I am going on what my mechanic said...here is his email

"I checked vacuum at modulator and have none, I do have vacuum to the valve at the top of injection pump.
It stopped there. I checked the valve with a mini vac (hand held vacuum pump and the diaphram does not move). It has to have a hole in it. See if you can find this vacuum diaphram because I believe that this is our problem with the shifting."
Anybody help further? car has vacuum and brakes and doors lock.
Thanks to all who are trying to help
Richard

Ok, so it's not a bad vacuum pump diaphragm. He seems to be referring to the vacuum valve that sits on the ip and provides vacuum to the shift modulator.

If it's not working that would explain your problem. Not a real cheap part though if you buy new.

__________________
Joe

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1980 300SD - 495k miles - 'The Ambassador'
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Former Family Members
95 C280
73 280SEL
90 300D
87 300SDL (X2)
86 560SEL
84 300D
80 300SD

Can't really add to the thread but you can do what I did and spend $3000 for a new trans. Now don't you feel better? Hope you get everything worked out.

__________________
Rick & Michele in California
1985 300SD Turbo Deisel
300,000+ miles

1963 Mercury Meteor Stationwagon
1959 Montgomery Ward Silver Pigeon Scooter & matching bicycle
1974 IH Scout 4x4

seems maybe he means the modulator on the tranny end?? did he check the lines to the tranny?

When I bought my car, the tranny hit hard, too. it was not connected to vac.
got it all straightened now,

__________________
1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.