Transmission Problems
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 622
Likes: 3
S500
Transmission Problems
The 94 E320 I picked up for my wife to drive all of a sudden doesn't want to shift past 2nd. From a stand still it shifts from 1st to 2nd okay, but it doesn't want to get into 3rd.
Any ideas?
I checked the oil level - its good.
color and smell it good too.
Shift into reverse no problem no delay, the same when its put into "D"
Any ideas?
I checked the oil level - its good.
color and smell it good too.
Shift into reverse no problem no delay, the same when its put into "D"
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
The 94 E320 I picked up for my wife to drive all of a sudden doesn't want to shift past 2nd. From a stand still it shifts from 1st to 2nd okay, but it doesn't want to get into 3rd.
Any ideas?
I checked the oil level - its good.
color and smell it good too.
Shift into reverse no problem no delay, the same when its put into "D"
Any ideas?
I checked the oil level - its good.
color and smell it good too.
Shift into reverse no problem no delay, the same when its put into "D"
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
I would also check the bowden cable attached to the throttle linkage (going down to the transmission) and make sure it moves freely when the throttle is opened. If it is not retracting fully it might cause that problem. The position of this cable is what determines the shift point.
General info: The shift pressure (how firm it shifts) is determined by the vacuum modulator so that is not your problem. These transmissions were controlled by the old-school mechanical cable and vacuum modulator method. It's simple and effective. There is also a cold upshift delay controlled by a small vacuum valve on the left fender well that makes it upshift at higher RPMs when cold to get the catalytic converter warmed up faster and reduce emissions.
General info: The shift pressure (how firm it shifts) is determined by the vacuum modulator so that is not your problem. These transmissions were controlled by the old-school mechanical cable and vacuum modulator method. It's simple and effective. There is also a cold upshift delay controlled by a small vacuum valve on the left fender well that makes it upshift at higher RPMs when cold to get the catalytic converter warmed up faster and reduce emissions.
