Hi i have just bought this car recently, but when i start the car up from cold, it seems that it wont change out of second and holds back until the car gets up to speed it does not seem to do that when its warm is this normal.

 

You need a fluid change and the transmission adjusted.
ohlord

 

Thanks i will give it a go, i will let you know the out come.

Paul.

 

Your 4 speed auto in the 96 takes atf3 or atf4 and it can have the shift points modified.
ohlord
read all about it here.
http://w210.pietrzyk.net/transmission72234.htm

 

boy - I have wondered who makes that transmission...is it ZF? anyway..not that it is probably applicable but the 4 speed automatic on my 1990 300TE wouldn't shift properly from 1st to 2nd and then went to 3rd, it seemed, too quickly.
I could havesworn it was ohlord who posted about the control unit reset procedure toset the shift points back to factory specs (if the car had been driven in a 'stately manner')...anyway...I did it and it works! The car now shifts perfectly under my foot, I was concerned there was something internally wrong with the tranny but that was not the case. good luck...cliff

 

Hi Ohlord and Cliff, i took it to Mercedes and they re-programmed the softwarefor the gearbox, it works fine now, thanks for your help guys.

 

ohlord was right with his advise on turning the key to ignition and holding a accelerator pedal down for 15 seconds or whatever and then turningit off and waiting...I have the instructions in my glove box and IT WORKS. I have done it twice now..totally resets the transmission shift points...actually really works!!! my saludes to ohlord on that...