One area that I have no worthwhile expereince with is automatic transmissions.

My 83 300SD first began to not shift into 3rd or 4th. I added Trans-X and it then it began shift into those gears but with a slip (changed out fluids for syn to take the heat from the slipping) and now it has reverted back to not shifting into 3rd or 4th.

My cash situation being what it is...rules out tossing in a newly rebuilt trans, so I have to either fix it myself or gamble on a used one.
My questions are....

What areas of the transmission might be the cause of the problem. If its limited to the valve body I can get them for about $15.

If the problem is deeper than that, would it be visually apparent to someone without the experiences or is it something that requires the measuring of presssures and thickness's. The trans is about ready to pull out of the car.

I found a couple of transmissions in yards for 75 bucks, but feel helpless in figuring out if they have any life to them.

Any help is appreciated in advance.

Don

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

You feel the same way almost everyone else does in that situation..
These are 20 plus year old transmissions... including I assume any you might get from the salvage yard....if you have plenty of time then swapping enough of the cheap used trans might work out just fine... and you would soon be able to do it really quickly.... although I myself don't really want to have that expertise...
This is why putting a manual trans in feels like the Holy Grail to so many people... the huge cost of a good rebuilt... which still may only last a few years compared to the originals....

Leathermang - is there a factory manual that will bolt to the 603?

I can't tell if you are kidding me about my obsession with factory shop manuals (well documented ) or are asking another question...
Can you restate ?

LOL, sorry about that. No, I was referring to any factory manual transmissions that shared the bolt pattern of the 603 (I'm new to the Mercedes arena so I'll probably ask this type of question fairly often for a little while). I did a search, but didn't find much discussion of swaps, etc... I'd love to know what might share the bolt pattern, what's strong enough to tolerate a stock (or even modified) 603, whether W124's ever came with a manual trans in the US, etc... Sorry for the confusion!

All I have manuals for are 123's...

Sorry ...

if you do get a used trans from a yard, I'd opt for one from a wrecked vehicle. It would seem to me that there would be better odds that the trans would be in better shape than one in a car that looks good but had mechanical issues.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Agreed....Today I saw a 84 D that was wacked in the left rear. The only thing is it had a split boot. Interior is sharp... seats look really good so this might be the one. It isn't the $50 to find out but the hours spent. I was thinking about finding a shop that could throw it on a dyno and tell me whats what.

Don

__________________
1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

I pulled and bought the trans and torque converter from the 84 300D at a you-pull-it parts for $75.00.

I finished the install today....and it WORKS! far better than the old one ever did. About 1 1/2 seconds to engage either forward or reverse. Good shifts!

I am sooooo happy and relieved!

Don

__________________
1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

Bigred
there is a modulator on the passenger side.
A vac line attached to it.
I squeeze the spring to pop off the plastic cap.
There is a blank shape key inside. i turned up 2 notches and my trans is tracking much better. Used to slip little when i really goosed it, now ran like a dragster.
Try it, if not happy can always dial it back.