12 Reasons Why Your Mercedes C280 is Jerking on Stop

Diagnose and solve your ongoing issues with the Mercedes C280 jerking on stop. Complete guide to identify and fix any issues quickly and effectively!

Is your Mercedes C280 jerking on stop? If yes, then we will explain the possible reasons why it is happening in this article.

You will feel pretty uncomfortable whenever your vehicle jerks to a stop. There can be numerous reasons why a Mercedes C280 is jerking on stop.

For example, if there is an issue with the braking system, mass air flow sensor, vacuum leak, or transmission issues, you will face such a situation.

#1. Damaged Mass Air Flow Sensor

The work of the mass air flow sensor is to detect the amount of air entering the engine and provide this information to the ECU.

The ECU directs the fuel injector to spray the fuel accordingly. In this way, the combustion chamber has a proper balance of air and fuel, and the engine runs smoothly.

But problems in the mass air flow sensor generate a fault code, and it fails to estimate the air volume rate.

The check engine light gets triggered on your dashboard, and your vehicle can jerk during stopping.

What to do if your mass air flow sensor is damaged?

You need to call the mechanic to inspect the mass air flow sensor properly. The mechanic will conduct a few tests to check the condition of the sensor, and if it is damaged, you have to replace it.

#2. Transmission Issues

The transmission system in your vehicle utilizes power produced by the engine and transfers it to the driving wheels. It even makes the engine revolute at a specific speed per minute.

The components of transmission and the process vary depending on the type of transmission in your vehicle i,e, automatic or manual transmission.

Whenever you try to stop your vehicle, then the transmission system disengages the engine and drive wheel, and as a result, the car stays in an idle position.

But when there is a problem with the transmission, then you will be unable to shift gears smoothly, and your car can jerk while stopping your vehicle.

There can be numerous reasons for transmission failure.

For instance, if there is a low level of transmission fluid, then you will face problems.

The transmission fluid is a hydraulic fluid that helps lubricate various components inside the transmission system.

You can shift gears smoothly only because of the proper amount of transmission fluid.

The transmission oil in an automatic transmission system lubricates various parts and provides hydraulic pressure so that the parts of the transmission system can work effectively.

But low fluid levels can cause issues in shifting gears and may be the reason for jerking during the stop.

There can also be leakage of transmission fluid. So, check beneath the car to find any fluid puddles. If you see dark red fluid puddles, it can be transmission fluid.

Another component of the automatic transmission system is the torque converter which works similarly to the clutch in manual transmission.

It helps transfer the torque produced by the engine to the transmission’s input shaft. The torque converter has various components like a turbine, impeller, stator, and many more.

It uses the fluid for transmitting the torque, and defects in impeller blades or turbines can create transmission issues.

Defects in the transmission control unit can also create transmission problems in your vehicle. The limp mode can get activated when there are problems in the transmission and even reduces the engine’s speed.

What to do if you have issues in the transmission system

The transmission component plays a vital role in the vehicle. It’s best to take your car to the mechanic. He will find the root cause of transmission failure and correct it accordingly.

#3. Issues In Brake Rotors

The brake rotors play an essential part in stopping your vehicle. It works along with brake pads to stop your car.

Whenever you press the brake pedal, the brake pad comes into contact with the rotor and creates enough friction to stop the vehicle.

But the disc shape brake rotors can get damaged because of high heat. The issue with brake rotors can be why the vehicle jerks during stops.

What to do about your brake rotors

Check the brake rotors thoroughly, and if you find any cracks, then it’s better to replace them.

#4. Malfunctioning Of Ignition Coil

The battery we use in a vehicle is only 6-12 volts, which is not enough to produce an electric spark in the spark plug.

So the work of the ignition coil is to increase the voltage of the battery so that it can create an electric spark, and the sparkplug can burn the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber.

The ignition coil comprises a soft iron core with primary and secondary windings.

The primary windings on the outer layer of the iron core dissipate heat easily, and the secondary windings have a larger number of turns and are connected to the distributor.

Damage in windings can malfunction the ignition coil, and the vehicle may start to jerk.

What to do if your ignition coil malfunctions

Inspect the windings, and if worn out, replace them with new ones.

#5. Seized Brake Calliper

The brake caliper is an essential component of the disc braking system. It houses the brake pads and piston and helps to slow down your vehicle whenever you apply brakes.

But when the caliper gets seized or stuck, your vehicle can jerk.

There can be numerous reasons for the seized brake caliper. For instance, the caliper can get stuck if the bolts are not lubricated for long days.

You will find a rubber boot on the piston present in the brake caliper.

Its job is to lubricate the piston. But with time, the rubber boot can get damaged or have cracks, allowing dust and dirt to enter. It can also be the reason for the seized brake caliper.

What to do if your brake calipers are seized?

Check the brake caliper, and if it’s seized, then you need to inspect the actual reason for it and accordingly solve the problem.

#6. Damaged Bushings

There are bushings in your vehicle to reduce vibrations and noise. But these bushings or thin tubes can get damaged with time, and it may be the reason for vehicle jerking.

What to do with damaged bushings

Inspect the bushings; if it’s worn out, you have to replace them.

#7. Leakage In Vacuum Hose

The work of the vacuum hoses is to provide power to various components of the vehicle, like the EGR valve, HVAC controls, Vacuum brake booster, and many more.

It even ensures the proper air-fuel mixture is entered inside the combustion chamber.

Leakage in vacuum hoses can generate faulty codes and result in misfiring or jerking during the stop.

What to do if there is a leakage in the vacuum hose?

Check the vacuum hoses, and if you find any cracks or leaks or hear a hissing sound, repair it or replace it with a new one.

#8. Malfunctioning Of the Fuel Pump

The work of the fuel pump is to pump gasoline from the tank so that it can mix with the oxygen and helps in running your vehicle.

But if there is an issue with the fuel pump, the proper amount of gasoline cannot enter the combustion chamber.

It may finally result in misfiring and jerking, or your vehicle may move sluggishly while moving uphills.

How to solve a malfunctioning fuel pump

Inspect the fuel pump; if it has been damaged badly, you must replace it.

#9. Issues In Sparkplugs

The electric spark produced in the spark plug helps burn the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber.

But the sparkplug wires can get damaged with time, which may be why you jerked your vehicle during a stop.

Sometimes the distributor cap can get worn out and results in jerking.

What to do about sparkplug issues

You have to remove each sparkplug and check its condition. If the wires are badly damaged, you must replace them with a new sparkplug.

#10. Issues In Fuel Delivery

The vehicle may experience jerking when there is an issue with fuel delivery. 

For instance, if the fuel filter is severed and clogged, then the proper amount of fuel cannot enter the combustion chamber, which results in the vehicle jerking.

Another essential component is the fuel pressure regulator, which controls the fuel pressure. Defects in this component may result in jerking.

The fuel injector is another vital component whose work is to supply fuel in the form of mist in the combustion chamber so that it can burn with air and makes the engine run properly. 

But if the fuel injectors go bad, then you will experience jerking.

How to solve a fuel delivery problem

You must inspect the fuel injector, fuel pressure distributor, and fuel filter properly. If you find defects in any components, you need to replace them.

#11. Defects In Throttle Body

The throttle body controls the amount of air that needs to be entered inside the combustion chamber in your vehicle based on the pressing of the gas pedal. 

But if the throttle body doesn’t work effectively, your car may jerk.

How to correct a throttle body problem

Inspect the throttle body; if required, you must replace it.

#12. Issues With Clutch

The clutch engages ad disengages the drive shaft from the driven shaft. But if the friction material gets worn out or the pressure plate doesn’t work effectively, then the vehicle will jerk.

What to do with a broken clutch

You need to inspect the clutch, and if any of the parts is damaged badly, then you need to replace it in the worst cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

Car jerking while slowing down or accelerating creates a lot of inconveniences. We have listed below several reasons for car jerking when slowing down.

You need to inspect your vehicle accordingly if you face such a situation. But if you don’t know much about automobile parts, you must take your car to the nearest mechanic to get rid of that solution.

Thank you for reading this article.