93 190e 2.6 Auto Trans Prob- All gears are like neutral! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chuni959 · #1 08-26-2007, 03:21 PM

Ok so im driving going 30 and suddenly my rpms shoot way up like i shifted into neutral. I pull over and put it in park. Park engages just fine and locks the driveshaft. I turn it off, then back on a cycle through all the gears and every single gear is like neutral! So i check for leaks, nothing. Check the fluid level and it is really high on the dip stick, but it has never over flown or anything. I just got done putting a new 2.6 engine in and i used my old tranny. I filled the TC before installation, cycled through the gears while adding ATF, changed pan gasket and filter.
Any idea what could cause it to behave like this?
THANKS

chuni959 · #2 08-26-2007, 04:04 PM

only thing i can think of is that i used full synthetic fluid... not sure if that would cause something huge like this to happen

Oracle12345 · #3 08-26-2007, 04:57 PM

vacuum leaks at the modulator on the tranny is where I would first start. It could be something internal which means its cost you some money. It also could the modulator on the tranny. to get at it you are gonna have to remove the tranny. I haved a removed a tranny from a 91 190E 2.6 and the hardest part is getting it out, installing isnt so hard. You will need many extensions and a breaker bar to losen them up.

chuni959 · #4 08-26-2007, 05:11 PM

Yeah, i just took a look at that elbow connector on the trans. Seemed ok, hopefully its not loose. My first thought was vac too, however i thought that when you have a vac leak, it just doenst shift out of certain gears and reverse doesnt work. I dont think a vac leak would take out your entire gear selection.

I drained a half quart of fluid and ran the magnetic retrieval tool through it. No metal shavings. Just a strange swirl pattern when you stir it. Could be the old fluid not mixing well with the new synthetic?

las769 · #5 08-26-2007, 06:29 PM

vacuum nor the modulator control the trans to make it engage they
only control shifting. a bad pump or a valve body can do what you are talking about

chuni959 · #6 08-26-2007, 07:33 PM

ok i pulled the cooler hoses at the rad. The upper was dry, we started the car and nothing came out. The lower had some residual fluid in it, however once that drained we started the car and nothing came out. The vacuum line to the intake manifold is dry, no tranny fluid

Matt L · #7 08-26-2007, 07:50 PM

It sounds like you lost the pump.

chuni959 · #8 08-26-2007, 07:57 PM

The pump? I assume this is inside the tranny and expensive to fix, yes?

Oracle12345 · #9 08-26-2007, 09:57 PM

Yeah your problem is internal and will cost you a few bucks. I had something similar to my 91 190E and would shift out of 2nd. The modular was working and no vacuum leaks. turned out to be something internal. A rebuilt tranny was cheaper so I went with the rebuilt.

myarmar · #10 08-26-2007, 10:06 PM

Make sure the torque converter still connected to the engine. Did you torque these bolts after engine replacement?
Mike

chuni959 · #11 08-27-2007, 12:52 AM

yeah i torqued them really good. Im going to drop the pan tomorrow and see if the filter or anything is clogged. Is the tranny pump a DIY or shop material? I assume you have to drop the trans to do it either way? I got a beater car with a great trans i can use if need be. thanks for the responses guys. Any tips on pulling the tranny with the engine still in? I just did a whole engine swap, so im pretty comfortable but any tips would be nice!

Oracle12345 · #12 08-27-2007, 10:23 AM

to remove the tranny you will need many extenisons to reach the bolts on top of the tranny. I suggest a break bar as well. I also suggest having an someone help guide the socket on the bolts on top since you cant really see them to well from below the car.

david s poole · #13 08-27-2007, 10:40 AM

sounds like pump,easy check---check fluid on dipstick with engine off then start engine and try again----level should go down if pump working.could also be one of the ears on torque converter.

chuni959 · #14 10-24-2007, 01:31 PM

are you KIDDING ME! It happened again
UGHHH My car just ate through 2 trannies in a week- car is all stock HELP
i HAVE to be doing something wrong here guys