about 15 sec, I think I read where that had to do with air ride.. Oh yea it has 116,000 on it

1. The air compressor will run for about 30-45 seconds on first start up as the airride fills and lifts the rear end. It should cut off in less than a minute. You can fix on a point in your rearview mirror and visually watch the tail end come up. You may not hear it on subsequent start ups if the bags stay full. I only hear it in the morning after it has set overnight.

2. Stock tune does have a shifting problem as others have mentioned. Typically hunts between 2-3-2 up and down at typical secondary road speeds in the 30-40 range. Overdrive is set to "lock" very early around 35 MPH as I recall which aggravates the hunting issue. A tune will fix all of this plus give you a little more in the power arena.

3. Might also be time for a full tranny flush and fill and a filter change. If you can't find out when this was done last by the prior owner, I would go ahead and just do it.

4. Steering Wheel Shimmy at 90 MPH may just be tires or balancing. How do the tires look as far as treadwear? Do you see any signs of wear on the inside edges of the tires? If so, you may need an alignment using "Carfixer's" alignment specs. Depending on the condition of your tires, you may need to replace them too. Most/many people here get "Road Force" balancing at locations that have the Hunter GSP 9700 balancing machine. My car is rock solid and steady at 90+ MPH.

5. Shimmy while braking may indicate a warped rotor due to heavy braking heat. It could also be the tires if the alignment is off and you've got abnormal wear or cupping.

Hope this helps.

[drummerboi]

1. The air compressor will run for about 30-45 seconds on first start up as the airride fills and lifts the rear end. It should cut off in less than a minute. You can fix on a point in your rearview mirror and visually watch the tail end come up. You may not hear it on subsequent start ups if the bags stay full. I only hear it in the morning after it has set overnight.

2. Stock tune does have a shifting problem as others have mentioned. Typically hunts between 2-3-2 up and down at typical secondary road speeds in the 30-40 range. Overdrive is set to "lock" very early around 35 MPH as I recall which aggravates the hunting issue. A tune will fix all of this plus give you a little more in the power arena.

3. Might also be time for a full tranny flush and fill and a filter change. If you can't find out when this was done last by the prior owner, I would go ahead and just do it.

4. Steering Wheel Shimmy at 90 MPH may just be tires or balancing. How do the tires look as far as treadwear? Do you see any signs of wear on the inside edges of the tires? If so, you may need an alignment using "Carfixer's" alignment specs. Depending on the condition of your tires, you may need to replace them too. Most/many people here get "Road Force" balancing at locations that have the Hunter GSP 9700 balancing machine. My car is rock solid and steady at 90+ MPH.

5. Shimmy while braking may indicate a warped rotor due to heavy braking heat. It could also be the tires if the alignment is off and you've got abnormal wear or cupping.

Hope this helps.
Yes that help!!!!!!!!! You guys truly are a life saver. Thank you!!!!

[guspech750]

Congratulations on your purchase of a MM!!


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Eaton Swap + 4.10's = Wreeeeeeeeeedom!!

[CBT]

Good for you! :beer:

[Granddaddy Marq]

All your problems sound normal to me. What the other guys are telling you, follow their advice. Your going to love your car. Maybe we'll meet at one of the breakfast club meeting. Every 3rd Saturday at the Cracker Barrel in Marietta Ga. I don't make every one but I try. Can you guess where the pix of my car where made?

[tbone]

New front tires solved the high speed shake AND the braking shimmy on my car. I bought it at 92k and now have 133k and have never once had an alignment. The front tires wear perfectly. The rears are a different story. :burnout:

[tbone]

Oh yeah, Congrats on the purchase! Marauders are a special car! And the help to fix what goes wrong with it on this site is indispensable!:)

[drummerboi]

Your pic is down town Chattanooga at the aquarium Lol

[Merrill]

Congrats on the great car, just got my second one. Glad to see some young guys loving these cars. Life is too short to drive boring unimportant cars!!

[drummerboi]

Yea this marauder is everthing but slow and boring, plus it gets so much attention..

[Gryphonzus]

Welcome to the club! Most of your problems have been addressed by the above members so I cannot add much to it except check the lug nuts to make sure they are snug. Best of luck on your new ride!

[HammerDown]

Yesterday was a huge day for me, went and picked up my 03 mm 300a. I was super happy yesterday until I got the car all the way back home. I picked up the car in Nashville and drove it on the freeway home with no problems, well I get home and get on the reg streets to relize I think my transmission is going bad. I couldn't tell riding on the freeway, but when I got off the express way I notice that the cars was not shifting smoothly into 2nd and 3nd. So I went to a tranny shop today, they look at it 2marro, hope it's something minor!! Any advice is welcome. also when I hit high speeds of like 90 the steering wheel shakes a bit, also when I break it shakes a bit aswell.. I hope all this is minor stuff, also when I turn on the car I hear like this little mottor for about 15 sec, I think I read where that had to do with air ride.. Oh yea it has 116,000 on it

First--congratulations--you'll love it.

When I bought my 'rauder and drove it home -- same thing -- steering wheel shaking. Well, it was ALL FOUR wheels were out of balance. Once that was fixed, no more shimmy or shake.

Enjoy your ride and welcome to the site!!

:welcome:

[hamcheese]

Get a tune, start there...

[MyBlackBeasts]

Like everyone said, the stock tune is crap. Its shift points are terrible and the 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th shifts are so bad it feels like the trans is shot. A phone call to Lidio and 60 seconds loading his tune and instantly I had a new car!!!!!!! It will be the best $$$ you spend on the car. Enjoy the MM! :D