Hi all
I just got a 91 300D 2.5 turbo diesel that is in excelelent condition. The car has 295K miles on the odometer. Only problem is it won't shift out of firt gear. I disconnected the kickdown switch with no change. I plan to pull the pan tomorrow and service the trans. I also will pull the kickdown solenoid out and make sure it works freely. Is there anything else I can look at while the pan is off? The oil is not burned but it is slightly brown instead of bright red so it hasn't been serviced for a while.
Thanks for any advice.

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Did you ever find a resolution to this? I have a 90 190e that won't shift out of first gear...

Yes I did, and I should have posted a reply but I didn't because no one seemed interested in my problem. What I found was the gear that drives the governor (in the transmission) was broken. It is a plastic gear and it was broken in half. It is accessable from the left rear of the transmission. On my car I was able to remove the trans mount and then shift it as far as I could to the right side of the car and tie it there with a strap. Then look for the round cover (about 3 in in diameter as I remember). Then remove the snap ring that holds it in and carefully pry it out using a screw driver and the little hook they were kind enough to put on the cover. Be prepaired to catch a small amount of trans oil. Just grab the governor assemble you find and see if it will turn. If it does, then there is a snap ring behind the governor weiths that holds the governor in. Remove the governor assembly and check the white plastic gear. If this is the problem, this will be the cheapest fix you will likly have when a part is required from the dealer. The gear cost me less then $2 bucks. If the gear is good then the governor could have a piece of trash in it. It can be cleaned and reinstalled. Also there is an o-ring in the case that seals the cover. Go ahead and get one.
Let me know If any of this helps.

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Thanks! That's exactly the problem.
After reading your reply, I did some research and I was able to find the Mercedes technical bulliten for this.

It's listed under: AF27.30-U-3100BA
A/T - Transmission Does Not Shift Out of 1st Gear

The technical instructions listing is under:
"Removing and Installing Centrifugal Governor"

Thanks Again!

Jammin 190,
I also had another problem with the governor. I could start the car, put in reverse, put it in drive, drive it and everything seemed to be fine. Then when I stoped I couldn't put the trans in reverse or park unless I turned the engine off first. Then I could get it in Park. This turned out to be the governor hanging up. It turns out that MB built in a feature that if you are going over something like 15 mph (I haven't tried to find out the exact speed) you can't put it in reverse. This surely has saved quite a few transmissions.
If you ever have this problem, remove the governor and clean it real good and reinstall.

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

I'm having a bit of trouble pursuading the transmission to allow enough room to get to the governor. I can barely touch it with my fingers and certainly do not have enough room to get to the housing. I may have to remove the exhaust to allow it to "flex" to the passenger side. Going to have some dinner and think about it.

After some pursuasion... I used a ratchet tie down to hold the trans and was able to get the governor cover off after removing the speedo cable. I can barely see one side of the snap ring inside and there is almost no room to work.

This is looks challenging....

Jammin190,
Yes it is a challeng, but not near as challenging as getting the snap ring and governor back in. However it is doable (if I can do it, any one can do it). If the gear is broken you should be able to rotate the governor so you can get at it. If it won't turn, and you want to remove it to clean and inspect it, then you will need to rotate the drive shaft and the gov will rotate so you can get to it.

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

3000 words. Been here before without camera

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

The governor spins freely which from what I've gathered, says the gear is broken. I'll try to remember to get some digitals of the removal process and post.

Although challenging, this is still much better than a tranny overhaul or a trip to the local ********. Can't seem bring the car into them for less that $500 for anything.

I guess the major challenge is to resist the temptation to work on this on a Sunday. I may browse the local retail tool shops for right angle snap ring pliers today...

Steve
Just a quick question if you don't mind. I found the broken gear in January of this year, replaced it, and the trans seems to be working great. This is my 91 300D. I didn't look in the secondary pump because I didn't know to. Also, I never found the second half of the gear. I've driven the car probably 2000 miles since with no problems except one time I had to remove the gov again because it hung up and wouldn't shift into reverse after going forward. It was serviced when the gear was replaced, when the gov hung up, and about 500 miles ago when I switched to Mobil 1 fluid. I never found anything in the pan to indicate a problem.
Now my question. Am I setting on a time bomb?

PS You don't have to answer for me, but maybe it will help Jammin190

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

We have had 3 of these events, all the same. I don't think they would have worked had we not replaced the check valves and removed the spring. The fact you have a working trans either means you had a different problem or the spring is now somewhere else.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thanks Steve.

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Ok, so if I'm understanding correctly, there's a check valve that I should replace as well as search for the spring "gone walk about". I did see a piece of spring in the governor, but have not taken a close look to see if is't supposed to be there.

Can this valve be done under the car?
I was planning on pulling the pan for a filter/fluid change.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Benjamin

Yes the valves are easier than the governor.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician