Newbie w/Trans. Problem

[corohio1977]

Hello all...I'm Corey & new to the forum.

I have an 89 560SEL with 126.2k on the clock. Yesterday, as I was driving back to East Lansing from Cincinnati, I developed a transmission problem: The car starts out 1st gear will hold onto 2nd gear, occasionally go to 3rd but RARELY 4th. I tried manually shifting from a stop but when doing so, it would sometimes shift to 4th but kick down to 3rd. I tried to 'gun' the motor to force a downshift then upshift but that did nothing (but it was fun to see just how powerful it still is after 20 yrs.) and to make matters worse; it got to the point where it would only shift into 2nd gear. I pulled over to let it sit on the highway for a bit then attempted to 'limp' home. Oddly, it shifted to 3rd on its own but once off the highway, back to 2nd only.

I recently had the transmission serviced @ local independent specialist here in Lansing who comes highly recommended. He went over the car and advised that in addition to the aforementioned transmission service, the only other item needed is an "idle speed control" which he says regulates the idle (current resting idle is around 1200 rpm instead of 600-750).

I checked the AT fluid this morning, it shows currently on the 1st mark (I'm told it should be @ the 2nd) which he thinks there may be a line/hose that may have deteriorated over the 70mph plus drive to Cincy - to his credit, this is the first time that the car has done any MAJOR travel in 20yrs, it truly was a grocery/church, <150mi trip car.


If anyone has any clues, helpful hints, etc., it's GREATLY appreciated. Until then, it's back to driving the MINI.

Thanks!!