I have been wanting a diesel for a while. I finally got a chance to pick one up pretty cheap. The reason I got it so cheap is because it wont shift past 2nd. It does start in first and shift pretty smoothly to second.

The story is the car won't go past 20mph or it will shift into neutral. I've yet to have this happen. I can get it to about 45-50 and it wont shift past 2nd.

I've tested the modulator and its holding vacuum. The vacuum system has a few leaks. I'm still tring to figure out if I have a federal car or a california car so I can tell if I have all the vacum parts I need. Is there a easy way to tell the difference.
Sn# wdbab33a9db029705

I've tried with the kickdown switch plugged and unplugged doesn't change a thing. I pulled the b1 and it seems fine. I changed the k1 and k2 springs. The old oil was nice a clean. There was no sludge in the bottom of the pan making me wonder if the tranny was bad. The filter I ordered was the wrong one so I'm waiting on the filter before I fill it back up. Is there anything else I can do before I get the filter.

I've tried to adjusting the bowden cable and it doesn't seem to change much.

I've read about swaping a bushing on the shifter. What's the best way to get to this bushing?

Thanks for any help in advance. Bill

A fair number of threads describing this problem have popped up recently. Virus going around MB's? None of them have had a happy simple ending I think.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Seems like I've read a few stories about simple repairs. I'm still hoping it's pretty simple. I got the car cheap enough that a new tranny is in the budget, but I'd rather spend it on a paint job.

I know this may sound crazy but if you rev up to 4000 RPM (I think ... it's pretty high) does it shift? If it does, then you're probably looking at a valvebody. I had this issue and checked vacuum and replaced all vacuum lines etc but it still did it. The only good news was that afterwards, shifting was much better and not so erratic not sure if that was VB also tho ... good luck! Mine is a 1987 tho so not sure if it is they work exactly the same.

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Current cars:
1987 Mercedes 300D
1997 Turbo Nissan Maxima
2001 Lexus IS300 2JZ-GTE & 6 speed swap
2002 BMW E46 M3 - done ... needs engine management
2005 E55 AMG - mods started starts with a pulley and goes on from there!!!

I had the rpms in the 4000+ range and it wouldn't shift. I'll check the valvebody out. I'm not really sure where that would be found.

I think I'd try a changing the ATF and filter as well as adding a bottle of Trans-X when you refill. The Trans-X will clean the varnish and buildup in the trans and may fix your problem. But it may be deeper than that as well.

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Don't know if it is close enough to apply to your year and model but look at the link in post #6
info on 722.3 - 722.5 transmissions

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Your Bowden cable may be adjusted way wrong, or broken, even. Screw the white nut in as far as it'll go, see what happens.

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83 SD

84 CD

Thanks. I'll look for Trans-x when I pick up the right filter.

I assume if the cable was broken I would be able to tell pretty quick. I have tried it both ways and neither made any difference. When I get the car back together I'll make sure I try it again.

I picked up a transmission that I'm gonna use so I can figure out if I want to go any further in repairing the one I have. I'd just swap them but the one I picked up has been drilled into by the somebody that was draining the fluids. There is a chunk out of the valve body. It will make a nice model for learning about this transmission. Plus theres alot of parts that I can use if it makes sense.

First things first I'm gonna get it back together and see what happens.

Well I think I may have fixed it. I came across this thread
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/237763-my-superior-shift-kit-thread-w124-300dt-post2650310.html#post2650310
and was all ready to tear into the valvebody when I came across this post in the thread which sounded like what my car was doing.
I figured what could it hurt at this point. I turned the allen screw a full two turns and put the car back together. Well it's shifting through 3rd now. I don't have the car on the road so I'll have to wait for a better test. My driveway isn't quite long enough to get it into fourth.

Almost forgot I also took toomany MBZ's advice and turned the bowden cable all the way in. Thanks again

Now I have to work on my vaccum problems. Gonna be a long list of parts.

Thanks everybody for the help. Hopefully this may help somebody with the same symptoms.

Bill