03 E500 transmission problem
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
2004 E500
Hello all,
Well I have a 2003, E500 with 119,000 miles on it.
I bought it used with a shade over 100K on the odo.
I have had two instances where the shudder happened when I was slowing down between 5-10 mph.
How do I identify my radiator to see if it is one of the bad ones? Should this problem have reared it's ugly head by now?
My indie has recomended changing the trans conductor plate, filter and fluid flush just as a precaution..he has an old bulleting regarding the valve body controller on my model.
I plan on keeping this car for a while, so does anybody have any tips to make sure this issue doesn't come up with the glycol contamination?
Thanks,
Well I have a 2003, E500 with 119,000 miles on it.
I bought it used with a shade over 100K on the odo.
I have had two instances where the shudder happened when I was slowing down between 5-10 mph.
How do I identify my radiator to see if it is one of the bad ones? Should this problem have reared it's ugly head by now?
My indie has recomended changing the trans conductor plate, filter and fluid flush just as a precaution..he has an old bulleting regarding the valve body controller on my model.
I plan on keeping this car for a while, so does anybody have any tips to make sure this issue doesn't come up with the glycol contamination?
Thanks,
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2003 E500
I just replaced my transmission on my 03 E500. I guess after a grueling 30,000 miles that's normal... No idea why my transmission broke though. It was not because of the radiator. After reading the forums (believe me, I've been reading this thread ever since 2008 when my car began to have problems) I always thought it was the radiator but the dealer and my private mechanic (and uncle) always said they never found any contamination.
If you're going for a rebuild, just make sure it's done by someone with a good reputation that has other MB owners saying the same. There are a ton of rebuilders in my area but I'd be better off using a transmission from a junkyard. I ended up buying a remanufactured one from the west coast.
Anyway, it's been over 3 years now and I'm glad I finally have my car back in proper running condition.
If you're going for a rebuild, just make sure it's done by someone with a good reputation that has other MB owners saying the same. There are a ton of rebuilders in my area but I'd be better off using a transmission from a junkyard. I ended up buying a remanufactured one from the west coast.
Anyway, it's been over 3 years now and I'm glad I finally have my car back in proper running condition.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Lagos, Nigeria
2004 E500 (avantgarde)
hey everyone, i am new on this, so pardon me for taking you guys back. i have a 2003 E500 avantgarde with about 60k miles on it. i started noticing the odd vibrations and rough shifts a couple of days ago, and its getting worse. i am a young Nigerian auto technician and i experimenting a lot on my car for better understanding of what leads to these freak failures. my radiator and transmission fluids are in perfect condition, with no contamination. so this means i am stuck with either the transmission, torque converter or EGS having an issue or issues. i own an updated 2011 mercedes benz star c3 diagnosis machine, but it passes the transmission with every scan (ruling out electrical issues with the transmission). i have split open the transmission, changed the planetries, fluid, filter and the clutches but the problem still exists.. its a bone wrecking and back breaking job, but my quest must go on... i need help on how i can possibly update/ upgrade the EGS cos my diagnosis machine aint helping and also a link to where i can check all the possible functions of the torque converter....If MB cant help, then we should take it upon ourselves.. afterall we are the end users..thanks.....
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: NC
E500
Well hi to everyone, im a newbie here and i guess with the same problem as many here.
I just got a 2003 E500 from a private seller, the car has 145k. And it has the jerking issue, the previous owner told me that he had the car checked at the dealer and no contamination, they flush the tranny. But he dont have the time to waste dealing with the car, (@65yr old man). Now, can anyone give me few ideas on where should i start? How can i identify if i have the bad radiator, ect... I love the car, its nice, so i would like to know what do begin with. Thanks in advance
I just got a 2003 E500 from a private seller, the car has 145k. And it has the jerking issue, the previous owner told me that he had the car checked at the dealer and no contamination, they flush the tranny. But he dont have the time to waste dealing with the car, (@65yr old man). Now, can anyone give me few ideas on where should i start? How can i identify if i have the bad radiator, ect... I love the car, its nice, so i would like to know what do begin with. Thanks in advance
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: USA
Multiple
In my case, I didn't have any symptoms at all. One day the car just refused to shift out of low gear. It immediately went into "Drive Home" mode which meant I drove home on the right shoulder of the road at about 20 MPH and called the MB tow truck when I got home. The car was at the dealer for several weeks waiting for a new transmission from Germany. I think the car had 24,000 miles on it at that time. As soon as I got it back from the Service Center with a new transmission, I sold it.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,633
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
First step would be to have the ATF analyzed http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ even though previous owner claims dealer checked it. Detailed analysis will not only reveal contamination if present but in addition, will uncover anything else that may be going on with transmission.
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Newbie
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2003 E500
2003 E500 Transmission problem
There is a Gas Tank Leak class action on 2003-2009 E class
http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsu...ction-lawsuit/
http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsu...ction-lawsuit/
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
03 E500
Back from the dead.
So after only a month of owning my E500, this claimed up shift/jerking started this past weekend. my vehicle has 215k on the clock, and is still VERY fast. I've made repairs to the common problematic maf, map, and carrier bearing, as well as the trans mount. But other than that, this is the first time I've ever seen or noticed this up shift/jump into the next gear. I've recognized last night, with little more than 3-3.5k shifting, the problem somewhat goes away. I have been from Houston to Ft. Worth and back no problems(with transmission) whatsoever, and the usual commute around Houston. I DO believe the motor mounts are on their way out and will need to be repaired, but other than that, nothing else has really concerned me. I have disconnected the battery a few times due to the replacement of said electrical sensors and with the new installation of an aftermarket amp/subs. so with that being said, there may be a little confusion with the car learning its new driver.
Any suggestions? I will be looking into the radiator aspect of the vehicle to see if I have the Valeo or Behr radiator. hopefully something can be done in order to resolve this matter in a MINIMAL cost effort.
So after only a month of owning my E500, this claimed up shift/jerking started this past weekend. my vehicle has 215k on the clock, and is still VERY fast. I've made repairs to the common problematic maf, map, and carrier bearing, as well as the trans mount. But other than that, this is the first time I've ever seen or noticed this up shift/jump into the next gear. I've recognized last night, with little more than 3-3.5k shifting, the problem somewhat goes away. I have been from Houston to Ft. Worth and back no problems(with transmission) whatsoever, and the usual commute around Houston. I DO believe the motor mounts are on their way out and will need to be repaired, but other than that, nothing else has really concerned me. I have disconnected the battery a few times due to the replacement of said electrical sensors and with the new installation of an aftermarket amp/subs. so with that being said, there may be a little confusion with the car learning its new driver.
Any suggestions? I will be looking into the radiator aspect of the vehicle to see if I have the Valeo or Behr radiator. hopefully something can be done in order to resolve this matter in a MINIMAL cost effort.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,633
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
