Thanks Yall,

It's history! I purchased a new switch today, came home, removed, cleaned, and replaced as Charles suggested. It worked like a charm, matter of fact seems I get shutdown much faster now. I'm now the proud owner of one valve for a key switch :) ($16.00). My list of "to-do's" is shrinking rapidly, and I'm enjoying my 300D all the more. I'm getting close to parking the beetle and making the Benz my primary transportation.

A little soap, I make my living doing computer related tasks, I've never had a car that I've been so involved with, THANKS to you guys, I'm really enjoying this to no end, and I think this is a result of the wealth of knowledge via this forum.

tnx,
jeric

You're gonna be a DIY yet
 

Greetings Jeric,

Glad to hear that all turned out well for you on your vacuum problem. You'll most likely find out in a small amount of time that this forum can and will save you money on the repairs of your beloved Benz if you're willing to test out a few troubleshooting ideas so those of us that have either had the same problem,(I get my share, trust me) or those that just know because they know the total workings of these oil burners. Personally, I am still trying to work through a suspension noise on the front left of the vehicle as well as wandering effect I just recently developed, and hopefully I can spend some time this weekend looking into the problem further. Just more knowledge to gain for the next person that may have the same problem in the future.
Any more problems just post and I'm sure someone will pick up on possible solutions to help you out.

Charles

Hi Charles;


Today, I am happy as a pig in s#@t!!!! Last night, I put all the misc parts back on my car, took it out for a test drive, and wallah, all of my transmission (crazy shifting patterns) seem to have disappeared! I'm thinking, when I cleaned up the valve on the key switch, and replace the rubber couplers between the vac hoses and valve (these couplers were really bad, dry rotted, with little cracks throughout), as well as various other couplers under the hood that serviced vacuum lines, that doing so provides a sufficient amount of vacuum to the transmission to work properly. Does this make sense? And too, when I turn the key off to turn off the car, it now stops IMMEDIATELY. I don't fully understand the role that vacuum plays on the car, but, none the less the results of these efforts is soooo pleasing.

Again, thanks for the support from everyone, the acquired knowledge since I've joined this forum really makes me enjoy my car.

tnx,
jeric

Great to have another satisfied customer
 

Greetings Jeric,

The wonder of the Benz is such that almost anyone can work on these tanks. It may take a little getting use to how they designed this ancient machine, but after that it's all down hill. Why did Benz use vacuum instead of let's say electric to operate mechanical items. Don't know for sure but just guessing I'd say it was a combination of simplicity and cost effecient, not to mention the added drain on the battery that they would be adding and all the wire that it would entail. I didn't understand it at first either, but now see their reasoning and simplicity in their design that works. Hope you have carefree miles before the next repair.

Charles