SL/R129: Two Transmission Problems
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
1997 SL500 AMG
Two Transmission Problems
I have a 1997 SL500 with 130K.
I drained the trans oil pan, refilled same amount, replaced electrical connector adapter, checked fluid level, quickly cycled through gears once (60 seconds altogether). As was shifting back up from 1 to P, around D I smelled burnt ATF and shifting from R to P was not smooth and once in P again shifter got stuck won't move. Checked under car. Oil leaking from bushing which was not seated correctly/not pushed in far enough. Reseated bushing correctly, redrained pan and dropped it to check for signs of damage. No metal bits or anything else just really burnt oil. Drained torque converter (9 litres in total removed). Cleaned pan, replaced filter, gasket and pressure regulating spring. Pan back on.
Could the incorrectly seated electrical connector adapter, which seems to have begun leaking right before shifter stuck, bave caused the shifter to stick in park because trans lost contact with TCM and shifter?
Shift lock mechanism coincidentally went bad?
I have yet to refill--waiting for ATF shipment delayed by protests--so I can drop pan again but don't know what to look for.
Any thoughts appreciated.
I drained the trans oil pan, refilled same amount, replaced electrical connector adapter, checked fluid level, quickly cycled through gears once (60 seconds altogether). As was shifting back up from 1 to P, around D I smelled burnt ATF and shifting from R to P was not smooth and once in P again shifter got stuck won't move. Checked under car. Oil leaking from bushing which was not seated correctly/not pushed in far enough. Reseated bushing correctly, redrained pan and dropped it to check for signs of damage. No metal bits or anything else just really burnt oil. Drained torque converter (9 litres in total removed). Cleaned pan, replaced filter, gasket and pressure regulating spring. Pan back on.
Could the incorrectly seated electrical connector adapter, which seems to have begun leaking right before shifter stuck, bave caused the shifter to stick in park because trans lost contact with TCM and shifter?
Shift lock mechanism coincidentally went bad?
I have yet to refill--waiting for ATF shipment delayed by protests--so I can drop pan again but don't know what to look for.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Last edited by wahnsinn; Jun 7, 2020 at 04:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
1997 SL500 AMG
i have consulted him on several occasions and he has been helpful. some of my issues resolved themselves--the shifter is not stuck, the mysterious clicking turned out to be unrelated to the transmission. thanks for your reply.
