delayed trans engagement on W126

[126nut]

I think I may have mentioned it already but my 89 420SEL still has the slow engagement syndrome. Park to drive, reverse to drive and so on. I did a complete fluid and filter change and found the pan to be clean, 129K on the clock and as far as I can see it has never been touched. Fluid was a bit dark and stinky but no bits and pieces in the pan like I have seen on one of my other W126's. Doesn't slip and shifts pretty decent, maybe a bit of flare though.

Anyhow, I ran across an article that described a solution to my exact problem which I will try to post here, if I am lucky. It deals with replacing a broken pressure regulator valve spring in the valve body, a seemingly easy repair. The spring supposedly breaks and winds into itself making the tranny lose line pressure.

Have any of ya'll seen this happen??