Shift problems after installing new vacuum pump
 

I have a 1982 300d turbo and just installed a new vacuum pump and now the trans. won't shift into drive..... it wil go first ,second and thats it.........it just keeps winding...........I just bought this car and am trying to learn about diesels.........Thanks in advance for any help I recive............

I would check a few things.

Try adjusting the bowden cable. It is attached to to the top of the valve cover. It is a cable with a red rubber boot on it. It can be turned and it adjusts the shift points. This probably won't help.

Also do a search on the forum for the linkage involved with the gear selector. It could have broken bushings.

Are you having any other vacuum realated problems?
Doorlocks not functioning.
The engine not shutting off.
Etc..

I don't see how vac would prohibit the drive selector. If you really think it's vac related, try unhookiung the vac line to the transmission. If that doesn't change anything, it's more than likely in your shift linkage (which I would say is your prob right off the bat). Try pulling the shifter past drive (into S or whatever), then tweek it into D.

If I unplug the trans. switchover valve it shifts...does not shift right but it does shift....but does not down shift right...thanks......will check linkage......

door locks not working....... If I unplug the trans. switchover valve it shifts...does not shift right but it does shift....but does not down shift right...thanks......will check linkage......

I think I misunderstood. Will it shift into Drive at the shifter? If so, it will actually shift through gears, right? Just not all of them? Will it shift through the higher gears if you let off the pedal a bit? If it will, you may have to adjust the vac modulator (located on the transmission). Do you own a vac pump (as in a hand tool)?

Could this be a job for Trans X?

I've never used it myself but others seem to have had good results.

I wouldn't think this is a vac problem; as far as I know the vac is only there to dampen the shifts and does not impact whether they occur or not. I wonder if this could have something to do with a varnish buildup in the valve body. That's what made me think of Trans X.

You might want to do a search on Trans X, Mr. Fix it.

Also...what is the trans switchover valve? Perhaps in my ignorance of this gizmo I'm missing the cause of the problem entirely.

I've heard the EGR switches on top of the valve cover refered to as this.

I was told it was the white vacuum valve on top of the injector pump end next to the firewall.......I will change the trans. filter and see if it helps......thanks....

Ah, OK. Disconnecting that white valve shouldn't cause it not to shift to a certain gear, I don't believe, so I would think your disconnection of it was unrelated to the fact that it then shifted into third or fourth, or whatever gear it was. I would also guess that your recent vac pump work is purely coincidental to the issues you're having as I don't think they're vacuum related.

Also, I would think your shifts should have been clunkier without that white valve (I think it's actually called the white bleeder valve) connected. If they weren't and if they just tend to be clunky, you might have a vacuum leak somewhere.

Changing the fluid and filter is always a good idea when your tranny is doing strange things, it would seem, so that's an excellent place to start. Have you checked your fluid level? Trans fluid at an improper level has been known to cause strange things.

Hopefully it's a relatively simple issue. Good luck sorting it all out.

I changed the fulid and filter and it WORKED........shifts great now .........
many THANKS to all who helped.......GREAT WEB SITE....really god to have someone to bounce ideas off of...THANKS EVERYBODY............mr_fix-it

Fabulous!

Great to hear.