ML270. sometimes pulls away in 2nd

[mikeG82]

Hello,
So got a 2004 ML270, love it, such a lovely car to drive, had 2 months but two issues firstly the glow plug light stays on for around 30secs after starting, I assume glow plugs need replacing? Other issue is for first few miles gearbox is great, but sometimes it will try to pull away in 2nd, it will do it every time after that, if I turn it off and restart everything it reverts back to being fine. Any ideas? All advice greatly appreciated

 

[sonic]

I had a 2003 CLK270CDI same engine, yes you need new glow plugs. I seem to remember there are 2 auto gearbox selections on a rocker switch, one which the vehicle pulls away in second gear? I am sure there are others on here with more knowledge then me.

 

[Blobcat]

I had a 2003 CLK270CDI same engine, yes you need new glow plugs. I seem to remember there are 2 auto gearbox selections on a rocker switch, one which the vehicle pulls away in second gear? I am sure there are others on here with more knowledge then me.

Yes, W and S - W starts in second

 

[mikeG82]

Yes, W and S - W starts in second

Thanks, sorry I’m a bit new to all of this, is there a way to stop it happening? And is it going to cause any damage or is it ok?

 

[grahamcol]

It won't cause any damage. I used to use my C280 in W mode constantly without any issues.
However l think the op is saying that the car somehow changes to what appears to be S mode by itself. That is not how the car should operate and it probably needs further investigation.

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks, sorry I’m a bit new to all of this, is there a way to stop it happening? And is it going to cause any damage or is it ok?

Starting in second isn't an issue and is better in poor weather and low traction conditions. Switch it to S if you want to start in first

 

[onefortheroad]

It was an option for winter driving,to stop wheel spin. You should have a button to flick it off ,maybe a picture of a snowflake.

 

[mikeG82]

Hello,
So got a 2004 ML270, love it, such a lovely car to drive, had 2 months but two issues firstly the glow plug light stays on for around 30secs after starting, I assume glow plugs need replacing? Other issue is for first few miles gearbox is great, but sometimes it will try to pull away in 2nd, it will do it every time after that, if I turn it off and restart everything it reverts back to being fine. Any ideas? All advice greatly appreciated

Ok.. so I don’t have the snowflake button, slightly concerned today is it seems to be holding gears, like it’s stuck in 3rd or 4th with high revs, but will revert back to 1st to pull away but again stuck in 3rd and high revs.

 

[onefortheroad]

Ok.. so I don’t have the snowflake button, slightly concerned today is it seems to be holding gears, like it’s stuck in 3rd or 4th with high revs, but will revert back to 1st to pull away but again stuck in 3rd and high revs.

Maybe time for an oil change and flush.

 

[mioba]

2004 - sealed from service shedule gbox

Get the box serviced.

A glow plug has probably died. On my 2004 W220 a glow plug died a couple of years ago, so probably is a plug. Make sure your mechanic or you are not ham fisted - 18 year old plugs you don't want snapping. tighten loosen, tighten loosen, tighten loosen. Get the engine nice and hot. Depending where the seal sits. plus gas them every day for a week before attempting to get them changed.

Change them all.

 

[mioba]

oh and dont buy cheap as glow plugs. Bosch or Beru - also ask MB

 

[V6Matty]

Go with MB plugs, you will get the right ones then, I say this because there are two different voltages for the 270 and is dependent on the glow plug module fitted to the car on which ones are needed (I got it wrong years ago so had to fork out twice)

 

[horatio]

2004 - sealed from service shedule gbox

Get the box serviced.

A glow plug has probably died. On my 2004 W220 a glow plug died a couple of years ago, so probably is a plug. Make sure your mechanic or you are not ham fisted - 18 year old plugs you don't want snapping. tighten loosen, tighten loosen, tighten loosen. Get the engine nice and hot. Depending where the seal sits. plus gas them every day for a week before attempting to get them changed.

Change them all.

Good advice here. I replaced my 270’s originals recently - as above soak in plus gas long before the job, have the engine warm and gently remove with a torque wrench. If you hit the tightening torque and it’s not happening, soak for another week and try again.

If it’s really not happening, pay someone with specialist tools to do it. Don’t let a random back street mechanic near them!

 

[mikeG82]

Hello,
So got a 2004 ML270, love it, such a lovely car to drive, had 2 months but two issues firstly the glow plug light stays on for around 30secs after starting, I assume glow plugs need replacing? Other issue is for first few miles gearbox is great, but sometimes it will try to pull away in 2nd, it will do it every time after that, if I turn it off and restart everything it reverts back to being fine. Any ideas? All advice greatly appreciated

So not good news the speed sensor is also showing as a fault, garage says many hours to sort, almost not worth the cost :-(

 

[Botus]

Yes, W and S - W starts in second

S stands for impatient fool that thinks he drives fast
W stands for grown up's that keep getting stuck behind multiple fools in S

its not the box that makes the car faster or better, it's the driver - its more to fiddle emission regs / the odd alpine mega slope than for normal drivers
on my 335d S gave up using first (as it was only for the emissions fiddle) and was a faster better car if you gave up wasting your life with a snatchy short first it needed to change out of before it knew you'd opened the throttle to pull away

 

[LostKiwi]

Shouldn't be 'many hours' for a speed sensor.
Where are you based. We could possibly recommend a Merc independent specialist (aka indy) who knows these cars and can do it at a sensible price.

If you handy with spanners it's quite possible to DIY but you'll need to clear codes afterwards.

 

[mikeG82]

I’m in Reading Berkshire . Not that handy with spanners anymore:-/

 

[V6Matty]

Here you go Star in Reading and @star is a member here too,

 

[Botus]

star is a good place - great people, sensible pricing (from Caversham bridge... about a mile heading out on the way towards sonning, hang a right)