"Tiptronic" Always shifts back to Drive
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
1971 280SE, 1988 560SEC AMG Widebody, 1983 500SEL AMG, '01 Lexus LX470, '04 Lexus IS300 Sportcross
"Tiptronic" Always shifts back to Drive
I recently picked up an 01 E55 with 39k miles. The car is in prestine condition all around. Before this W210, I've had a W211 E320 wagon, a 2000 E430 sport, and an 02 E55.
My only issue is with the tiptronic shifting. The car shifts seamlessly throughout all gears in standard Drive and PRND. However, when I tap the shifter to the left it selects 4 but as soon as I release the shifter it switches back to D. If I hold the shifter to the left it will keep shifting down through the gears but as soon as I release it, it immediately switches back to D. I've noticed the shifter seems to be positioned more to the right (+) than it should be with not much room to push it to the right. I had my mechanic look at it and she said the module itself looked alright with nothing obstructing anything.
Has anyone had experience with an issue like this or know where I should start?? Thanks!
My only issue is with the tiptronic shifting. The car shifts seamlessly throughout all gears in standard Drive and PRND. However, when I tap the shifter to the left it selects 4 but as soon as I release the shifter it switches back to D. If I hold the shifter to the left it will keep shifting down through the gears but as soon as I release it, it immediately switches back to D. I've noticed the shifter seems to be positioned more to the right (+) than it should be with not much room to push it to the right. I had my mechanic look at it and she said the module itself looked alright with nothing obstructing anything.
Has anyone had experience with an issue like this or know where I should start?? Thanks!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
1971 280SE, 1988 560SEC AMG Widebody, 1983 500SEL AMG, '01 Lexus LX470, '04 Lexus IS300 Sportcross
Is my understanding correct that the gear shift mechanism is actually in a sealed compartment? Also that it's electronically controlled by the cars computer. That is what I gathered from my mechanic. She recommended seeing of the dealer could reflash or update the software/reprogram it. I honestly feel like it's in the gear shift mechanism as well.
