My 300D seems to shift 1-2 around 3000rpm at full throttle. All other shifts happen in the 4500 range, so it seems that the "bowden cable" is not the issue, and the downshift button/switch is working. It also shifts smoothly and without flaring at all throttle settings, so not vacuum.

Is this normal for this transmission/car combination? I've really not noticed before.

My 190Dt would shift much higher 1-2, but that was a bit of a problem in rain as it would get sideways pretty easily. Perhaps the 300Dt was designed this way to keep the car under control better?

I'm interested in hearing where other '87 300D cars are shifting 1-2.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I haven't done that in ages but I think it shifts earlier in D than in 2 even at WOT.

Sixto
87 300D

So it sounds normal? I haven't tried delaying it with the shifter, makes sense it would delay the shift a bit (but I don't want to be hard on the 'ol girl, I'll stick with Drive).

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I am trying to diagnose something I just found out today- at WOT, the 1-2 shift is almost a 1-3 shift!
It shifts out of 1 closer to 5k, and then goes into 2 for maybe a second, and right into 3. I'm going to keep searching for something about this and maybe post a new thread.

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

Mine does the exact same thing, but I thought mine was broken too -- take my car worth a grain of salt though, its in rough shape

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Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
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Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler

Hey Jeff,

I'm dealing with the same exact issue. Six and I have been corresponding about this issue just recently.

So your shifts are soft, that's good. No adjustment needed on the vac modulator

Shift points are primarily adjusted by the bowden cable nut (which I broke 2 days ago)

The accelerator cable nut (just above the bowden) tightens/loosen the cable. tightening it (iirc) will make shifts crisper.

However, my shifts from 2 to 3 still slip and shift around 4k at WOT (not good, esp on freeway). it doesnt flare and kick me into 3rd as it used to because i've softened it w/ the trans modulator (turning Ccw). I've read just about every trans shifting, bowden cable thread and i have read 2 or 3 guys say that their K2 valve springs were busted and by replacing it, the shifting returned to normal.

bob

Master List for Tranny Woes:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=142395

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=791654

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=158216

BUT this is the "Tour De Force" for adjustment...stevebfl is the Tranny Guru:
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/TransVacTune

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'84 300SD sold
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