1988 420 sel is slow to downshift when i floor it to pass. it will kick in and fly set you back in your seat, it just takes longer than most automatics i have driven. anybody know why this is like this?

There is a slide adjustment for the transmission cable located behind the aircleaner. You can try adjusting that to see if it makes a difference. This also helps if your car is upshifting too early. Make sure you mark it first so you can put it back if you have to.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

This is also called the bowden cable, in case you are doing a search. It's pretty easy to adjust. Made my 380SE much much peppier!

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Yes, it's the kickdown cable. When you adjust it longer (and that what you need) it will drop shift sooner and when you adjust it shorter it will up/down shift after a longer time and speed. Be aware that playing with not knowing what you are doing may miss align the shifting time. Just once you finished aligning it and you are happy with the shifting drive in a speed of 100KM/H the without acceleration manually move the transmission handle to the 3rd gear, here it must respond and downshift by force to the 3rd gear. If it didn't respond then you need to realigne it.

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Master Computer Engineer, A+, Network+, MCP/MCSA/MCSE 4/2k/2k3 - Messaging, MCTS, MCITP, MCT, Brainbench, ICDL and starting Ph.D

380SE 1984 <------- Totaled by flipping accident
300SE 1988 <------- Sold
Volvo S70 2000 <---- 4 family
Opel Omega 2002 <-- 4 family
560SEC 1989 <------ Sold
560SEL 1990 <------ Sold
560SEL 1991 <------ 4 my mother
560SEL 1989 <------ Sold
600SEL 1992 <------ Current

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