04' Transmission Pops out of Reverse
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2004 W211 E320
04' Transmission Pops out of Reverse
My wife and I just purchased a 2004 E320 from a reputable cadillac/lexus dealer with 29k miles. I noticed how the transmission would kick if you weren't at a 100% stop and on the brakes, but I chocked that up to normal after reading numerous threads.
Then, as my wife dropped the baby off at daycare, she went to back down the driveway and the car popped out of reverse and into neutral. This is easily replicable, and the dealer who supplied us with a 6Mo/6000mi warranty is currently getting approval to sublet it to the local MB dealer here in Bakersfield, CA.
Anyone else have this issue? Any thing I should be alarmed at?
I've heard the nightmares about the SBS system taking a huge, flaming defecation at some point, so I'm wondering what else I should try and get the MB dealer to look at while it's still under warranty. I know that the 10-yr warranty on the SBS is quickly coming to a close on my 04.
I knew I'd encounter issues when buying a MBZ, they're not cheap cars to maintain, but at $18k with 29k miles, I figured I wasn't risking too much.
Thanks in advance,
Brad
Then, as my wife dropped the baby off at daycare, she went to back down the driveway and the car popped out of reverse and into neutral. This is easily replicable, and the dealer who supplied us with a 6Mo/6000mi warranty is currently getting approval to sublet it to the local MB dealer here in Bakersfield, CA.
Anyone else have this issue? Any thing I should be alarmed at?
I've heard the nightmares about the SBS system taking a huge, flaming defecation at some point, so I'm wondering what else I should try and get the MB dealer to look at while it's still under warranty. I know that the 10-yr warranty on the SBS is quickly coming to a close on my 04.
I knew I'd encounter issues when buying a MBZ, they're not cheap cars to maintain, but at $18k with 29k miles, I figured I wasn't risking too much.
Thanks in advance,
Brad
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
Likes: 4
From: PA, USA
2004 E320 4matic Sedan
Some ideas
Numbered for easy reference:
- Your car has very low miles for its age. That is mostly a good thing, but it can sometimes mean it will be overdue for fluid changes if the previous owner ran the maintenance schedule strictly by miles and not by miles and years. So, consider a brake fluid change and a transmission fluid and transmission filter change.This may apply to every type of fluid in the vehicle, including the diff.
- Actually, have the brake fluid changed at a dealer and have them check that you have all service bulletins and patches for the SBC unit itself (It's not an "SBS") and SBC software applied/taken care of. This is done at a dealer so that if there is an issue with the SBC you are more likely to get it noticed and actually fixed before the 10 year point
- Given the issue you have with the transmission, it is likely to get new fluid anyway when they fix it. Be sure to ask for a new filter at the same time. They cost very, very little ($16?) so pay for it if you have to
- Also get a new electrical connector for the transmission it at the same time. They can have issues with leaking. (There's a thread on this.) They are about $6
- Before Winter, try your heater and check that it works well. You may have an old control valve for the water that is sticky and makes it stay cold. These are electromechanical and tend to rust and fail. There is a sticky thread on how to change it to a newer, improved, part number. In fact, test it now while you are under warranty and you may get it changed for free if it is sticky. To test in Summer, just turn the temp all the way up and check you get hot air. Do this several times on different days if it initially seems good.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
My wife and I just purchased a 2004 E320 from a reputable cadillac/lexus dealer with 29k miles. I noticed how the transmission would kick if you weren't at a 100% stop and on the brakes, but I chocked that up to normal after reading numerous threads.
Then, as my wife dropped the baby off at daycare, she went to back down the driveway and the car popped out of reverse and into neutral. This is easily replicable, and the dealer who supplied us with a 6Mo/6000mi warranty is currently getting approval to sublet it to the local MB dealer here in Bakersfield, CA.
Anyone else have this issue? Any thing I should be alarmed at?
I've heard the nightmares about the SBS system taking a huge, flaming defecation at some point, so I'm wondering what else I should try and get the MB dealer to look at while it's still under warranty. I know that the 10-yr warranty on the SBS is quickly coming to a close on my 04.
I knew I'd encounter issues when buying a MBZ, they're not cheap cars to maintain, but at $18k with 29k miles, I figured I wasn't risking too much.
Thanks in advance,
Brad
Then, as my wife dropped the baby off at daycare, she went to back down the driveway and the car popped out of reverse and into neutral. This is easily replicable, and the dealer who supplied us with a 6Mo/6000mi warranty is currently getting approval to sublet it to the local MB dealer here in Bakersfield, CA.
Anyone else have this issue? Any thing I should be alarmed at?
I've heard the nightmares about the SBS system taking a huge, flaming defecation at some point, so I'm wondering what else I should try and get the MB dealer to look at while it's still under warranty. I know that the 10-yr warranty on the SBS is quickly coming to a close on my 04.
I knew I'd encounter issues when buying a MBZ, they're not cheap cars to maintain, but at $18k with 29k miles, I figured I wasn't risking too much.
Thanks in advance,
Brad
Airmatic suspension failures are subject to rubber aging and not as much on miles. Your car is 9 yrs old and I suspect you will have to replace air strut or rear air spring in the near future. But again this is an aging function and like a tire getting old. It works until it fails so you probably can't predict when you will have a failure.
IF it all works drive and enjoy the car.
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
Likes: 4
From: PA, USA
2004 E320 4matic Sedan
It's an E320. So probably a conventional, non-Airmatic suspension
The SBC is like a light bulb, it works then quits so it is difficult to check and be sure it's ok.
Airmatic suspension failures are subject to rubber aging and not as much on miles. Your car is 9 yrs old and I suspect you will have to replace air strut or rear air spring in the near future. But again this is an aging function and like a tire getting old. It works until it fails so you probably can't predict when you will have a failure.
IF it all works drive and enjoy the car.
Airmatic suspension failures are subject to rubber aging and not as much on miles. Your car is 9 yrs old and I suspect you will have to replace air strut or rear air spring in the near future. But again this is an aging function and like a tire getting old. It works until it fails so you probably can't predict when you will have a failure.
IF it all works drive and enjoy the car.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2004 W211 E320
Sadly, after several trips to the selling dealer and a few trips to the local MB dealer, the car never threw a code, so no one was willing to take it any further. Sadly, after a month, we returned the car to the selling dealer and ended up with a different vehicle. Thank you for your insights!
