New here! Max. 220d auto Speed problem. Early shifting and no kickdown problems:(

[Dubmd]

Hey guys I'm new from houston tx.
Just purchased a pretty nice in shape 1973 220d automatic.
I test drove the car when I bought it. It drove fine. Only issue was that it felt like the speed would max out at about 60-65mph.
On the last half of the trip home the shifting seemed to be a little early.
Going into 4th at 30mph.
And after that the speed would be governed at 35-40mph.
And then when coming to a stop the car would die.
Sort of felt like it wasn't shifting back into first.
Doesn't happen everytime but I'd say every 6th stop I'd idle at.
So that's my dilemma. I checked the fluids and they seem fine. Replaced fuel filters, and adjusted the shift points too.
But no change. There is also no kickdown.
I'd say it could be the switch but idont know why the speed is being governed so low.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Dubmd]

Also the start switch does not shut the car off. When I pulle the know it turns it on but won't turn the car off. The cable seems to be mangled a little bit so I assume it needs a new cable. I have to manually press the shut off lever to turn the car off.
Could that have anything to do with my problems?

[Dubmd]

anything guys?

[daw_two]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

I thought of a couple of things, but first things first. You might have better luck in the Vintage forum because it's for cars 1979 and older. There's only a few w115 owners that I can think of....who hang out here.....but they also visit the Vintage Forum. They are in this forum because they also have a w123, w124, w126, etc. I'm going to ask a moderator to move your thread over to the Vintage forum.

Secondly, you might want to go to UserCP and add Houston, TX in your Profile location. It helps because your location will be on your posts.

Third tip --- put your car in your signature and WHEN (not if) you get more than one, be sure we know which car you are posting about.

Okay --- If your w115 220D Gorilla Knob is connected to the engine the same way my 190D Fintail was.....there are 3 little rubber double ended threaded isolators. If those break, then the cable is not secured to the engine, so when you push the knob in, it won't move the shutoff lever correctly. I had this issue with my Fintail.

Again, welcome to the forum and help keep these old beasts on the road.

[Shortsguy1]

Assuming the engine isn't thrashed, the top speed should be around 80. If you already changed the fuel filters, you should check the tank strainer to see if it is clogged. Some suggest that you briefly swap the fuel lines (assuming you have a full-ish tank), so that you drive with the outlet temporarily the input. This is a quick test to see if the strainer is causing your problems.

At low throttle, mine also shifts into 4th at relatively low speed. Does yours do this shift regardless of pedal position?

First gear is a little like a unicorn. Rumored to exist, but nobody is sure. Kidding about that. But it is rarely used. Most normal accels will start you in 2nd. I believe this is how they were intended to work.

My kickdown also doesn't work. So I am no help there.

Good luck.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by Dubmd

Hey guys I'm new from houston tx.
Just purchased a pretty nice in shape 1973 220d automatic.
I test drove the car when I bought it. It drove fine. Only issue was that it felt like the speed would max out at about 60-65mph.
On the last half of the trip home the shifting seemed to be a little early.
Going into 4th at 30mph.
And after that the speed would be governed at 35-40mph.
And then when coming to a stop the car would die.
Sort of felt like it wasn't shifting back into first.
Doesn't happen everytime but I'd say every 6th stop I'd idle at.
So that's my dilemma. I checked the fluids and they seem fine. Replaced fuel filters, and adjusted the shift points too.
But no change. There is also no kickdown.
I'd say it could be the switch but idont know why the speed is being governed so low.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

On the passenger side of the transmission...
There is a lever arm..
A thrust rod coming from the engine is attached to the arm..
The connection has a bushing, washer, cotter pin...
Odds are 80-100% the bushing is gone.

You must inspect all of the linkage, with a helper moving from full throttle to zero throttle.

This is to verify full movement/travel and response = no binding, damaged pivot brackets, damaged bushings or pivot pins.

******************************************

Rebuild parts for the automatic floor shifter assembly:

On the bottom of floor shift lever there is a bushing (common failure) MB# 1159920210

Moving up this lever there are two (top hat shaped) plastic bushings (common failure) MB# 1152671250

Moving up to the spring loaded (left/right) pivot connection there are two plastic bushings (common failure) MB# 1152670950

******************************************

The rod connecting shift lever to transmission has two clips (common disassembly failure) MB# 0009944160

******************************************

The transmission shift lever has a bushing (common failure) MB# 1159920210

########################################


.





.

[Dubmd]

thanks guys!
ill check all the shifter assembly out this weekend.
do you guys really think a couple bushings will lower the max speed though?

[whunter]

Originally Posted by Dubmd

thanks guys!
ill check all the shifter assembly out this weekend.
do you guys really think a couple bushings will lower the max speed though?

This thread will be educational and fun for you.

Welcome to the fleet 1976 W115.114 "300D" dark Green


.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by whunter

On the passenger side of the transmission...
There is a lever arm..
A thrust rod coming from the engine is attached to the arm..
The connection has a bushing, washer, cotter pin...
Odds are 80-100% the bushing is gone.

You must inspect all of the linkage, with a helper moving from full throttle to zero throttle.

This is to verify full movement/travel and response = no binding, damaged pivot brackets, damaged bushings or pivot pins.

.

To answer your private message:

The shift throttling rod parts are:

bushing
MB# 1102770550

washer
MB# 000125006449

cotter pin
MB# 000094002018

The replacement ball socket for the forward end of the rod is

ball socket
MB# 0009918822

******************************************





.

[Dubmd]

so the bushing was missing. went to a local parts store and rigged up a bushing that ended up fitting perfectly!
its running great now!
still shifts a little early but i still need to adjust that rod more.
thanks for the help again!
ill post photos up of the car soon