Hello,

I have an old 190e (1991) that has worked pretty much flawlessly for the past few years of ownership but, without warning one very rainy day recently, won't shift out of second. It appears that second and reverse work correctly. The engine will freewheel after about 4k RPM's, but shifting back to neutral and then into drive will re-engage into second.

It sounds like, from reading other posts, that this is limp mode. However, I don't even know if the 190's this early had a limp mode. Can anyone chime in on this?

Thanks.

your message is a bit sketchy, you mean it won't get out of second gear even when you shift it to neutral? or do you mean it won't shift to 3rd or 4th gear ? which is which? and then you say second and reverse work correctly???? most if not all MB will start on the 2nd gear (FYI) A limp home mode is when you cannot get any power and you literally limp home on a low speed even when you step all the way down to the floor of your accelerator pedal.

Hope you can be more precise with your data (problem) and I'm sure some one will be able to facilitate your question.

Thanks for your reply.

To clarify:

P - Works
R - Works
N - Works
D - Works in starting gear (2nd?) - but won't upshift to either 3rd or 4th.

Upon reaching somewhere around 4K rpm's, the transmission disengages until it is switched into neutral and back into drive, at which point it resumes its "stuck in 2nd" mode.

This is what I have read on various forums and posts is known as limp mode. I believe that there are two limp modes, one for transmission and one for engine. It sounds like you were referring to the Engine limp mode, which is not what is taking place.

Thanks again.

sounds like you need a new transmission... hasn't happened to my 190 but had it happen to me in a ford taurus ... i was just driving went to accelerate at a stop car wouldn't shift out of first... more specifically i think it's probably the linkage... good luck with a new tranny

Have you tried adjusting the shifting cable to the transmission and do you know how to adjust it ? another point is to check the modulating valve by using a pressure guage, otherwise, I'd advice you to send it to a garage who really know how to adjust it the right way, I have been doing this things for many years and I would honestly say its not easy. My credential: Chief mechanic and owner of an MB dealership. (just to let you know my comments and suggestions are base on reality and not just any guessing game) also doing it this way first may save you from having to spend or change your tranny prematurely.

try also to check the fault codes if unsure what is causing your limp home mode.

Your transmission does not have LIMP MODE, its does not have a transmission control module, its non electronic controlled,


Start with this First.

1: Governor gear failure is a common problem with the 722.4 transmission in your car, there are two methods of diagnosing this, install a gauge into the governor test port, driver side front of the transmission, by the bell housing is were the tap is, at 30MPH you should have 20PSI of oil pressure, if you have 0 PSI, the gear is broken or the governor valve is stuck.

2: Remove the governor cover, drivers side rear of the transmission is a round metal cover, tap the cover in then remove the round snap ring, remove the cover, grab the governor and turn CW, it should not move/ turn. If so the gear is broken.

__________________
Steve Cattaneo www.mastertechtrans.com


03 SL500
02 MB AMG
87 560 SEC
87 300D
928S 83
85 928 S2 EURO

Cool,

What is the name of your MB shop and were is it located.

__________________
Steve Cattaneo www.mastertechtrans.com


03 SL500
02 MB AMG
87 560 SEC
87 300D
928S 83
85 928 S2 EURO

im not sure that it's real amg ... point is, you can try all the tricks you want, eventually you'll come to the dim realization that you need a new tranny... fork over the money and do the repair... that simple...