E320 will not automatically shift when cold
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville, Louisiana
2010 E350 Luxury with Sport wheels
E320 will not automatically shift when cold
When temp is below 40 degrees in the morning, my E320 always starts out in 2nd gear and will not shift automatically--can run all the way to redline (not that I'd do that on a cold engine, but want to point out this is not the "heat up the catalytic converter" mode). I have to shift up to 3rd and 4th manually, and when I come to a stop I have to downshift to 3rd and then 2nd. After I've driven about 15 minutes I can put the selector in "D" and it will work normally, including going into 5th gear, or 1st gear, for that matter.
An interesting point: I've discovered when driving before it is light out that the selector does not light up "D" when the automatic shifting is not working. That certainly suggests to me that the problem is in the electronics that sense the selector position, yet I don't understand why it would only be a problem while the engine/tranny are relatively cold and temp is below 40 degrees. My sister-in-law has an almost identical W210, and she did the spilling the Diet Coke in the console trick and the tranny would not shift at all. I'd suspect my fiancee may have spilled something while she was driving my car, but any problem from liquids getting into the circuitry should be a problem at all temps, not just cold weather????
Ordered the DVD shop manual a few minutes ago, and hoping it can shed some light on this. Meanwhile, has anyone ever experienced this?
An interesting point: I've discovered when driving before it is light out that the selector does not light up "D" when the automatic shifting is not working. That certainly suggests to me that the problem is in the electronics that sense the selector position, yet I don't understand why it would only be a problem while the engine/tranny are relatively cold and temp is below 40 degrees. My sister-in-law has an almost identical W210, and she did the spilling the Diet Coke in the console trick and the tranny would not shift at all. I'd suspect my fiancee may have spilled something while she was driving my car, but any problem from liquids getting into the circuitry should be a problem at all temps, not just cold weather????
Ordered the DVD shop manual a few minutes ago, and hoping it can shed some light on this. Meanwhile, has anyone ever experienced this?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 1
From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
You are correct regarding the liquids and circuitry.
Have a shop look at the Transmission Control Module. Also see if the car throws back any codes when checking with Star Diagnostics, which can only be done by a Mercedes shop.
Have a shop look at the Transmission Control Module. Also see if the car throws back any codes when checking with Star Diagnostics, which can only be done by a Mercedes shop.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville, Louisiana
2010 E350 Luxury with Sport wheels
Tranny won't shift when cold
I forgot to mention that I checked for codes with my OBD-II reader/scanner, and there were none.
you mentioned codes that only the MB dealer can read. Is the MB not compliant with the OBD-II requirement?
you mentioned codes that only the MB dealer can read. Is the MB not compliant with the OBD-II requirement?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
OBD-II and Star diagnostics
I don't think the average consumer can even buy these Star units.
Good luck and welcome to the forum,
Musikmann
Last edited by Musikmann; Dec 6, 2006 at 12:39 PM. Reason: change
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1999 E300 TD
Bill I am having the exact same issue all the way down to the D not lighting up until it warms up - i have a 99 E300TD
please let me know if you have any luck with a solution and i will do the same if i have any luck.
please let me know if you have any luck with a solution and i will do the same if i have any luck.
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Socal
67 Camino
Experienced something very similar only wasnt 100% temp dependent but happened most often when cold
Turned out a simple reflash solved the issue
Was worried it was a shift solenoid or worse a trans.
$100 and I was on my way been a yr now not one glitch at all.
Turned out a simple reflash solved the issue
Was worried it was a shift solenoid or worse a trans.
$100 and I was on my way been a yr now not one glitch at all.
Last edited by port haus; Mar 8, 2016 at 09:38 PM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
1999 E320 wagon
I opened the heated vent in my glove box, and the problem went away. I think that moving warm air past the shifter module warms it. However , if this works, it means the module is failing and should be replaced.
Last edited by russman1963; Mar 10, 2017 at 09:35 AM. Reason: fat fingers
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