My car has been shifting odd lately. When driving along no matter what gear the car just seems to downshift on its own. I usually have to punch it and then back off a little for the car to upshift. Does this sound like a bad kickdown switch?

Thank you for your help.

It looks like I may be searching for a new car after this problem is corrected. Problems just seem to be too often as of late. However, I Guess that's to be expected for a car with 280,000 + miles.

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

You have a bad kick down solenoid. Just replace it.

Is that the same thing as the switch or is the solenoid seperate?

Thanks for your help

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

The switch is under the gas pedal, the problem is the solenoid; located on the passenger side, rear of the transmission under the tail housing. It is Easy to change.

I've seen similar symptoms from two other causes as well.

Start with adjusting the bowden cable - make it a little bit longer. The bowden cable tells the transmission what the throttle position is - closed, wide open, somewhere in between. The transmission in turn uses this input to decide when to upshift - 2K RPM, redline, somewhere in between. There is an adjuster for the bowden cable, try turning it in - slackening the cable - to see if it has an effect. On my old 123 car the bowden cable liked to tighten up over time, eventually the car would hang in third gear.

The other cause I've seen is really wacky, but it happened in one of my 124 cars. What is the condition of your battery? I had a nearly dead Optima at one time - it wouldn't take or hold a charge. The alternator/regulator turned the voltage waaaayyy up in an attempt to charge it, and all kinds of crazy stuff happened. One thing was the transmission hung in third gear - the kickdown relay was getting triggered. (It also caused the a/c compressor to run in EC mode.) Replacing the battery cured everything. Strange but true.

- JimY

Thanks guys for your help.

I tried unplugging what I believe to be the solenoid. It was at the rear of the transmission with one wire going in. After unplugging it the car still shifted the same (eratic). I also tried disconnecting the kickdown switch itself with no luck.

When I traced the line from the kickdown switch it lead to a point next to the shifting lever on the transmission. Could this possibly be the solenoid on my car?

I have also checked fuse no. 7 and the fluid level with no luck.

Anything else I should try?

Thanks again,

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

That is the kick down solenoid. The number one cause of a UN commanded down shifts, is a defective kick down solenoid. The key here is the transmission is dropping down two gears; I would start by changing with the KD solenoid. It usually has a mechanical failure. Disconnecting the wire is not going to fix it, the solenoid may have an internal mechanical failure. You will have too change both pieces; the washer goes against the case.

Thanks ...That helps a lot !!

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

UPDATE-- I first changed out the coil part of the solenoid since this was the only part my MB dealer had in stock. I't didn't correct the problem however I just changed the injector-like bolt that runs through the center and everthing seems to be working correctly so far. Thanks for all your help... I'll keep you posted.

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

Well guys It's back...After a week of pure driving pleasure it's started again. Any ideas??? Is it possible one or both of the parts pictured above have gone faulty?? I'm at my wits end.

Thanks again,

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

I had a no-start yesterday and jumped my fuel pump relay, which got me home. I noticed that the print on the top of the relay had the word "kickdown". Would this relay have anything to do with your problem?

__________________
87 300e (white/black; amg body kit)
88 300ce (red/cream; amg body kit)
93 300ce cabrio (white/blue/blue top)
93 300ce cabrio (black/grey/black top)
98 ml 320 (totaled @ 137,000 miles)
99 clk320 (black/grey/black top)

Did the injector have three o-rings on it? Remove the solenoid and look for any damage to the o-rings. Did you install the washer? Can you borrow another solenoid ?

C32,

The injector did have 3 o-rings. I did not install a washer, there wasn't one on the previous and I wasn't given one with the part. Would that make a difference?

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

Forgot to mention. The injector I removed from my car was showing wear. Lines around the body.

__________________
Brandon



2008 S550
1957 Dodge D100
1967 VW Microbus 21 Window
2001 Suburban
2004 Beach cruiser bicycle
-----------------GO DUKE!-----------------

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry 1776

This is why I have graying hair. The washer seals and and centers the solenoid, sometimes it sticks on the case. I would remove the solenoid and check for torn o rings, look for the washer you need it. The new solenoid could have gone bad. Do you have another Mb that you can borrow the solenoid from? As a test.