1972 220D auto transmission problem

[Jetta pickup]

Hey guy's , finnaly back with an old '72 220D , i'm the second owner of the car , I got it from a friend's grand parent who passed away.

Long story short , the car have been stored for the last 17 years.

The engine is in excellent condition , i changed all the fluids , filters , valved ajusted etc

My main concern at the moment is the transmission.

When i put it in drive or reverse , it takes less than half a second to engage into gear , wich is a good sign form what i've read all over the internet.

To shift into second gear , i must rev the engine way higher than i used to do with my previous '76 300d.

For the 3rd gear to get in , i must get the engine to run near max r.p.m to shift ( needless to say i did that only 2 time ). I tried to get the 4th gear in once , never happened

I know the vacuum line are generally the problem or the vacuum modul etc....

Well if you already had a similar problem and solved it please let me know

Sorry for my bad english btw

[Frank Reiner]

Jp:

Are you outside the USA? If so the particular version of the basic transmission may be different than what are known in the US. The transmission can be identified, however.
On the right side of the transmission main case, just above the oil pan gasket, can be found a series of numbers stamped into the case. Knowing those will help a lot.

Your description of delayed shifting suggests a problem with the governor circuits.

[Jetta pickup]

Thanks for the quick answer.

I'm in canada , i'll go take a look at the transmission number.

Do you have any D.I.Y on how to ajust - check the governors ?

Thanks

[Jetta pickup]

From what i've seen

115 270 002 01

013455

[Mike D]

Don't adjust anything! Put a couple of hundred KM on it first. Give the poor baby a chance to wake up from its 17 year nap.

Change the trans filter and fluid after you've driven it a bit.

The transmission you have starts in 2nd gear so you will only have two up-shifts during normal driving mode. You'd have to shift it into the bottom gear (don't remember if it's "L" or "S" on your model) and manually go through the gears to feel all four gears.

The car has a low ratio differential (higher numerical) to make up for the low output of the engine.

What you consider a high level of RPM's may in fact be normal for the engine.

The massive power output of 60 HP at 4200 RPM's takes some getting used to.

[Jetta pickup]

I remember my 300d always started in 2nd gear unless i floored it wich is normal.

But my current 220d really start in first , i'm going about 5 mpg and it's already high in rev , soo it's really the first gear.

[Frank Reiner]

Originally Posted by Jetta pickup

From what i've seen

115 270 002 01

013455

The numbers identify the trans as a W4B 025 (722.1xx). As Mike D. has noted it is a four speed box that starts in 2nd. A full throttle kickdown start will cause the box to start in 1st.

There are no vacuum controls, and hence, no vacuum modulator. The modulator pressure is fixed. The control pressure arm at the right front of the trans is linked to the throttle via a rod (control pressure rod). Lengthening that rod will cause earlier shifts. Buckle up!

[Frank Reiner]

Originally Posted by Jetta pickup

I remember my 300d always started in 2nd gear unless i floored it wich is normal.

But my current 220d really start in first , i'm going about 5 mpg and it's already high in rev , soo it's really the first gear.

If that is so, look for a stuck kickdown switch; it explains all the delayed shifts.

[Jetta pickup]

I'm currently uploading a video i just made , a little test-drive around.

While it's uploading i'll take a look at the kick-down stitch , thanks for the cue.

I supposed it's located under the accelerator pedal inside the cabine ?

[Mike D]

Yup.

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Frank Reiner

Buckle up!

Frank, you owe me a screen cleaning for that!

[Jetta pickup]

Well , the kick-down switch seem to be working fine.

It does move and i hear a 'click' when i press it and it come back freely itself

[Jetta pickup]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Vkhfjsco0&feature=youtu.be

The little video

[Mike D]

are you manually shifting through the gears on the video or are you putting the selector in "D" and driving?

How did you manage to let the pedestrian get away? I noticed he wasn't exactly worried about the acceleration capability of the awesome 2.2L's of raw power. He's probably driven one.

Unplug the kick-down to eliminate it from the system.

[Frank Reiner]

Jp:

In the event that the KD switch and wiring check out OK, the next step will be to remove the KD solenoid/valve package from the trans to inspect for free movement of the valve, and to insure that the oil passage thru the valve is not blocked.