E 350 hesitation on cold engine start?
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
E 350 hesitation on cold engine start?
Esteemed Forum Members - help and feedback needed:
My 350 Sport has a hesitation in the transmission when I accelerate after starting the car from a cold start (when it has not been running for awhile)? It primarily happens between 1st and 2nd gear...very clunky. After a minute or two of driving it goes away, but I am beginning to wonder if my car has an issue?
Thanks in advance for any guidance on this issue.
My 350 Sport has a hesitation in the transmission when I accelerate after starting the car from a cold start (when it has not been running for awhile)? It primarily happens between 1st and 2nd gear...very clunky. After a minute or two of driving it goes away, but I am beginning to wonder if my car has an issue?
Thanks in advance for any guidance on this issue.
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2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Esteemed Forum Members - help and feedback needed:
My 350 Sport has a hesitation in the transmission when I accelerate after starting the car from a cold start (when it has not been running for awhile)? It primarily happens between 1st and 2nd gear...very clunky. After a minute or two of driving it goes away, but I am beginning to wonder if my car has an issue?
Thanks in advance for any guidance on this issue.
My 350 Sport has a hesitation in the transmission when I accelerate after starting the car from a cold start (when it has not been running for awhile)? It primarily happens between 1st and 2nd gear...very clunky. After a minute or two of driving it goes away, but I am beginning to wonder if my car has an issue?
Thanks in advance for any guidance on this issue.
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From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
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2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
There is an ECU update that affects the transmission shifts. I had it applied to "fix" a 4-5 shift issue and a hesitant 2-3 shift when starting up after the car had sat for a while. All went away after re-adapation of the transmission.
Last edited by HBerman; Oct 14, 2010 at 11:08 PM.
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
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2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Thread Starter
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
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Yes, happened even if the car a had been driven, but had sat for 10-15 minutes before restarting. Light throttle would get 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 shifts at 2300+ rpm. After 5 minutes or so, the same throttle application would yield shifts 1000 rpm lower. Very repeatable until I had the ECU update applied. Then, as the transmission re-adapted, the symptoms diminished. There were no codes recorded.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Yes, happened even if the car a had been driven, but had sat for 10-15 minutes before restarting. Light throttle would get 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 shifts at 2300+ rpm. After 5 minutes or so, the same throttle application would yield shifts 1000 rpm lower. Very repeatable until I had the ECU update applied. Then, as the transmission re-adapted, the symptoms diminished. There were no codes recorded.
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2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Here's the text from the work order:
CLIENT STATES VEHICLE HAS A HARD SHIFT, INTERMITTENTLY NOT SHIFTING OUT OF 4TH GEAR
CAUSE: ETC AND ME SOFTWARE UPDATE
540991 CONTROL UNIT - SOFTWARE (AFTER SHORT TEST),
INSTALL 3835WMB93
UPDATED S.W. TO LATEST S.W ON ME AND UPDATE SCN ON ETC. REROADTEST OK
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Actually, the shop foreman couldn't reproduce the problem on a test drive, but then he researched for updates and found that there was newer software for the engine control unit (ECU), but none for the transmission. After the update, we road tested the car again and the problem didn't reoccur.
Here's the text from the work order:
CLIENT STATES VEHICLE HAS A HARD SHIFT, INTERMITTENTLY NOT SHIFTING OUT OF 4TH GEAR
CAUSE: ETC AND ME SOFTWARE UPDATE
540991 CONTROL UNIT - SOFTWARE (AFTER SHORT TEST),
INSTALL 3835WMB93
UPDATED S.W. TO LATEST S.W ON ME AND UPDATE SCN ON ETC. REROADTEST OK
Here's the text from the work order:
CLIENT STATES VEHICLE HAS A HARD SHIFT, INTERMITTENTLY NOT SHIFTING OUT OF 4TH GEAR
CAUSE: ETC AND ME SOFTWARE UPDATE
540991 CONTROL UNIT - SOFTWARE (AFTER SHORT TEST),
INSTALL 3835WMB93
UPDATED S.W. TO LATEST S.W ON ME AND UPDATE SCN ON ETC. REROADTEST OK
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From: Massachusetts
E350 4matic
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. I have experienced exactly what you describe BPhilly.... hard shift between first and second but only when the car is cold and not run for a day or two. Smoothes out within a mile or two. No other gears were affected.
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
I just got off the phone with Mercedes. They said "they are aware of the problem and working on a fix, but don't have one yet". Meaning...they do not have a solution right now!!! "reckrab"...we are not alone. Can you say "recall"?
"HBerman" I hate to give you bad news, but the same person said they have also had issues on the 550 and the problem will come back (I hope for your sake they are wrong). Regardless, I have been a strong defender of the "brand" and other than this, really enjoy the car. I sure hope...they figure it out, or mine is going back.
PS...It happens in either Sport mode (where the car starts off between 1st and 2nd) or Economy mode (where the car actually starts out in 2nd and shifts to 3rd next). They are aware of this as well. My car is being picked up next Tuesday to be "looked at". Lemon Law in PA states you have to report the problem 3x to the manufacturer to qualify. I am now officially on record with #1. Truly disappointed.
"HBerman" I hate to give you bad news, but the same person said they have also had issues on the 550 and the problem will come back (I hope for your sake they are wrong). Regardless, I have been a strong defender of the "brand" and other than this, really enjoy the car. I sure hope...they figure it out, or mine is going back.
PS...It happens in either Sport mode (where the car starts off between 1st and 2nd) or Economy mode (where the car actually starts out in 2nd and shifts to 3rd next). They are aware of this as well. My car is being picked up next Tuesday to be "looked at". Lemon Law in PA states you have to report the problem 3x to the manufacturer to qualify. I am now officially on record with #1. Truly disappointed.
Last edited by BPhillyBenz; Oct 15, 2010 at 08:55 AM.
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2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
I just got off the phone with Mercedes. They said "they are aware of the problem and working on a fix, but don't have one yet". Meaning...they do not have a solution right now!!! "reckrab"...we are not alone. Can you say "recall"?
"HBerman" I hate to give you bad news, but the same person said they have also had issues on the 550 and the problem will come back (I hope for your sake they are wrong). Regardless, I have been a strong defender of the "brand" and other than this, really enjoy the car. I sure hope...they figure it out, or mine is going back.
PS...It happens in either Sport mode (where the car starts off between 1st and 2nd) or Economy mode (where the car actually starts out in 2nd and shifts to 3rd next). They are aware of this as well. My car is being picked up next Tuesday to be "looked at". Lemon Law in PA states you have to report the problem 3x to the manufacturer to qualify. I am now officially on record with #1. Truly disappointed.
"HBerman" I hate to give you bad news, but the same person said they have also had issues on the 550 and the problem will come back (I hope for your sake they are wrong). Regardless, I have been a strong defender of the "brand" and other than this, really enjoy the car. I sure hope...they figure it out, or mine is going back.
PS...It happens in either Sport mode (where the car starts off between 1st and 2nd) or Economy mode (where the car actually starts out in 2nd and shifts to 3rd next). They are aware of this as well. My car is being picked up next Tuesday to be "looked at". Lemon Law in PA states you have to report the problem 3x to the manufacturer to qualify. I am now officially on record with #1. Truly disappointed.
l
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From: Massachusetts
E350 4matic
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From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Regardless...it shouldnt be happening to a 60k car and who know how bad it will be at 60k miles? Hopefully it is an isolated case in just a few cars (doubt it) and they come up with a fix soon. I will let you know if I find anything else out...
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2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Just a small reality check here. The 7G transmission has been problematic on the 1-2 and 2-1 shifts for quite a number of years. I had at least 3 software updates performed on my '04 E500 before I let it go. My '05 C350 had similar issues and 2 software updates which never completely solved the "defect". I finally stopped using the "S" setting while using the car in town. My '08 C300 was ok, though. Now I've had one software update for a transmission issue that you previously stated isn't really fixed and that MB knows about the problem w/o a solution. Whatever the solution, it won't be a recall as it's not a safety defect. The solution will show up on a TSB. Oh boy!
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2008 E550
I have had the same transmission problem with my 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 since it was brand new. Been in over and over again and given the runaround each time.
I did have several engine and transmission software updates but they did not resolve the problem.
So glad I found this forum. I had no idea it was such a widespread problem. In fact, I was at the dealership today and I was asked to try to recreate the problem, as if it is a mysterious and isolated problem.
After 30 years of MB ownership and many fine models, I was as loyal a customer as a company could have. I had such a great passion for Mercedes cars. I am now left to question if today's Mercedes Benz deserves my trust and loyalty. I think I have my answer now.
I did have several engine and transmission software updates but they did not resolve the problem.
So glad I found this forum. I had no idea it was such a widespread problem. In fact, I was at the dealership today and I was asked to try to recreate the problem, as if it is a mysterious and isolated problem.
After 30 years of MB ownership and many fine models, I was as loyal a customer as a company could have. I had such a great passion for Mercedes cars. I am now left to question if today's Mercedes Benz deserves my trust and loyalty. I think I have my answer now.
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2007 E350
I have had the same transmission problem with my 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 since it was brand new. Been in over and over again and given the runaround each time.
I did have several engine and transmission software updates but they did not resolve the problem.
So glad I found this forum. I had no idea it was such a widespread problem. In fact, I was at the dealership today and I was asked to try to recreate the problem, as if it is a mysterious and isolated problem.
After 30 years of MB ownership and many fine models, I was as loyal a customer as a company could have. I had such a great passion for Mercedes cars. I am now left to question if today's Mercedes Benz deserves my trust and loyalty. I think I have my answer now.
I did have several engine and transmission software updates but they did not resolve the problem.
So glad I found this forum. I had no idea it was such a widespread problem. In fact, I was at the dealership today and I was asked to try to recreate the problem, as if it is a mysterious and isolated problem.
After 30 years of MB ownership and many fine models, I was as loyal a customer as a company could have. I had such a great passion for Mercedes cars. I am now left to question if today's Mercedes Benz deserves my trust and loyalty. I think I have my answer now.
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2010 E350
Do you warm up the car from cold start, i had a similar issue with tranny and i used to warmup the car until it reaches 60 C, I stopped warming the car and it works like a dream now. GL.
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2010 E350
Any luck fixing your car?
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Now, it's back again. Frustrating. It's always on a cold start and between the two first shifts (after that...its good all day).
Last edited by BPhillyBenz; Feb 14, 2011 at 11:25 PM.
