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  #1  
Old 09-07-2004, 01:15 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 326
Difficulty in Shifting from N to R

One of the downsides of getting my car refurbished is that now I have shifting problems...shifter wont move past "N" into reverse unless I either let the car roll for a bit or turn the car off and restart.

Don Pool Mercedes (which did do some work on the linkage) said that it's a common problem caused by presure building up in the automatic transmission and that turning the car off and restarting relieves that presure. Anyone else had this problem?

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Old 09-07-2004, 06:29 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Falls Church, VA
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Maybe it is a common problem for Don Pool customers who have had work done by them on their linkage, but I for one have never heard of it, or experienced it in over twenty years' driving with this basic transmission in a number of cars. Nor have I seen it described on any of the web sites I hang out on.

But, the ATSG manual for this trans does list it as a "complaint." The fix is to "clean centrifugal governor and make operable." This can be done with the trans in the car, according to the manual.

Just to be sure, I would have them check/adjust the linkage. This involves putting a pin (or nail) through a hole in the shift lever with the trans in N, and adjusting the threaded rod so the pins fit perfectly in the holes in the bushings. It is a pretty easy job if you can get the car in the air.
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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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  #3  
Old 09-09-2004, 12:20 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Alexandria, VA
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Chuck, thank you...do you run a shop or can you recommend one to do this? I already took it back to Don Pool once and life is too damned short to live with this sort of problem. Thanks.
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Old 09-09-2004, 10:15 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Falls Church, VA
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There are two places in Northern VA that say they will actually try to repair a transmission: Don Pool, and MB Motors on Pickett in Fairfax (703.534.4222). When I talked to them about my 380SL trans, they recommended a partial rebuild, and they were quite knowledgeable.

The governor repair is tough. You have to remove the driveshaft and tailshaft and get the governor assembly out in a very confined space, clean it and put it back together. Probably $600 at least. There is no guarantee that this will fix the problem. Further troubles could lurk in the valve body, or other pieces that very few mechanics actually understand.

So you could easily go down the road I went with my 380SL. Diagnosis by Don Pool - $396. Rebuilt valve body - $300. Trans service and synthetic ATF - $225. Total - $921. Results - 0. My point is that instead of paying $600 or so to try the governor repair, you might be better off with a $1195 rebuilt unit from Adsit and a $600 R/R charge and be good for the next 100K miles.

I would try MB Motors for a diagnosis and look at the linkage and possible adjustment. If the problem persists, ask their opinion on a fix vs a rebuilt unit.

Good luck - this is s a tough one.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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