240D - Need Help Please
 

My car is a 1983 240D. The car has been maintained to an extremely high standard by the original owner and continued by myself. I purchased the car with 90k miles it now has 155k.

My problem is my transmission. It is an automatic. I had recently a 30k mile service. Here is the weird part. The transmission leaked slightly and shifted strange. It would prematurely upshift and downshift between 3rd and 4th. Now after the service good news - no leak. However now the transmission revs to the maximum shift point in each gear. It shifts so hard it as if I have been rear ended. Also in 4th gear won't engage unless I remove my foot from the fuel peddle.

I did a search and it seems tranmssion issues could be related to vaccum issues. Not sure I have any. My power door looks work fine no issues.

What up? Any and all feedback is appreciated.

I love my car however my wife will make make me sell it if this is major $$$ to fix.

do you have a mityvac tool? If not get a hold of one. Harbor freight has a US general copy for about $25. You can then start to take readings on your vac lines and see if your trans is sufficient or has a leak somewhere, and work back wards from the mod fitting back to the vac source to see first if the line is leaking. If that's good, possibly adjust mod. "T" fitting. but read up on this stuff more. I'm just learning all about it myself with my son's 240.

Check to make sure your kickdown switch is not stuck in the 'down' position. Also check for a stuck bowden cable. Either could cause your symptoms.

Wow that was fast! Thanks for the replies. I will check into these. The kickdown switch where is that located? Suppose my mechanic would know. I am not the most mechanically inclined. The car is perfect in all other respects.

Boy do I wish I had a manual transmission.

ditto on the kickdown button......behind the accelerator.

I don't think the 240D has a bowden cable. Check under the hood and make sure all vacuum lines are connected and were not pulled loose from their fittings by your mechanic.

John

sounds like there is no vaccum to the trans.

HI All,

I thought I would report back and let you know it is not the kick down button. So next will proceed with the vaccum suggestion. Is that a simple fix?

I really hope that is it as I believe abrubt shifting at the maximum shift point is doing the neither the trans, drive train or engine any good. Certainly does not help with fuel economy.

Thanks again for the input and will report back.

Closure
 

Well thanks to all for your suggestions. It was indeed a vaccum problem. My mechanic replaced a small plastic bit under the hood (there are two of them and he needs to order another) and the shifting is night and day. So no more transmission leak and it shifts good I am very happy with the old gal.

Did he replace the plastic vacuum valve lever arms that are located under the cover mounted on the valve cover? You could easily have done that. http://www.dieselgiant.com/trannyleverreplace.htm

John

I'm glad you got your shifting situation taken care of, but now you need to get some scene control!!!!;) Fix the situation with the wife now.......

before it is too late:(.