phb2phb3

I have a 2001 E320 4Matic with over 250k miles. Great car! Lately I have had issues with the transmission not shifting properly (most noticeable when cold, colder weather). When cold, I reverse from the garage with no issues, but then when I put it into drive it takes several seconds (and sometimes longer) for the tranmission to go into 1st gear (in the mean time if I hit the accelerator, it's like the car is in neutral even though it is in drive). This issue is worse when cold weather outside. When the car warms up and drives for a while the problem goes away. Does the car need transmission fluid? How do you add transmission fluid to this car? It doesn't even have a dip stick! Any ideas or feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Plutoe

Sounds like a fluid flow problem and you are probably low on fluid or need a new filter----Do a forum search on transmission---you will find a plethora of information on the subject----do the reading before you do or buy anything and yes you will need to purchase a transmission fluid level tool----then some lifts for the car and then crawel under the car to drain the fluid---then dispose of the fluid but,---For some reason you do not sound like a DIY project person, therefore take the car to local shop that works on MB's and have them check the fluid level and or make suggestions.

Have a glass of wine and enjoy the fire in the fireplace!!

ohlord

When you purchased your first Mercedes 3 years ago,you had to ask how to change a light bulb.
If that is any indication of how far in over your head you were,making the statement that the OP does not sound like much of a diy'r is sorta like the pot calling the kettle black.
You could shorten up your posts and make your time at the keyboard much shorter if you just pasted the same pat reply you do to most posts and that is to tell them to take it to a shop or dealer with the correct scanner.
You have come a long way from asking simple questions 3 years ago, like
"Thank you very much, but JMJ all I want to do is change two bulbs.
You mean that I have to take the complete trunk liner out to change two bulbs----no wonder the previous owner kept the defective light notation on for so long.
The other interesting thing is WHERE DID YOU GET THE HOW TO DOCUMENT??"
To sending everyone to the shop or a shop or your pretend shop.

BTW where is your shop

illest

OP if the trans fluid/filter has not been changed yet its past time to do so. Also check the eletrical connector as it may be leaking as well. Lots of good DIYs on the other forum.

phb2phb3

Thanks for the response. I suspected a possible fluid issue but didn't want to purchase the $50 tranny fluid dipstick and replacement automatic tranmission cover pin without additional input. I do quite a bit of DIY on other components on my vehicles, just not very knowledgeable when it comes to transmissions. I have replaced half axles, struts, control arms, rotors, brakes, alternators, adjusted valves, etc but I don't have much experience on automatic transmissions. Thanks again...

01BlackE320

My other vehicle is a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.7L and it basically has the same transmission as my E320. Both have had leaky electrical connectors. i brought my E320 to a Mercedes specialist at 100k miles and he performed a transmission service which included replacing the connector, dropped the pan, fluid and filter change. I have 136k miles now and transmission still feels like new. No leaks. The Jeep leaked for a while and started to have a hard time engaging into Drive. Added a quart of ATF-4 and replaced the 13pin electrical connector and its fine now. Bone dry.