190E (W201) 1982-1993: 190E 2.3, 190E 2.6, 190E 2.3-16, 190E 2.5-16, 190 D 2.2, 190 D 2.5, 190 D 2.5 TURBO, 190E 2.5-16 Evolution I, 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II

Transmission Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 9, 2005 | 07:06 PM
  #1  
MaciekPL87's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Homestead, FL (Miami)
'92 190E 2.6
Transmission Problems

Hello,

I had my modulator changed a couple of days ago.

The transmission slips when the engine is hot, meaning not all the power goes from the engine to the rear wheels. When I floor it to the kick-down swich the torque converter? "grabs" and there's instant acceleration. What's causing this the slipping to happen during gradual acceleration.

Also, when I was driving without the modulator the slipping was was more pronounced so I drained some ATF because there was too much showing on the dip stick, that didn't make slipping go away, instead raised shift-points to too-high, I have to let the foot off the gas almost all the way to upshift. I than added back some fluid but nothing changed. Does the modulator affect shift points? I turned the key on the modulator one notch to the left to make shifts a little smoother.

I had fluid and filter changed about 6 thousand miles ago. All help is appreciated. Thanks

Car has 109k miles.

Maciej
'92 190E 2.6
Reply
Old May 9, 2005 | 09:08 PM
  #2  
dbenz's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
1985 190E 2.3
Replace the vacuum hose that goes from the intake to the modulator and see if helps. Also, when you replace the modulator, it must be able to hold atleast 14 inches of vacuum. You can test it with a hand held vacuum pump attached to the vacuum hose fitting. Also, try adjusting the transmission control cable and see if its helps.
Reply
Old May 12, 2005 | 03:26 AM
  #3  
MaciekPL87's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Homestead, FL (Miami)
'92 190E 2.6
Transmission and Idle

Thanks for the advice.

The hose to the modulator is good, and the modulator holds up to 30 inches of pressure (that's how far the meter goes).

I got instructions on adjusting the Bowden cable and the whole mechanism so maybe that will help out.

I noticed that when my cars idle fluctuated crazy at start up it was because the micro switch (fuel cut-off) wasn't activated at idle so my mechanic adjusted the cable for the switch no to have contact with the accelerator bracket. Can that switch be messing things up?

After cleaning the electric idle valve the car will now idle 1.5 to 2k for a couple of seconds at start up and than fall to .9k and sometimes fall to .4k just like it did before. My hose to the atmosphere is splitting so there is stuff going into the valve but I cleaned it....

There is no pressure when I open the gas cap. That started happening after the distributor was taken apart and put back together by my mechanic after I turned out the mixture screw all the way loosing the preload of the spring.

Last resort for the transmission is changing out the AT fluid again.

Please give me any tips, advice. I'm trying to sell the car.

Thanks

Maciej
'92 190E 2.6
Reply
Old May 12, 2005 | 08:14 PM
  #4  
dbenz's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
1985 190E 2.3
Originally Posted by MaciekPL87

I noticed that when my cars idle fluctuated crazy at start up it was because the micro switch (fuel cut-off) wasn't activated at idle so my mechanic adjusted the cable for the switch no to have contact with the accelerator bracket. Can that switch be messing things up?

After cleaning the electric idle valve the car will now idle 1.5 to 2k for a couple of seconds at start up and than fall to .9k and sometimes fall to .4k just like it did before. My hose to the atmosphere is splitting so there is stuff going into the valve but I cleaned it....

There is no pressure when I open the gas cap. That started happening after the distributor was taken apart and put back together by my mechanic after I turned out the mixture screw all the way loosing the preload of the spring.

Last resort for the transmission is changing out the AT fluid again.

Please give me any tips, advice. I'm trying to sell the car.

Thanks

Maciej
'92 190E 2.6
The throttle plate should rest against the microswitch without any given throttle. Check your vacuum hoses for leaks that go to the air intake assembly.
Reply
Old May 12, 2005 | 08:46 PM
  #5  
MaciekPL87's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Homestead, FL (Miami)
'92 190E 2.6
I adjusted the throttle linkage today and the plate rests on the switch, but the engine starts fluctuating heavily at start-up so I unplugged the idle valve and it starts up perfect (at least when hot). I tried to clean it with carb cleaner again but that didn't help. Something electrical?

There's the hose that goes into the vent tube which goes from a valve in front of the intake bowl placed transversally. The two hoses than go from electrical units on the engine side of the firewall on the passenger side. I tried to check all the ones I see and they all look fine.

Maciej
'92 190E 2.6
Reply
Old May 13, 2005 | 07:24 PM
  #6  
dbenz's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
1985 190E 2.3
If your having start up problems or idle problems or it fluctuates like you said. Its not transmission related. Its engine related, probably something with the fuel or maybe something needs to be adjusted. I cant really help you on that one.
Reply
Old May 13, 2005 | 08:02 PM
  #7  
MaciekPL87's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Homestead, FL (Miami)
'92 190E 2.6
Well, with the idle switch disconnected it starts perfectly hot or cold.

I was thinking about the slipping some more, and it might be hoses that weren't correctly connected after engine rebuilt but everything is fine and the car hauls *** when engine cold so can it be that the coolant clogged the catalytic converter, and when it heats up it just blocks the exhaust....

Anyway the problem is probably not as much tranny related since the shifts are very good and quick, maybe torque converter or exhaust restriction, I'm out of all possible possiblities from my knowledge.

What do you think.... might be the cat?

Maciej
'92 190E 2.6
Reply
Old May 14, 2005 | 11:26 PM
  #8  
dbenz's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
1985 190E 2.3
Originally Posted by MaciekPL87

What do you think.... might be the cat?

Maciej
'92 190E 2.6
Could be the cat. Im not sure how you could check it to see if its clogged other than removing it. Your trans fluid level could be off and cause slippage also.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:14 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE