transmission not kicking down

[VW1300]

In the year I've owned my '85 300D, the transmission has worked pretty well, but lately it doesn't always kick down into lower gear when I stomp on the accelerator. For instance, merging onto a freeway, I'll be cruising at 35 mph turning 2000 rpms. I press the accelerator to the floor, but the transmission won't downshift so my acceleration is very leisurely until the engine rpms increase and the turbo starts winding up. When I bought the car, it downshifted readily.

Is this serious? Is there something I can do/diagnose to improve performance?

thanks,

[cdplayer]

Several things could be causing you dilema. Let's start with the easiest. Behind the accellerator pedal is the kickdown switch. Pull the carpet out to see if it is plugged in. If so be sure the carpet(when reinstalled) is not preventing the pedal to depress enough to activate the kickdown switch.

If this did not fix your problem, check to see the electrical lead from the kickdown switch is plugged into the tranny. Kinda hard to see but you have to look in the area the driveshaft connects to the trans.

Still not working? Then your problem may be with the Boden cable.
Stretched, disconnected(from either end),out of adjustment, or broken.
Do a search on Boden cable for the diesel. I have a gasser so my knowledge ends here. Good luck.