pfug 300td

When temp is below 40 degrees in the morning, my E320 always starts out in 2nd gear and will not shift automatically--can run all the way to redline (not that I'd do that on a cold engine, but want to point out this is not the "heat up the catalytic converter" mode). I have to shift up to 3rd and 4th manually, and when I come to a stop I have to downshift to 3rd and then 2nd. After I've driven about 15 minutes I can put the selector in "D" and it will work normally, including going into 5th gear, or 1st gear, for that matter.

An interesting point: I've discovered when driving before it is light out that the selector does not light up "D" when the automatic shifting is not working.

Any thoughts, experience, or recommendations would be great and appreciated.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.