Morganvalley

My 90 300DSE suddenly stopped shifting into 4th gear, also sometimes does not shift from 2nd to third, but can usually be made to shift (2 to 3) by stopping and restarting, A possible related issue - at the same time a catch developed when moving the shifter from drive to reverse but can be worked out by sliding the shifter back and forth through the forward gears a few times linkage appears ok - new bushing installed - Car has 260k mi but a factory rebuild trans was installed about 80k mi ago. No slippage is evident. Any thoughts? Thanks

124-Fan

Replace fluid and filter ! And see what happens.

cheers,

Morganvalley

This has already been done - Thanks

124-Fan

Yes ok. Just a thought.
-I would think your car has the good old 722.300-series transmission, where no electrics are involved, so to speak. Sounds like a stuck valve or something in your valve vody. Perhaps a bad governor. - The linkage might also be out of alignment somehow, since the shift lever is behaving this way.

Cheers,

BENZITCH

Sounds like shifter bushings.

Morganvalley

Benzitch; I have replaced external bushings, are there internal shift link bushings?
Does anyone have experience with "Importdrivetrain.com" manuals - parts - Additives?
I am pursuing the Idea of a faulty governor or stuck valve - can anyone give me info on gov location and service? Thanksfor your help to a newbie.

BENZITCH

Sorry I was referring to the external bushings.

jonnyoutram

this may sound silly because im still learning mechanics and didnt really understand what other ppl were talking about as i have not learned that much yet but i thought i might as well try and help...

my 1984 500 sec has a similar ish problem, today it would not start because of this... there apparently is a switch that determines when the car is in park or drive. my switch has been sticky and because the car thought it was still in drive when it was in park today it would not start.

i have had problems with the car holding low gears and not changing up even tonight, i changed the oil and filter... defo needed but didnt really help.

when i got the car started today it was from pushing the gear lever to the top right and wiggling it, this i suppose frees the switch a bit and then it started.

tonight when it was not changing up past second i stopped and wiggled it up to the top left part of park, then put it back into drive and it solved the problem,

just a thought u might want to try that... sorry for the un professional explanation, hope it could help

Morganvalley

Still interested in experiece with importdrivetrains.com - manuals and parts.
I now suspect either the kick down control ( at the transmission, switch at accelerator is disconected) or governor, any info on gov would be appreciated
thanks
Jim

jhodg5kc

You can also disconnect the electronic kick down on the pass. rear of the trans..single pole connection.

I'm wagering you have something stuck in your valve body..does the car even attempt a shift or does it just sit in 3rd no matter what you do?

Does fluid temp have any effect, ie, more likely to work when cold?

Jonathan

Morganvalley

Starts in 2nd then uasally shifts to 3d on rare occasions it suddenly kicks down to 1st - makes for an interesting experience - Hot cold no difference,
if it dosn't shift from 2nd to 3d can usually be made to ny coming to a stop and restarting. I will try Disconnecting the kickdown at the transmission Thanks. Jim