Dear friends,

I currently own 1998 E-320. I have observed couple times during the cold weather that the engine idles roughly (after 2 minute warm-ups). When it is about to be driven (transmission to D position) and the gas pedal is pushed, there is a split-second pause and the car is hesistant to move forward and the engine revs up. And suddenly it picks up the speed and lurks forward. This is a safety concern for me. However, when the engine is warmed up enough, the problem does not repeat itself. And I observed this only with a cold weather.

This is how I have observed it in my routine drive:
1. From the cold start in a cold weather, I let the engine warmed up for 2 minutes.
2. I start to drive the car and stop at a red light. Usually after several seconds sitting idle, the engine drops a 100 rpm and starts to idle roughly. I can feel the whole car shakes.
3. When the traffic light turns green, I push the gas pedal and the engine revs up and won't move for a split second and suddenly the engive revs higher and the car literally jumps forward very fast.

I brought the car to a MB dealer several weeks ago and they replaced a crankshaft angle sensor (?). But this still doesn't resolve the problem.

Does anyone have this experience before or know the source of the problem? The dealer wants to run another diagnosis and a couple hundred bucks from me. I think it is ridiculuous. They probably want to rip me off.

Please your advice. I will really appreciate it very much. Thank you.

Sincerely,
sdjumin

Yea... I think they should work on it for free. After all, you of course do. (work for free)

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

A few comments:
Possible engine control module, we have seen a few with complaints similar to this one, where the mixture is driven too lean on cold start-ups. Any check engine light as a result of the poor performance?
Engine coolant temp sensor, but it would be rare.
Mass air flow sensor, but again it should set a code and check engine light.
Going to have to get the computer checked for codes, and if nothing there, maybe leave it a few days so they can get it to happen and hopefully discover the cause. if the check engine light is coming on, shouldn't be too hard to nail down a cause.
Gilly
(Yes, we all expect to get paid, NO we aren't all out to rip people off. Honest pay for honest work)

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I had this problem with my '94 E320. A mechanic adviced me to replace all the ignition wires. It costs me $154.00 per set. The problem goes away. Maybe you can try it on your car. I had 114000 miles on it.

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it.

To gillybenztech, my apology if I sound like generalizing all technicians are out there to rip off people. I was just a bit update with my current dealer. They charged me more than $100.00 to replace a fuse for my cigar lighter to work again. They claimed that they had to clean up the cigar lighter. I know it's definitely a fuse because I tried it before I brought it to the dealer.