I tested my car yesterday even though the burned out instrument cluster was missing . Since it provides information mostly I carefully cut the wires and killed the circuit at the fuse box.
During the engine replacement I drained the engine, torque converter, and cooler. I replaced the filter. I put Dexron Mercon III ATF back in, 7 quarts at least.

I put the car in gear. It was a little slow moving but I guess it took time for the torque converter to fill.

I drove the car for 30 minutes. It ran fine and the transmission shifted smoothly. I came home and parked it

30 minute s later, I restarted the engine and shifted and the car wouldnt even move. I think the tranny is shot. I checked the shifter linkage and its fine. Why would a tranny fail like this? I would think it should have failed immediately upon my driving the car...

Finally what does the big electrical plug on the driver side of the trans do? I think it has ...like 5 pins...the plastic snap lock isnt there so it may have come loose..

You sure do have some kind of luck.

That plug is the neutral safety switch. i.e. keeps you from starting it in gear and also is what turns on your backup lights.

Does it feel like nothing but neutral when you attempt to put it in gear?

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

while disconnecting the transmission cooler lines you run anextreme risk of dislodging any metal chips stuck in the lines from a previous failure. This is probably how I ruined a pretty good rebuilt transmission several years back (which is the main reason I bought my parts car). When I rebuilt my current engine, I blew through the cooler lines with compressed air. Then I looked inside. There was a semi-solid plug of chips that allowed air to pass I went nuts cleaning those metal tubes, replaced the flex lines, flushed the radiator cooler as best I could and installed a screened bolt in the transmission return line.

I sure hope it's something simple with yours, maybe a linkage issue?

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

What are the chances its just the Plug come loose? Thats what a coworker also said.
Well I do have some lousy luck and its okay, this is an old car. But I do love it and I like fixing things~~

It must be something simple. Heck you drove it five minutes before.
WIth the car on stands or ramps, have someone shift from P - R - D - S - L a few times, while you watch from underneath. Check the bolt that attaches the shifter lever to the box.
A loose plug will prevent starting & reverse lights from operating. It cannot prevent shifting.
Please keep us informed.

__________________
Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

Carrameow,

Have yhou checked the transmission fluid level?

P E H