1987 260E Transmission Upshift Problem...

[saumil]

Hi,

The automatic transmission on my 1987 260E has stopped shifting up.

Before this happened, for approx. a year, the transmission was sticking on 2nd and could upshift to 3 by releasing the gas pedal at around 2000 rpm. Once in 3rd gear, there was no problem shifting to 4 OR shifting back down to 2 on deceleration. The down shifts and shift from 3 to 4 were reasonably smooth.

I have a question about the gear breaking possibility in the governor:

Is this a possibility for this car ? I believe the transmission is 722.409. Does this transmission have those plastic gears (that break) that have been described in various posts ?

I read it in one of the posts that if a gear broke, the speedometer will stop working. Is this true ? The reason I am asking is even though I think a gear break is the most likely possibility, my speedometer is still working. Now I have noticed that over the past year or two, the needle does not remain stable for low speeds.

I have checked the kickdown switch, it is fine, and driving without the terminal connected does not change anything. Can the kickdown solenoid still cause this problem without the terminals connected ?

I have not changed the oil and filter for quite some time and thought that would fix it, but one of the local mechanics told me that it is highly unlikely that a problem of no shift can be caused by bad filter or fluid or vaccum modulator. How true is this ? I am going to change these anyway over the weekend, but am trying to get other possibilities lined up as well.

Does anyone have a service manual for this transmission ? My MB service manual CD does not seem to have anything on transmission.

Also from the posts, it is clear that quite many things can be checked and repaired on this transmission without bringing it out of the car provided there is a MB experienced transmission mechanic involved. Does anyone know of one who knows these old MB transmissions in the Houston area ?

Any other possibilities ?

Thanks for your help,

Saumil