I posted about the intermittently shifting transmission a couple of weeks ago. Evidently this stumped everybody, as there were no replies.
After removing the pan, the fluid smelled a bit burnt...no particles in the pan, but the filter looked pretty brown.
I suspected the shifter bushings...the stick has about 1/4" of play.
This did not seem like enough to cause trouble. I had my wife move the shifter back and forth...it always dropped right into the drive cog (observing from under the car)..no problem there. Finally I asked her more questions.
Do you lean on the shifter while you drive? 'No......but I do like to keep my purse there'....turns out she wedges her purse between the shifter and the seat (holds it there real nice).....I expect enought to force it part way to neutral! I changed the oil and filter....she shifts fine still after 400 miles....I can think of no other explanation.
Evidently the filter had enough restiction after this event to intermittently cause the pump to suck air......I hope It lasts a while.

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D

LOL! Thats a great story. Usually its the other way around!

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Sean Roland

2004 Saab 9-5 AERO 138k (for sale)
2000 VW Jetta GLS TDI 215k (sold)
1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 - 132k (sold)
1999 Saab 9-3se -- 84k (sold)
1986 MB 190e 2.3 16v -- 221K (sold)
1985 MB 190e 2.3 16v euro -- 145k (junked)
1992 Saab 9000t 5sp. -- 142k (sold)
1994 Subaru Legacy -- 264K (sold)
1998 Audi A4 1.8TQ -- 102k (sold)
1983 MB 240D stick -- 160k (sold)
1988 Saab 900SPG -- 156K (sold)
1983 MB 300D -- 270K project or parts (sold)
1986 MB 280SE Euro stick -- 150K (sold)

And you said what to her? My wife liked to start off in second gear in our 92 F250 4X4,said the one-two shift was too much of a bother,now she drives an automatic (you'll get used to it in no time,I told her)

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Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight

Those are both classic stories... thanks for sharing... Greg

In our old volvo standard, my wife liked to stay in first for the longest time....up to 4000 rpms or more sustained, then jump to third....The first time I observed this I almost jumped out of my skin!!! She said that its too hard to get it into second (she's correct, but it was not that bad). Now she has an automatic, and she says she really prefers a standard! Yes Dear.

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)