Hey guys,

This morning, I went to leave work, and so I started my car, backed up and put it into drive. when I go to an intersection, I accelerated, and my car shifted into second at like 20, and then into 3rd at like 30 and 4th at like 35. It is shifting really soft and fast. I pulled over and looked at the fluid and its not burned or anything. the cars just shifting really early and really fast. Weird thing is that when I put the shifter into 1 itll stay in 1 then go into 2nd, and in second itll go into third and d itll go into 4th, so I mean when I use the shifter and do it manually it pretty much works. Only reason I am worried is because even when I nail the throttle itll still shift into second at like 2300 rpms. Any ideas as to what may be going on?



Any help will be appreciated.

andy

What is your car? Might create a signature with the car/cars you have and then people will always know.

Try adjusting the bowden cable. There is a nut on top of the valve cover that is attached to a cable the drops down to the transmission. Turn the nut CCW when you are standing on the passenger's side and it should delay the shifts. This all assumes you have a bowden cable to adjust though.

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Also get under your car and take a look at the shifter linkage rod... the one that goes between the bottom-most lever of the shifter up to the lever that attaches to the side of the transmission. Pay particular attention to the plastic bushings on each end of this linkage rod and the adjustment lock-nut at one end of the rod. This could be a case of a failed bushing that has completely fallen out!
Get back to us on the results of this inspection.
Regards,

Im basically having the exact same problem with my tranny now too. all of a sudden it started shifting at 15/25/35. i didnt think i had a bowden cable on my 80 300d. guess ill have to give it a look over. lets us know what you find as well.

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1980 300D

vacum problem or bowden cable

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1983 Euro 240D 277K
2016 Mazda 6
Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Formers:
2012- Mazda 3
2007 Outlander- complete pile
1995 E300 Diesel 208K
2007 VW Passat 2.0T 63K SOLD
2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K
2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000
2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold
1984 300 turbo diesel 222K

Sudden change like that tells me it is probably a vacuum problem. Check your vacuum with a Mity Vac and look for a disconnected line.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

If the setup on the 300D is the same as my 80 300SD then I would first check the bowden cable (actually it is a rod on my car not a cable) and see if the rod is missing the bushing where it attaches to the lever on the passenger side of the transmission housing (toward the front of the transmission). My bushing was completely gone and the lever was not operating properly. It was causing the transmission to start off in 2nd gear and shift very early from 3rd to 4th. If all is tight and intact then move on to the vacuum part of the system.

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Jeremy
1979 300SD
1980 300SD (parts car)
1982 300SD (WVO conversion Frybrid Kit) SOLD

I have a cable setup, and with the adjuster backed all the way out there is still like an inch of side to side play int he cable. Could this be it?

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1983 300DT 284k miles. :-) "The Benzo"
1998 Mustang GT Custom 4.9 L engine.
1997 Dodge ram Pickup 5.9L