'93 300E(W124) Auto tranny changing up too early

[TrevorC]

Hi Everyone.

I'm new here - hope you guys can help with my problem...

My 1993 300E (W124) has suddenly started changing up very early. It will pull away in 2nd, change to 3rd and then to 4th before the speed even reaches 40kph - no matter how much hard (or soft) I press the accelerator. It will also not kick-down when pressing the kick-down switch at the end of the accelerator pedal travel.

Moving the gear selector to 3 changes the gear to 3rd, but moving it back to drive immedialety changes it back to 4th, even though I give it lots of accelerator. E-S selector switch is always in S.

Performance seems to be fine, other than a bit sluggish because of the higher gear and lower speed. Cruising at 120kph is normal. There does not appear to be any slipping.

I have read almost every post I can find on the bowden cable and then last night I took the car out on the road to adjust it. Well, after stopping about 25 times, adjusting a bit, and testing for about an hour, there is no change whatsoever! In fact, no adjustment (whether tightening or loosening the adjusting nut) has any effect. I definately have the correct cable because I found some pictures in the posts which show it very clearly.

Anyone have any ideas for me?