I have a 81 300SD (252,000 miles), I have tried adjusting the modulator to make the tranny shift softer. (clockwise=harder & counterclockwise=softer).
My question is that are there any consequences in adjusting the modulator to the very minimum level? (counterclockwise (one setting before the modulator key feels loose or moves freely)).

Thanks

Any time you have to go to the limit on one of the adjustments on anything it should make you wonder if there is a problem. Usually there is.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

What type of problems might come up, if I continue to have the modulator setting and the very minimum?

Thanks

Hi Benzmac,
where is the modulator located for 190E ?
My tranny shift a bit hard and thinking
to adjust it.
Thanks

On the drivers side of the under side of the tranny. It is located under a small black cap and is the shape of the letter T. Do not adjust more than 1 full turn (360 degrees) either way. Counter clockwise is softer.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Thanks Benzmac, Since I am the
second onwer, not too sure the
previous onwer have done this
before. else further adjustment
will definately more than 360 turn.
AL

Hi Benzmac,
Just got my modulator checked by my
mechanic, he measured the presure and
set it to 2.9 spec instead of 2.5
previously. Now, the car shift even harder.
Just wonder should I set back to 2.5 or lower to have a smoother ride ?
Thanks

I've read in newsgroups that hard shifting can be caused by lack of vacuum at the transmission modulator.

Since my car also seems to shift hard I want to check it but don't know where. Is it the line going to the plastic part with the cap or is there something else?

Nicolas

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1982 300D - http://members.xoom.com/nicodore/

Worked on my car this weekend and managed to make the transmission smoother. Here's how:

1. Got a vacuum check/hand-operated pump.

2. Checked vacuum holding in lines. One was the transmission modulator line (small all black line coming up from the driver's side at the rear of the engine) and it held vacuum perfectly.

3. Checked all the vacuum tube connections I could see. One rubber splitter was particularly bad, some oil on the tubes (I'll check that problem later...), so I used tiewraps on all the lines coming into it. The trans modulator line was plugged into it, so I guess that was a big part of the problem.

Ran the car and wow! It did make a difference. NOTE: as usual, it worked on mine, may not work on all...

Hoping this helps,

Nicolas