Hope I didn't miss this is my search.
Original Owner 205,000 Miles

Had radiator leak repaired by a radiator shop...


Leaving shop, trans will NOT shift out of low gear.

What/ where do I start looking?
Thanks for any and all help.

DKW

Check the level of the automatic transmission fluid. The ATF is run by lines up to a cooling section inside the radiator.

In case they really messed up, look for ATF in your coolant, and coolant in your ATF.

Chances are your car lost a lot of ATF when they took out the radiator, and they forgot to put any back in to bring the level back up.

Well, that's my try at an Internet diagnosis.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

First check for ATF level and coolant in the AFT (this would be a defective tranny cooler in the rad). If that is fine, check the kickdown cable to make sure it' still attached. It should be all the way out with the throttle closed and all the way in when it's floored (backwards from the usual arrangement).

Peter

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Check you Vacuum lines that control your Trans mod. I am not sure on your year but mine 1980 D there is one on the top of valve cover and the main regulator on the injection pump. If your tranny mod is not getting any vaccuum it will stay in first gear. I had some joker by pass the Vacuum Valve on the injection pump because the Vacuum Valve was broken and cost to much. the result was constaince Vacuum presure to the tranny so the tranny would shift straight to thrid. So if a line got disconnected for some reason you would stay in first. I hope this helps good luck.

How long did you drive it like this?

Will it upshift at redline?

Trans Fluid betw min and Max
Coolant looks good, no ATF,
Drove about block of so,
No red line engine speed. So don't know.

Next move is to drain and replace Trans Fluid.

Will check the downshif.

Engine shuts down of, so assume Vac is ok.
Is this a valid assumption??

DKW

Well, the vac to the fuel shutoff is OK, but it may not be OK for the tranny stuff. However, on that car, only shift "feel" is controlled by the vac, not shift point.

You'll have to check the linkage and bowden cable, and if everything looks OK, it's time for the tranny shop. If it really is staying in first all the time, you need someone who knows these trannies to look at it.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!