Hello all, The tranny started shifting WAAAY early and is in 3rd gear by 23 mph. Plus it won't kick down into a lower gear no matter what. Everything worked before this.
1- Checked all vacuum lines etc. and none have been knocked loose.
2- If the kickdown solenoid went bad all of a sudden I don't think that would be causing the early shifts as well.
3- The vacuum valve levers are in bad shape. One is totally missing and the other is worn out. Would bad vacuum levers cause the above symptoms? I'm hoping it's that simple. If not I'm assuming it's another vacuum related issue somewhere.
I love my car but it's just been one thing after another and now this.
Searching the archives I only found one other post with these exact symptoms and the problem wasn't resolved so it wasn't any help. Any help appreciated, JEFF

1981 240D automatic

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1981 240d aka "The rust bucket"

I do believe that the vacuum valves are necessary for proper operation of that transmission. Unlike the turbos, that vehicle probably won't have a Bowden cable and it relies on a modulated vacuum signal to determine shift points.

It would be beneficial for another 240D owner to confirm this.

Jeff,

Perhaps my 79 240D 722.117 auto, with 3.69 diff was different; but when the vacuum was disconnected between the vacuum "valve", which is really just a variable dashpot -- or when the VCV dashpot was leaking vac, its rubber diaphragm penetrated; it would wind its heart out in third, and only shift into fourth exceeding 53mph!

Its pretty flat here 3 blocks from lake michigan. If I lived around hills, I'd expect that it would never shift into 4th under those conditions. Top speed was around 67mph with that rear end, except downwind and downhill. I can't remember ever getting a 3-2 downshift to happen from load; but perhaps I just don't remember it that well.

I'm not certain I understand your post. Are you ever shifting into fourth gear?

It sounds like the shifter rod might be mis-adjusted if you've assured that the governor is actually seeing a vacuum signal; or I am missing something. If
the rod is mis-adjusted, you will get only one gear shift in S, rather than two.
If the rod is out of adjustment it will never see "D", hitting the console stop before it finds the gear; but will still find "N" although at the very top of the slot.

I remember having this problem but can't remember if its was long or short on the shift rod.

One more thought: I have seen reports of those transmissions "skipping" first and starting in 2nd gear; although I can't remember the exact cause. 1st gear is only
"5mph" wide on a 240D. So maybe you're seeing the 3-4 shift at 23mph -- which means that you have too much vacuum, typical when the VCV has been bypassed
and full vac routed directly to the tranmission.

23 mph, under light load, is about right for the 2-3 shift; in fact, a little high, from memory. Since I only commute 2 miles, I drove around in "S" all winter to keep it OUT of 4th gear, and try to get it up to temperature.

Also, I think there is only one lever on a VCV. Can take a picture and post it if that helps. I still have the 616 being fitted to the Montero at my shop.

hth.

--frankb

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaschanks Hello all, The tranny started shifting WAAAY early and is in 3rd gear by 23 mph. Plus it won't kick down into a lower gear no matter what. Everything worked before this. 1- Checked all vacuum lines etc. and none have been knocked loose. 2- If the kickdown solenoid went bad all of a sudden I don't think that would be causing the early shifts as well. 3- The vacuum valve levers are in bad shape. One is totally missing and the other is worn out. Would bad vacuum levers cause the above symptoms? I'm hoping it's that simple. If not I'm assuming it's another vacuum related issue somewhere. I love my car but it's just been one thing after another and now this. Searching the archives I only found one other post with these exact symptoms and the problem wasn't resolved so it wasn't any help. Any help appreciated, JEFF 1981 240D automatic

__________________
--frankb

1982 300TD 617.912 <NLA> . 1975 2002 E10-EFI . 1976 914c6 . 1983 MG LMIII <NLA>. 1988 Montero / 616<NLA> . 2001 TLS . 2005 Saab 9-5 Wagon

Well time to finish the thread. I got the vaccum levers from peachparts and with the tutorial on dieselgiant I changed the vaccum levers on the valve cover.
1) My car only has 1 vaccum lever not 2 as in the DG tutorial. It's a very
easy job to do. Took all of 5 minutes.
2) Took it for a drive and the shift points are back to normal and nice
and firm, not mushy like they were.
3) The tranny now downshifts as needed when going up hill.
4) It is still starting out in 1st gear from a stop. Should be starting in 2nd
then down shifting into 1st. My kickdown switch must be going bad as
well.
So on an 1981 240d with auto tranny the vaccum lever definitely help control the shift points. HTH someone in the future. JEFF

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1981 240d aka "The rust bucket"

My 81 300CD always started off in 1st gear. Thats normal.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

I'm not so sure. Until the above problems started my 240d has always started in 2nd gear them immediately shifted to 1st. I've read of other 240d owners here reporting the same thing

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1981 240d aka "The rust bucket"