Hello,

Remove the tranmission pan and check to see if you have any parts or debris in it.

Sometimes the valve body bolts come loose and the gasket blows or begins to leak causing shift problems.

When you get it fixed work on the solenoid. Use plenty of penetrant to free its linkage up. It will upshift and downsift smoother and you will have an awsome passing gear.

Recently found a nice 250SE at the local "Pick and Pull" It had the same auto tranny as yours. It was half price day so I removed the virgin cylinder head, entire fuel injection system including the injection pump, the rare oil cooler system (optional on 230SLs), the early acrylic heater levers (don't fall apart like the black rubber ones), the "051" distributor and a few other items for about $100.00. I noticed that the automatic tranny was clean and had the Mercedes factory rebuilt tag on it. On half price week end the tranny would have cost me $40.00. Had to leave but intended on returning in the morning, but never made it till a few days later. Car was gone crushed! :=(

__________________
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1964 220SE Rally (La Carrera Panamericana someday)
1966 Unimog 404s (Swedish Army)
1969 300SEL 6.3 (sold)
1969 280SL Pagoda
1973 280SEL 4.5
1974 450SLC FIA Rally car (standard trans)
1982 300D turbo (winter driver)
1986 560SEC
1989 Unimog FLU419 (US Army)
1991 300TE (wife)
2002 SLK 32 AMG (350 hp)