240d 1983 throttle linkage regulierstangen specs ? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Andreas77 · #1 07-06-2018, 02:11 PM

Hi there , im new to this forum , and Mercedes diesel w123 , hope someone can help me , I try to sort out the linkage mess , under my hood , I bought and installed a new linkage pivot bushing , because the old one was disintegrated , now im trying to get the correct lengths , for the 2 rods on top of my valve cover , pushrod , pullrod ,the one to the "drosselklappe" butterfly air intake, and the vertical one that goes down to the IP , PO 's son took all the linkages apart and messed with the adjustments of the rods and tried to install a "modern" style accelerator linkage system , no wonder the transmission wasn't shifting, glad he didn't through the old rods away , anyhow I googled since a week I couldn't find nothing on this topic about lengths , I got it to where it gets all the way up at the lift pump at full throttle , but I think it has be adjusted to certain lengths , in order for the transmission to shift at the right time , besides the right vacuum to modulator and vcv , because I don't wanna mess with the VCV valve or modulator until I started with the most simple things first , is it true the 240d diesel 1983 automatic usually don't starts from 1st gear ? I have read this and wonder if it is true , mine rarely does shift down to first gear , even after transmission fluid and filter change ,at the moment the vac. system is simplified waiting for a new 3/2 valve from ******** , so vacuum goes straight from the main line to the y connector , bull goes down with ne dapshot to vcv , the other side of y goes straight to tranny , I got a annoying flare 2-3 , most likely because of miss adjustment of linkages "rods" ,and lil leaks , hope someone can help me with the linkage specs .

thank you in advance , and sorry for my English , im a german lost in Southern California :-)

Dr. Sternschnuppe · #2 07-06-2018, 05:07 PM

Could you post the FIN? Is it US-Ausf. car?

vwnate1 · #3 07-07-2018, 12:02 AM

FWIW, the later W123's all start off in first gear, a good thing too else I'd get run over and killed trying to merge into freeway traffic in Los Angeles .

The FSM has the *exact* lengths of all those little rods .

As you surmised, everything else must be perfect before adjusting the rods, motor mounts and so sag as they age out, it doesn't look like much but it'll totally screw up your shifting and off idle response .

Andreas77 · #4 07-08-2018, 07:52 PM

Dr. Sternschnuppe ,The VIN #WDBAB23A6DB377262 , it is the U.S. Version , California model.

Andreas77 · #5 07-08-2018, 08:08 PM

vwnate1, the motor mounts looking fine , I did so far diesel purges , new filters , bypassed the tank screen , switched the fuel hoses , new fuel return lines , valve adjustment new valve gasket , new tranny filter new fluid , new pivot accelerator bushing , oil change , oil pan gasket , new dapshot , new vacuum connectors, vacuum hardlines , new 3/2 switchover valve . but this car rarely starts from 1st gear , its usually 2nd , I unhooked the kickdown switch , drove it without still , it wont downshift all the way to 1st gear , once in a blue moon , it does shift , usually when I almost come to stop , still have some rpm's and then floor it , it will shift from 1st all the way through all 4 gears, so I hope its just a vacuum routing, leak, adjustment thinggy, where do I get the FSM , startekinfo, mbusa ? thanks for your help. and yes it is scary to get on the freeway in southern California with the 240d , I totally avoid the 101 onramps lol.

vwnate1 · #6 07-09-2018, 05:40 PM

First & foremost : there are many others here who understand slushboxes far better than I do ! I avoid touching them apart from routine service .

However, your '83 should start off in first gear, every time .

For now, whenever you're at a dead stop waiting for a green light, simply shift all the way down into first then back up into the normal drive position .

? Maybe a silly question : are you sure it's not starting off in first gear ? . often it up shifts into second gear before crossing an intersection .

Remember : it'll only shift 3 times, many tell me their new/old Mercedes only has a three speed slushbox because they only feel three shifts.....

The FSM is available on CD or used, the slushbox tranny is a separate manual, I'd maybe suggest spending some serious time looking through older posts and learning how to use a vacuum gauge to check and adjust the vacuum signal to the modulator .

It needs to decrease the vacuum signal as you increase throttle .

? Why did you change any vacuum hard lines ? .

BTW : my name is NATE .

Andreas77 · #7 07-09-2018, 08:18 PM

Hi , Nate

maybe it ****s out of 1st , and I don't feel it , but like I mentioned sometimes , I clearly feel it when it shifts 3 times all the way up to the 4th , right now I drive it "manually" ,
because I got this nasty flare from 2-3 gear when I floor it , im waiting for a new 2/3 valve from ******** , ireplaced all the lines because they were in horrible condition , and yeah I got me a mithvac already to test the vacuum system , and to adjust the vcv valve if necessary .

but as for now , since today I got to deal with a ignition lock that I cant turn anymore, steering wheel lock stucks and I cant turn the key in 1st position , had to get towed home from a parking lot , I went under the car checked the shifter position , that it is in parking position , shifter bushing is fine and confirmed shifter is is in park , "flooded" the ignition with some WD40 , and wiggled for like an hr. to see if I get it turned to position 1 , weird thing is before I got me a new battery , that happened twice already , I thought I got dead battery so I had my co worker , and neighbor jump me , and after a few minutes , car with a powerful battery , miracle I could turn the key , but I think it was just luck, anyhow I try it later when my neighbor comes home from work with his truck , shoot, I should have had exchanged the tumbler ignition switch a while ago , so now time to google and find some helpful threads . thanks for your advices nate , appreciate it .

vwnate1 · #8 07-09-2018, 08:32 PM

Take the registration to your Mercedes Dealer, they'll order up a new key for $40 (I know, OUCH) that will work in the old lock cylinder 99 % of the time .

Find some graphite, liquid graphite is the best (old brand "Lock EZE" in blue cans) , spray it in liberally and allow to soak, *gently* wiggle the key, forcing it bends/damaged the delicate brass wafers ('dogs') in the lock cylinder .

If that fails, get the new ignition lock cylinder from Mercedes Classic Center, it'll be the same price as aftermarket and your old key will work....

vwnate1 · #9 07-09-2018, 08:35 PM

Son of a gun ~ they still make and sell it ! : https://www.amazon.com/American-Grease-Stick-Lock-ease-Graphited/dp/B000GKW2NM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1531182829&sr=8-2&keywords=lock+ease

This stuff is the shiznit .

Diseasel300 · #10 07-09-2018, 08:41 PM

Just FYI, VIN-matched lock cylinders for pre-1990 vehicles are NLA. Confirmed by the dealer just last week. They can still get the keys, just no ignition cylinder. You can still get an OEM one, but it'll be randomly keyed, no more VIN matching and only comes with a single key (you can't get a 2nd key unless you get it duplicated by a locksmith). They want $180 for it.....OUCH.

vwnate1 · #11 07-09-2018, 08:44 PM

Oh crap ~ good thing I bought a new ignition lock cylinder for my Coupe then ! .

Hopefully I'll never need it, it got all stiff some years back so I jumped the shark .

vwnate1 · #12 07-09-2018, 09:10 PM

I just talked to the M-B Classic Center in Irvine, Ca. and they say yes, matching keys and lock cylinders are still available, you have to wait for them to come from Germany but that's been the case for over five years that I know about, why I ordered one in the *instant* I had my old key stick .

I highly suggest you get going and order one in A.S.A.P. before you get seriously stuck .

It's been a long time since I've changed a Neimann lock cylinder but they usually have a spring blade you need to depress to change it out, knowing exactly where that spring blade is so you can drill a tiny hole and easily push the spring down with an unbent paper clip, is the tricky part .

Once you have a new lock cylinder in your hand, it's not difficult to figure out, I assume you tube has a video of it some where .

Diseasel300 · #13 07-09-2018, 09:15 PM

They've changed their tune since last week then......I was on the phone with a rep from the classic center while standing at the parts counter. They said lock cylinders are still available, but NOT VIN matched for pre-1990 vehicles. I was standing at that parts counter for nearly 3 hours talking with MBUSA parts reps and the classic center. If I was lied to, I'll be really pissed off.

vwnate1 · #14 07-09-2018, 09:22 PM

I talked to the Manager there, maybe some other guy was to lazy or doesn't like working with the older cars, I know almost every M-B _Dealer_ is like this, why I go to the Classic Center .

Andreas77 · #15 07-09-2018, 10:09 PM

thanks , nate

I watched some videos online, kent from Mercedes...... , has some videos on demand , and kits to do it , and some videos explain how to drill the tumbler out and use a screwdriver , but I went your route , and ordered the key ,and lock cylinder , my neigbour had some graphite powder , but nope key wont turn , that thing is stubborn ,I guess I gotta wait for the next 3 weeks minimum ,gotta have patience , thank you so much .