Cold starting problems 1998 C200

[damonp1]

I havent had the car for long but Im beginning to wonder if there is a problem. I know that MB make the car rev at higher levels from cold to warm up the cat. However, I think I have a problem.

From cold in either W or S setting on the box, the car will not change up from either first in S setting or, 2nd in W setting. The engine is screaming up to about 3500 - 4000 revs and sticking there, i.e. not changing up. The temperature guage has to have moved in to the dial at least a quarter before the car will even attempt to change up. When I depress the accelarator with a little more pressure the car will change up but only reluctantly, i.e. it plonks or should I say, falls into gear instead of changing smoothly. When the car is warm it is OK. With steady pressure on the accelarator it will change up from 1st to 4th in a matter of seconds on level ground. The gear changes are relatively smooth with slight dead spot, hesitation, between 3rd and 4th.

Has anyone any ideas or am I not doing something ?

Thanks for any help

 

[jaymanek]

yes it was like this on my E220 coupe. Its an electronic feature to warm the car up faster that you can have de programmed at the dealer. I never bothered, but yes it is v annoying.

 

[damonp1]

Cheers, thanks for that. I suppose I had better put up with it. I dont want to cock anything up.

 

[jaymanek]

wont really do it any harm to have it deprogrammed. The car is so much more nicer to drive when cold! And its only this range of engines that had this silly 'feature'

Jay

 

[damonp1]

I take it only a MB dealership could do it ? or would a merc specialist be able to do it. And, pardon my ignorance, how is it done ? Do they just plug the car into a machine or, do they remove something.

Cheers

 

[42636]

cold start problems

hello, I have a C200 as well (2003) coupe. Mine does the same thing and I must admit its (a) annoying and (b) seems completely at odds with what everyone ie owners, manufacturers, motoring experts say about giving the engine an easy time when cold. My ask is can the newer enigine be reprogrammed to stop this feature and what do I ask for?

 

[damonp1]

Totally agree David. It cant do the engine any good in the long run (i.e. high revs - cold engine).

I think I will go for the de-programming.

Damon

 

[grasmere]

Let us know how you go with the de-programming please.

What did it cost, what did they do (deprogramme or remove a cable! )
and most importantly - how does it drive afterwards

good luck

Ian