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  #1  
Old 06-29-2007, 01:32 PM
land sea air's Avatar
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124 shifting too early, too hard

after reading many threads about people with late shift or shift flaring problems I have become somewhat confused as to which adjustments do what and how to make said adjustments. My '88 300 E shifts fairly hard but more importantly it shifts far to early, ill be in 4th gear by 20mph under moderate load. The hard shifting I can live with unless over time it will hurt the car (which I doubt) however it's a PITA to drive with it shifting this early and it won't even kick down above 50 or 60 mph. Is this just a bowden cable adjustment or do I need to also adjust the modulator on the transmission? also I am not familiar with how to make either of these adjustments so any help on that as well would be much apreciated

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  #2  
Old 06-30-2007, 02:47 AM
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bump
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  #3  
Old 06-30-2007, 06:42 AM
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Adjusting the modulator valve should help control your shift point.
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  #4  
Old 06-30-2007, 07:34 AM
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Disclaimer - I am not an expert!

I am no expert, but I have been doing quite a bit of this for a couple of months now. My understanding is that in general the Bowden cable controls the shift point and the modulator adjusts the firmness of the shifts. The timing of the shifts, however, can also affect firmness a bit. That is why I originally started playing with the Bowden cable to see if I could get rid of a shift flair. In my case, I had to go after the modulator.

Anyway, the Bowden cable is easy to get to and easy to adjust with just your fingers. The cable is located right next to the throttle linkage right under the hood. You can simply turn a plastic nut that will tighten or loosen the cable to achieve earlier or later shifts. Just turn the nut and drive a little to see what happens. I started by making the cable tighter, until my car would almost not shift into 4th gear. It was like a race car, even with light throttle. The tighter cable simply tricks the car into thinking you are stomping on the gas pedal. What was my car thinking? Then I loosened the cable until I had it the way I thought it felt best.

The modulator is a pain to get to in the driveway, but I turned mine one full turn to firm up the shifts and get rid of a flair. It worked, but I am thinking about backing off a half turn to soften the shifts a little. I am just afraid that the firmness of the shift may hurt the transmission. I think a shift flair must also be bad for the transmission, so it is a bit of a balancing act. It is just a pain to get under the car in the driveway to get to the modulator and then take a ride and maybe have to go back under the car again.
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  #5  
Old 06-30-2007, 09:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksing44 View Post
My understanding is that in general the Bowden cable controls the shift point and the modulator adjusts the firmness of the shifts.
Exactly.

Also, I adjusted my modulator 1/2 turn. It firmed the shift up so much I had to back it off to only 1/4 turn.
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  #6  
Old 07-03-2007, 12:39 PM
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I adjusted the Bowden cable quite a bit and this seems to have helped a great deal, It feels like it could still use a little more adjustment but I don't the white nylon screw will turn any more... It's definitely to the point where I can live with it though. Thanks for your help guys
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  #7  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:10 AM
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Just picked up a pretty nice, indie euro-shop maintained 93 400E, for a good price. I test drove it the other day and it shifted fine, tonight when I pick it up, of course, it will not upshift until 4500 rpm OR unless I let off the accelerator completely. Incidentally, the ASR light is on and it wasn't when I test drove it. Throttle body was just replaced to fix that problem. Where should I look first? Car has 161k and a full service history.
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  #8  
Old 10-22-2008, 11:22 AM
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Bumping this thread

I am looking to try and find the modulator...



I managed to find the above picture^
Is that the adjustment screw shown? And where is this modulator?

I had a mechanic recommend to adjust it for me, but it shifts way too hard now to the point that it bangs when dropping gears and hangs at the top end before shifting. I don't know what he did....so I am looking to adjust it back to the way it was (I thought it was fine before). I just need to find the unit.
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  #9  
Old 10-22-2008, 11:37 AM
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Sun Valley has a nice write up - http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/722.3and722.416_transmission_adjustments.html It's on the driver's side of the transmission.
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  #10  
Old 10-22-2008, 11:44 AM
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go under the car and look up at the drivers side of the tranny. You will see where the diptstick goes down - just above here should be a white cap. Prise it off with a flat screwdriver and adjust the T piece inside. Put the cap back on and go for a drive.
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  #11  
Old 10-22-2008, 05:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deanyel View Post
Sun Valley has a nice write up - http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/722.3and722.416_transmission_adjustments.html It's on the driver's side of the transmission.
Awesome link thanks. I should be able to find it now.
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  #12  
Old 10-22-2008, 08:24 PM
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transmission shift points

reset the computer...works for me
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  #13  
Old 10-15-2013, 03:56 PM
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Old post but...

Shifting too early means the transmission bowden cable is too loose.
Shifting hard is too much (or less, not sure on valve) vacuum at modulator on left (driver side) of tranny (some are green, black, or white I think).
CCW the adjustment (T handle under plastic cap) for softer shifts.

Usually if it's too tight or shifting at high RPMs, adjusting to a looser setting would solve the hard shifts.
But unfortunately yours is the opposite, so modulator adjustment also.

By the way if you ever need a tranny rebuilt
send to Marc at:

Sun Valley Mercedes Transmissions, LLC
Rebuilt Mercedes Benz Automatic Transmissions

15468 Cabrito Road
Van Nuys, California 91406
Phone: 818 782 2300
www.sunvalleymercedes.com

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Last edited by EuroRash; 10-15-2013 at 05:42 PM.
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