W124 Auto 5 speed when cold

[nothantsw124]

i have just read on another post that when cold the W124 autos are slow to change up (3000rpm quoted) in order to speed up the engine warming process, sorry cant find the post to link , is this correct?

when i start my car both first thing in the morning and in the evening after work she always seems to hang onto 2nd (the gear she starts in )for longer than i would expect, this only happens for the first shift , once she has shifted into 3rd she is fine from then on , i never really accelerate hard when she is cold just allow the revs to build , im not talking miles in 2nd just a bit longer that i would expect before the first change, any thoughts?

 

[Mercedes cozy]

I also have a mercedes 300ce 24v 1991 with a 5 speed auto gearbox and mine does the same thing. I have been told that the gearbox needs to warm up first.

 

[Rod Adams]

I've a 124 E320 coupe with a four speed auto which does the same. Sounds like a theme emerging...

Cheers,

Rod.

 

[kth286]

All

If you read your manuals you will see it is by design, to warm the cat quickly to reduce emissions. 4 and 5 speed the same proceedure.

Regards

 

[PJH]

It should only take a 1/4 mile to warm the cat up, even on a cold day.
My car changes 1/2 @ 2,500 and 2/3 @ 3,000.

 

[Birdman]

And in warming up the cat quickly it prolongs its life, or so I was assured.
Had the same thing in my straight six W210 so probably engine-related. No such characteristic with the M113.983 motor I now have.

 

[nothantsw124]

All

If you read your manuals you will see it is by design, to warm the cat quickly to reduce emissions. 4 and 5 speed the same proceedure.

Regards

checked my owners manual nothing in there ?

 

[imadoofus]

checked my owners manual nothing in there ?

Nevertheless, it is supposed to do it. Don't worry.

PJ

 

[R3ch]

mine does the same. it seems lazy to change for second and third gear but after that everything goes back to normal. mine is a w202.

 

[jgevers]

Although I am not sure, I would expect the 'problem' is the ATF temperature. When cold the ATF is slightly thicker and will probably result in a slightly higher pressure. Higher pressure normally means that the gearbox will hold onto gears a bit longer. Changing to a high quality, synthetic ATF like Red Line might make a difference...........

 

[andy_k]

Although I am not sure, I would expect the 'problem' is the ATF temperature. When cold the ATF is slightly thicker and will probably result in a slightly higher pressure. Higher pressure normally means that the gearbox will hold onto gears a bit longer. Changing to a high quality, synthetic ATF like Red Line might make a difference...........

or you could try disconnecting that gold coloured solenoid on the near side of the gearbox which is there to control cold changes until the gearbox gets up to a certain temperature.

That won't do any good either but it's cheaper than changing the fluid when it sounds like the box is fine

Mine holds off on the first gearchange for what seems like an age (in fact it's about 30 seconds driving) and in that time will rev to about 3000 (maybe just over) without changing up even with little or no throttle pressure. Once it's made it's first change then everything goes back to "normal".

As others have stated this is exactly how the box is designed to work - don't panic

Andy

 

[kth286]

northantsw124

Has your car got a cat ??????

If not, then not applicable.

Regards

 

[nothantsw124]

Hi Kth286, yes it has a cat unfortunately

 

[bibamus]

My W202 does the same. The Owners Manual states:-

" Shifting after a cold start. Upshifts after a cold start are accomplished at a higher engine speed than when the engine is at operating temperature. This allows the 3 way catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature more quickly"


Allan

 

[nothantsw124]

thanks everyone , quick update , started her the other morning , faffed about for five mins , pulled off and she changed gear before the end of my street , so i can confirm its a warmy up thing not a gearbox problem thing . Thanks again for your advice.