Mercedes-Benz Forum banner
Cancel

Cold Transmission Shifting Issue

1441 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  atif7x7, 
C
My 97 E420 with 158k on the odometer has issues shifting normally/smoothly when cold. Works fine when it warms up. By cold I mean Arizona cold not Green Bay cold. The shifting is a little jerky primarily for the 1-2 upshift and surges a bit until warm. I've started placing it in winter mode to avoid 1st until it warms up.

I am also wondering if the issue is maybe related to the e-throttle, but that is an electronic device and so doesn't warm up like the transmission does.

The fluid is correct and recent [less than 2k miles]. I haven't checked the level too recently though and plan to do that when I get home from work this evening. That's 18 miles traffic so it ought to be warmed up to 80c. I'll check the temp with my IR thermometer and see where it is level wise.

Odd? Common?

thanks
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 4 of 9 Posts
C
Fluid is very low. At operating temp, it just barely touches the bottom of the dipstick tool. What's the difference in fluid qty from the bottom of the tool to the 80c operating range?
thx
todd
97 e420
Reply
Save
Like
C
I had a half lt left from my trans service a year ago. Dropped it in this morning. Shifts great now, even cold. Still low though so I need to get another lt and recheck. The issue may be a leak [don't know], but a year ago I had all the fluid exchanged by an MB indie [8-9 lt]. Then I had the pressure regulating spring replaced by another indie to fix a 2-3 upshift slipping prob, which that fixed. There was some loss in that operation which the shop suggested I follow up on - I apparently forgot to. I expect it was low from that service. I've been driving around for a couple k miles now pretty low on fluid. :(

thanks
todd
97 e420
Reply
Save
Like
C
Greg's on the mark; there is a leak. I put 1.5 lt in at it is just half way up the stick [between 25c and 80c ranges]. ATF on the floor . . .

Is there a common leak point I should start looking at?

thx
todd
97 e420
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 4 of 9 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Mercedes-Benz Forum
BenzWorld.org forum is one of the largest Mercedes-Benz owner websites offering the most comprehensive collection of Mercedes-Benz information anywhere in the world. The site includes MB Forums, News, Galleries, Publications, Classifieds, Events and much more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
W126 S,SE,SEC,SEL,SD,SDL Class R/C107 SL/SLC Class W163 M-Class W124 E,CE,D,TD Class W210 E-Class
Top