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?

 

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.

 

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?

 

I'm certainly no expert, but I've seen on other threads here that the Star diagnostics system that the dealers use is not the same as the ones used by Pep Boys, Autozone, Advanced Auto Parts, etc. Whether the dealer's units are superior is anyone's guess, but they are apparently necessary for diagnosing certain obscure problems.

I don't think the average consumer can even buy these Star units.

Good luck and welcome to the forum,
Musikmann

 

Yes, Star Diagnostics is proprietary to Mercedes benz vehicles and only certain places, like your dealer, and other mercedes shops can access it.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Had the same symptoms with no codes...
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.

 

For pre-face lift W210 - with mileage 130K+ - symptoms when cold most likely worn gear selector "switch" which is replaceable..