Transmission not shifting to 2nd gear
 

Hi. I'm glad I found this site. Hope you guys/girls can help me out. I have a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL that I am fixing up because I bought it for a steal! However, after replacing the radiator, thermostat and fixing power windows, now the car won't shift into second gear. It is an automatic trans and I can go about 25 mph but it won't shift to let me go faster. I checked the transmission fluid but I don't think it has been changed in awhile. Any suggestions? Any help is very much appreciated!

Check the threads. Period 300e's would not up shift due to the governor drive failing and losing pressure. If this is the same set up, it can be observed by removing the left rear disc cover to reveal the flyball governor. Jack up a rear wheel and kick it with your foot and observe the governor. It should turn with the driveshaft rotation. If not, it is a transmission pull and diagnostic to see what broke the $3 drive gear. It could be other things, but if it never up shifts, then check the governor.

Check the kickdown button under the gas pedal - often gets stuck, keeping the car in first gear.

Don't know if this car still has the mechanical linkage between throttle and transmission. If so, it will cause all kinds of weirdness when it's out of whack.

Michael