These cars have pumps in the transmission to circulate the fluid. If the back wheels are turning, so is something in the transmission. With out the motor spinning the front of the transmission, the front pump is not pumping.

I don't think it is destroyed from 3 miles. I think the owners manual talks about starting these by towing while pulling it in neutral. You have some time, see what the manual says.

I know the first W123 cars had two pumps in the transmission, one in the front ran by the engine, and one in the rear ran by the drive shaft. The rear pump allowed you to pull the car to start it, like you would a manual transmission. Not sure if all W123 cars had the rear pump, but I'm pretty sure all non-turbos did. The owner's manual would say something about pulling the car to start it if it does. If it has a rear pump, then lack of lubrication would not be a problem, especially for 3 miles.

I also do not think 3 miles would trash the transmission. I've towed one that far without a problem at speeds of 30 mph or so. Did you check the fluid level? Maybe it leaked oil out somewhere when it was towed. Did the shift linkage come off? Must be some logical reason it won't move.

Interesting about the two pumps. The manual does detail the process for pull starting.

I did think about a linkage at some point today as well. At this point I'm just waiting and seeing. I was in a bad state of mind yesterday and wasn't really going through the steps of sober diagnosis. I did not check fluid level.

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Aaron
85' 300 TD