i just want to say thank you all for the responses. after i sat him down and fully interrogated him, he desribed the part as a thin metal plate with a cannon plug on it.

as far as the timeline, he drained the pan, just a few liters, and drove it to a local place for a refill. shortly after, it started the hard shift. took it to the dealership for a full flush and fill and the hard shift continued. finally replaced the part, and when he got it and started it up, nothing engaged. just drifted like all gears were nuetral. they pushed it back into its parking spot, and bought a new car.

he is offering it to me for what the junkyard will give him for scrap, 1200. the causes the three of you listed sound really plausible, so i think i am going to get this car. thank you so much again!

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91 300D, 194,000m
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