This may be a little long, but I'm going to try to document all the conditions and symptoms of my 95 E320's transmission.

Last spring I had the reverse clutch rings, filter, etc replaced in my transmission. It was making a rattling noise in reverse that took a while to diagnose properly. Had the work done by a guy that was referred to me as a MB transmission expert. I do think he knew his stuff. He diagnosed and replaced the clutches without issue for about $600.

Almost immediately after the transmission work I began the process of removing, rebuilding and replacing the hydraulic cylinders on the convertible top. I ran into some obstacles and the car was offline for about six weeks.

Once the roof was back on and running I began to notice intermittent shifting issues. (Just to clarify, the car has a five speed automatic. Normal conditions, the car stars from a standstill in second gear.) As a percentage, I'd say about 5% of the time, the transmission seems to "stick" in third gear. This occurs during normal, easy acceleration as well as more rapid acceleration. I can rev to 5,000 rpms or higher and it doesn't shift. I can usually slow to about 1,500 rpms and nurse it to shift. Occasionally during this condition I stop the car, like at a traffic light, then proceed. Sometimes the transmission will shift normally after stopping, sometimes not. Also, I've noticed when slowing down when the gear is stuck in third, the transmission makes a hard downshift as I'm coming to a stop. Shifts from 2nd to 3rd, 4th to 5th seem normal, if not occasionally a bit harsh.

When this first occurred, I contacted the transmission repair guy. He suspected that some of the clutch material had made its way into the valve body, and that we needed to rebuild the rest of the transmission. I suspect something less expensive, or at least I hope for it, like vacuum lines. I hoped that driving would resolving the issue, since it's a second car. BTW, it has about 137,000 miles on it.

The most curious thing to me is the intermittent occurrence. Seems like if something was wrong, it would be wrong all the time. I've done lots of searches, here and on other forums, but there aren't many transmission problems that are documented all the way to resolution. I have checked the kickdown switch - pulled out the carpet and trimmed where it might be binding, blew some compressed air into it, and a quick shot of switch cleaner. I know that's not a sure fix though.

I'll be talking to him again in the next day or two. Meanwhile, if you have any suggestions or similar experiences, I'd appreciate your input. I'll get back on here with the resolution as soon as it's worked out. Thanks.

Are you sure about this five speed thing? Your car came from the factory with a 4 speed transmission. This would make your second gear start actually a first gear start, which sounds more plausible.

Deanyel, Yep, I'm sure. I've counted the shifts (4 shifts if I use manual first gear start) , but there was a guy at a tranny shop that thought it was a four. Called the dealer and they looked it up and confirmed five. I can't speak for all, but mine's a five.

A dealer wouldn't be able to look up a 1995 E320 cabriolet and confirm that it was a five speed. There was such thing on a U.S. 124 cabriolet or any other 124 model. All U.S. 124 automatics were four speed from the factory.

It's a 4 speed, a 4 speed was only offered and that is what you have..
post your VIN and I'll run it through EPC

My cabrio did the same thing when I got it. Stuck in third, fourth did not exists.

I removed the valve body, cleaned it out, one spring at a time, etc etc. Put it back and it worked perfectly.

WDBEA66E2SCxxxxxx

Thanks. I'll probably edit this out afterward. Not sure what the risk is in putting it out for the world to see, but there's bound to be some reason to not do so.

I'll be interested to see what you find, but I know damn well it shifts four times atfer starting in first. I've had the car ten years. I read somewhere that there were a few five speed transmissions put in these cars. I understand there were five speeds in later model E320s - whatever it was that came after W124. May be they put that transmisson in some of the last W124s?

I'm starting to believe the valve body is the culprit in this case also. Not sure I'm up to the task of cleaning myself though. Glad it worked for you.

According to the data card for your VIN, your car was delivered from the factory with a 722.369 transmission. That's a 4 speed automatic. I suppose your car could have been modified, but that would be extremely unlikely.....

Here's a PDF of the MB data card.

(attachment link removed as a courtesy to initial poster)

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

Wow. I should have my PeachParts membership revoked for stupidity. The original window sticker says 4 speed also.

Just came from under the car. The transmission number is the same as the data card. Drove around for 20 minutes. It's a four speed. Thanks to everybody for pointing out my automotive and mathematical deficiencies.

So my shift issue is from second to third. The guy that replaced my reverse clutches prefers not cleaning the valve body. He'd rather replace with a rebuilt one. Should I try to find someone who will try to clean it out? Thanks again.

Thanks for this. Nice to have.

If the transmission was recently removed/reinstalled to replace the B3 friction discs, the bowden cable/upshift delay actuator would also have been disconnected/reconnected. If during that process the adjustment was altered, that would have an effect on your shift points. This is fairly easy to fiddle with, might be worth a try before committing to a transmission swap. Another possibility is that the upshift actuator on the transmission end of the cable is not properly installed. There is a hook that must engage a bellcrank on the inside of the transmission case. It is possible to install the actuator without properly engaging the hook. (ask me how I know this......) Also, the actuator receives a vacuum signal to delay upshift on a cold start. A defect in this part of the system might also cause adverse shifting......

You can test to see if the hook is engaged by removing the cable at the throttle actuator end. Pull slightly on the cable, if it "springs back" the hook is engaged.....

I attached a picture of what this bowden cable/upshift delay actuator looks like.

Keep in mind that I am just a hobbiest mechanic........

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

Oops, picture didn't upload. Here's a link instead:

PeachParts FastLane Mercedes Parts Store

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

Status report: I've been slowly adjusting the Bowden cable over the last few days. I hesitate to say the shift problem is gone, because it's been intermittent: May have turned the adjustment nut two full revolutions counterclockwise so far. I can tell a difference. Will update as it becomes more certain whether I've hit the sweet spot in the adjustment.

J.M., do you want to add a cabriolet to your collection of W124s? Thank you for your suggestions.

Funny you should ask. I've been looking for a cabriolet off and on for the last 2-3 years.

Any chance yours is pearl black or brilliant silver with a grey interior?

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

.......Pearl black with a black interior......... Darn the luck.

__________________
1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles