S-Class (W140) 1991-1999: 300 SD, S 350TD, 300 SE 2.8, S280, 300 SE 3.2, 300 SEL 3.2, S320, S320L, 400 SE, S420, 400 SEL, S420L, 500 SE, S500, 500 SEL, S500L, 600 SE, S600, 600 SEL, S600L, 500 SEC, 600 SEC

s320 with rpm going up and down + transmission problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2008 | 12:16 AM
  #1  
my_galaxy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
94 mercedes s320
s320 with rpm going up and down + transmission problem

guys i need ur help . just bought this car with some problems 94 s320

i changed air filter, oil, plugs
-when i start the car it works fine but after couple minutes rpm start going up & down, antifreeze leaks from over the oil pan could that be the reason

- transmission works fine in the city. but rpm goes quite high after 100kms seems like last gear doesnt change. is there a switch for overdrive or its a problem with the transmission?

-there are two switches one is beside shifter (one side is pictured man and otherside is dot) and second switch is pictured like tire on the front dashboard --->what are the functions of these. is there an online owner's manual for w140?

i would really appreciate ur help
thanks
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2008 | 10:01 AM
  #2  
Rod Spohn's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
Originally Posted by my_galaxy
guys i need ur help . just bought this car with some problems 94 s320

i changed air filter, oil, plugs
-when i start the car it works fine but after couple minutes rpm start going up & down, antifreeze leaks from over the oil pan could that be the reason

- transmission works fine in the city. but rpm goes quite high after 100kms seems like last gear doesnt change. is there a switch for overdrive or its a problem with the transmission?

-there are two switches one is beside shifter (one side is pictured man and otherside is dot) and second switch is pictured like tire on the front dashboard --->what are the functions of these. is there an online owner's manual for w140?

i would really appreciate ur help
thanks
I had the same issue with the RPM going "up & down". It was a fuel pressure regulator problem that was a quick easy fix. The high rev at freeway speed could be you put the shifter in the performance position. With the shifter in drive you will see it can be pushed to the left. You can feel it click into place, that’s the performance mode. So try just pulling it down just into the normal position and see if that helps
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 09:35 AM
  #3  
my_galaxy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
94 mercedes s320
thanks rod sphon
just wondering, did you consult with mb dealershipas well?. they are saying it has something to do with air. air is leaking from somewhere. was ur s320 was going up and down all the time or once in a while?
thanks
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2008 | 09:37 AM
  #4  
Rod Spohn's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
I didn't consult the dealer I tend to stay away from them. Find a good indy shop in your area & you'll save a bundle over a dealer. I do 95% of my oun repairs on the car but have an indy I have used and I will ask questions and then do work myself.
They are correct it could be an air leak, or at least a vaccum leak. You can do a back yard test for that by sprayig carb cleaner slowly at joints & conections of you vaccum lines. In a lot of cases if you are loosing vaccum it will suck the cleaner in and that will cause an rpm increase(like adding more gas). If you find a leak fix the air line. Remember these hard plastic air lines get brittle as they get old do to the heat under the hood. They can & will crack any place if they are touched. So check for cracks or breaks.
To check your fuel reg. just pull the Vaccum line off of it and smell for gas in the end of the line. The diaphram in the reg goes out allowing a small amout of gas into the vac line. If you smell gas my guess is its bad. As I recall the regulator was about $100 and easy to change. Hope that helps somehow.

What if anything did you figure out with the transmission?
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2008 | 06:43 PM
  #5  
my_galaxy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
94 mercedes s320
hi rod
thanks for your help. when i shift it to d it goes right into 4. it seems like the spring inside is shot from left side i am going to rip it apart tommorow and so and i will let you know. when car is cold and i drive, transmission change gears and little hight rpm is it normal? that luca s transmission lubrication is it any help?
i did put two fuel injector cleaners in half tank and luca s fuel injector in next tank and ran it off on highway with around 3500 rpm and now rpm doesnt go up and down much. i just bought telescope to hear any leakage. i never thought off ur way (thanks)

i would update once i find out around transmission
thanks
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2008 | 01:58 AM
  #6  
Rod Spohn's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
"when car is cold and i drive, transmission change gears and little hight rpm is it normal? that luca s transmission lubrication is it any help?"

To answer this question - the answer is yes, the transmission stays in a warmup mode for a short while until it warms up. This is to save your transmission. Don't push it. It only stays that was for a few minutes or a couple block. Usually by the time I get to the main road (maybe 1/4 mile) its warm and shifting the way you would expect.
I hope whatever it out of wack at the shifter is easy to fix.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2008 | 10:31 AM
  #7  
my_galaxy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
94 mercedes s320
yea thanks to all you helpful guys, this forum is swell
Reply

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 04:58 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE