I have a 82' 240D that stopped shifting well. It Shifted into 1,2,3 but not fourth and all were delayed to the last rpm possible before the redline. I Bought a new Vacuum modulator, and it made all of the difference, and none of the difference. it now starts out in 2nd and shifts to 3rd and 4th very prematurely. The adjustment key made absolutely no difference whatsoever. it turns out that the vaccum modulator I pulled ot of the car was exactly the same EXCEPT that in the one I pulled out there is a short (1-1/2 inches) metal rod with a spring snugly around it sticking out of the hole on the side that goes into the tranny. And it does not appear to be removeable. I thought I got the wrong modulator, but all the part pictures of the VM online for my model of car look exactly like what I just bought. No rod/ Spring. What the heck is going on here? Has anyone had the same problem? It seems as if the modualtor I need doesnt exist.