2003 E500 transmission questions
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Atlanta
2002 G500, 2007 CLS 550, 2018 GLC 300
2003 E500 transmission questions
My 2003 E500 has 117,000 miles on it. The transmission fluid and filter were replaced recently. Twice since the transmission service, after full-throttle acceleration, the transmission slips into neutral instead of upshifting into a higher gear and will stay in neutral. The gear indicator in the instrument cluster displays "D" as normal. The only way to get it back into drive again is to bring the car to a complete stop. The instant the car stops rolling, I have forward power again and can drive off, no problem. This ONLY happens when the car is cold (less than 5 minutes after a cold start). Is the transmission fluid level low? When warm, the transmission shifts perfectly with no issues, instantly downshifts upon full-throttle, upshifts correctly afterward.
Another question; this car has the Valeo radiator. I'm concerned about glycol contamination, but I've heard most cars with this issue will manifest this problem around the 30,000 mile mark. At 117,000 miles, does it still make sense to swap out the stock radiator for an updated Behr unit?
Another question; this car has the Valeo radiator. I'm concerned about glycol contamination, but I've heard most cars with this issue will manifest this problem around the 30,000 mile mark. At 117,000 miles, does it still make sense to swap out the stock radiator for an updated Behr unit?
Last edited by foreyes; Aug 13, 2011 at 04:44 PM.
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From: NY
2014 E550; 2003 E500
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
My 2003 E500 has 117,000 miles on it. The transmission fluid and filter were replaced recently. Twice since the transmission service, after full-throttle acceleration, the transmission slips into neutral instead of upshifting into a higher gear and will stay in neutral. The gear indicator in the instrument cluster displays "D" as normal. The only way to get it back into drive again is to bring the car to a complete stop. The instant the car stops rolling, I have forward power again and can drive off, no problem. This ONLY happens when the car is cold (less than 5 minutes after a cold start). ...............?
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From: Grayson, GA
W211 E55, W211 E500 estate, A124 E320
I will diagnose your car for $65, I worked on Mercedes Benz's at the dealer for 10+ years and now I am a shop foreman for a European Shop in Atlanta area. I live in Stone Mountain. Pm me if you are interested.
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From: Atlanta
2002 G500, 2007 CLS 550, 2018 GLC 300
Vettdvr, that is interesting that your car has done that since new. Makes me worry less about it. My solution for now is not to accelerate rapidly until the car is fully warmed up (which I should be doing anyway).
MBspecialist, which shop are you at?
MBspecialist, which shop are you at?
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 290
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From: Atlanta
2002 G500, 2007 CLS 550, 2018 GLC 300
A follow-up to this thread; I solved the transmission issue by performing the "sneaky ecu reset". Since the reset, the shifting has been flawless and rapid, both cold and hot.
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From: Dallas
E500, 3000GT and 3000GT VR-4, 335i
I had a similar odd issue today with my transmission today too. Tried searching but couldn't find anything.
I have a 2004 E500 with about 90K on the clock. I was driving to work and all was fine, but when I took a right turn and tried to accelerate, it felt as if I was in the wrong gear. I wasn't getting proper acceleration. Afterwards, when I was at a stop and began to accelerate, it had the hardest time getting going. Once I reached about 40, it felt fine again.
My instrument cluster said "D", and I hadn't been playing with the automanual. When I stopped again, I clicked the shifter down and it showed "5" although I was at a dead stop. Did the car just happen to get stuck in 5th gear? I shifted it back to D and full automatic mode, but it kept doing it. I pulled over to a safe parking lot and turned the car off and back on, and it was suddenly gone. Was this just a freak occurence of the car getting stuck in gear and how could that have happened?
I have a 2004 E500 with about 90K on the clock. I was driving to work and all was fine, but when I took a right turn and tried to accelerate, it felt as if I was in the wrong gear. I wasn't getting proper acceleration. Afterwards, when I was at a stop and began to accelerate, it had the hardest time getting going. Once I reached about 40, it felt fine again.
My instrument cluster said "D", and I hadn't been playing with the automanual. When I stopped again, I clicked the shifter down and it showed "5" although I was at a dead stop. Did the car just happen to get stuck in 5th gear? I shifted it back to D and full automatic mode, but it kept doing it. I pulled over to a safe parking lot and turned the car off and back on, and it was suddenly gone. Was this just a freak occurence of the car getting stuck in gear and how could that have happened?
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From: Pennsylvania
2003 E500
I....My instrument cluster said "D", ...I clicked the shifter down and it showed "5" although I was at a dead stop. Did the car just happen to get stuck in 5th gear? I shifted it back to D and full automatic mode, but it kept doing it. I pulled over to a safe parking lot and turned the car off and back on, and it was suddenly gone. Was this just a freak occurence of the car getting stuck in gear and how could that have happened?
As for your glycol contamination concerns; if you have not had any issues at 70k miles you most likely do not have a faulty radiator. This issue generally occurs (well) before the 50k mile mark. Most of us wish it was a recall item, but it was not.....
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Mercedes e500
Duluth ga Mercedes need work
Me Send contact number have a 2003 Mercedes e500 transmission duluth ga
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E240 -2003 E55 AMG -2005
Not true flushed my ATF with non MB fluid and the tranny shifts without any issues and has done so for the past two years.
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2003 E55 AMG
I have had the same issue since new and MB's answer was could not duplicate. Mine would happen when accelerating and then dunderhead pulled out in front of me and I had quickly let off the gas. Then it went into N with the selector in D and only stopping turn off, restart then drive away would get it back to normal. Now at 110,000 miles it is still going. What's the issue? I don't know either but now when I acclerate make sure I don't immediately dump the gas.
