190e 2.3 automatic transmision gear adjustment - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jose · #1 03-12-2008, 04:53 AM

good day to all my 88 190e 2.3 automatic trnsmision has a problem with the shifting of gears it shift quite late. a mechanic told and showed me that it could be adjusted(but din't say how to). there is a adjustment beside the transmision on the driver side it has a plastic cover and the adjustment looks like a letter metal T that you are to pull it up the plastic housing with cuts and turn it. my question it that should i turn it clockwise or counter clocwise? what i need to know is that to make the shifting of the gears more faster and quickly.

thanks
a reply and instruction on how to do it would be highly appriciated

tvpierce · #2 03-12-2008, 07:35 AM

What your tech pointed out to you is the vacuum modulator -- it adjusts shift "quality" or the harshness/smoothness of the shifting. The problem you describe is not shift quality.

The bowden cable is what adjusts when the tranny shifts. It's under the hood, and linked to the throttle cable.

Search "bowden cable" and you will come up with photos/diagrams of the location of the adjustment mechanism, and detailed instructions on making the adjustment.

It's quite easy, but it requires a bit of trial and error.

Good luck.

jose · #3 03-12-2008, 08:53 AM

thanks tvpierce
i did search it as for your suggestion but unfortunately i can't find and come across any pictures of instruction on how to adjust it.

if it's not too much to ask can you tell or send me the web site or address of the bowden cable with the picture and instructions or the one that your telling me

thanks a lot

deanyel · #4 03-12-2008, 10:26 AM

Adjusting shift timing and shift quality on a 722.4 - http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/722.3and722.416_transmission_adjustments.html

tvpierce · #5 03-12-2008, 07:04 PM

Jose,

First off, what year is your car?

Regardless of the year, yours will look a bit different than the one in the link that Deanyel provided. The instuctions should be the same though.

I have a pdf file of the procedure specific for the 201 (190E). Send me a PM with your email, and I'll send it as an attachment.

jp

jose · #6 03-13-2008, 08:04 AM

deanyel, the modulator adjustment look the same but the throttle cable and the side throttle i think is not the same on the pictures with the car

thanks a lot

Duram90e · #7 04-04-2008, 12:14 AM

i have the same problem...it wont shift till almost 5k or if i let up off the gas for a few seconds....i havea 87 16v

what do i look for to resolve the problem?

jose · #8 04-04-2008, 09:00 AM

i have adjusted the bowden cable. what i did was to lossen the cable first by turning the adjuster clockwise with more or less the cable extending 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch then turning the adjuster counter clockwise until the cable is tight with a minimum play (1 mm) and that's it got the right shifting i want.

duram90e may be you could adjust first the cable then check the vacum modulator if it needs adjustment too. (to vacum modulator turning clockwise would make it on a hard shifting mode, counterclockwise would make it smooth.)

Duram90e · #9 04-04-2008, 11:47 AM

ok so after all this time im driving it (its not my dd) and it finds 4th gear which it never had...and now it shifts throught all the gears great

wierd....