My '99 E300TD has been acting up lately. I noticed when exiting from a parking lot, the engine would rev at a high rate, but the car wouldn't move for a few seconds, then suddenly it would lurch forward. This would only happen a low speed (first gear) and not very often. I took it to the dealer who replaced the transmission (under warranty), but now it's doing the same thing again!! The transmission was replaced about 6 months ago. The car is still under warranty because I purchased Mercedes Premium Extended Warranty when I bought the car in 1999. Has anyone experienced this problem? What may be causing it?

 

I am by no means a transmission expert, not even close, but the first thing that I would suspect is a transmission fluid problem, either overfilled, or under-filled.

You mentioned that the fluid is OK, and I am assuming that you did check the fluid with the engine running, the car was on level ground, the engine at operating temperature, and that the right transmission fluid was used. If so, than just be thankful that your car is under warranty.

Please let us now what the problem was


Phil

 

I believe your transmission is a sealed transmission and there is no dip stick to check fluid. With these newer MB transmissions, you are at the mercy of the dealership. The do-it-yourself maintenance as with the case of older MB trannies, is a thing of the past!

 

Bob, you are correct, the transmission is sealed (no dipstick). For now I intend to just keep driving it. Don't want to go back to dealer and have them keep the car for 2 weeks like the last time.

 

Those symptoms are very typical for 80's models.
I used to own 83, 300tdt model and it had the occasional transmission slippage between 1 st and 2nd when I bought it. I drove over 30,000 miles on it and sold it with it. Just learned, that when slippage starts, back off the gas, let it shift and then push the gas again.
You have to notice, that automatic transmissions, cruise control, AC and cup holders are made by Mercedes for US market only. Germans don't buy those gadgets. ... Maybe with the exception of AC for rich.

 

I wouldn't keep driving it unless I wanted trouble somewhere down the line...but since this is happening while the car is moving it wouldn't happen to be the idle control valve? Maybe not...I don't know.