Took the 85 wagon out for a spin yesterday morning and once turned onto the highway, the engine revved and I lost all forward thrust. (Scotty, what just happened?)

Was able to pull into the parking lot of O'Reilly's and try to figure it out. But it will not go into any forward or reverse gear. Easiest problem would be shifter (although it would engage parking pawl, so I knew inside that was a lost hope) and worst would be a main pump failure.

There's been no significant loss of ATF, although there is a steady leak and I've topped it off on occasion. Dipstick actually read a little high for the trans already being warm.

Got it towed home (thanks Haggerty) and up on stands. Front shift rod bushing was gone. So I got a new one in and as suspected, didn't change anything except it felt and sounded nice. I think I did something to upset the NSS because now it won't start without jumping the starter terminal in front of the battery.

Still won't go into gear, though. So I'm afraid I'm looking at a trans R&R. Not thrilled about dropping it out on jack stands and I have several items needing attention on the motor, so I'm considering pulling both from up top.

I've thought about cracking a trans coolant line to verify pressure. Anything else I should check before diving into a full drive train R&R?

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

Check the nut on the end of the output flange at the driveshaft flex coupling.

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Thought about that, but then it wouldn't lock into park.

At 253k and what I believe to be the original trans with no major overhaul, I think it's due.

I've got no time or space in the garage right now, so I've sent it over to my trusted indy shop. They're dropping the trans and we'll most likely swapping in a rebuilt unit from Dallas.

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

Nice looking wagon ! .

? Is it beige ? .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Ivory over palomino.

Hopefully starting body restoration this spring/summer. Driver's rear quarter is riddled with rust and happened across an NOS body panel on eBay a while back.

The new trans from Sun Valley shifts great.

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

The BBS RAs are a prized possession

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

Roughly the same miles as when my 300SD blew up its reverse band...it had about 280k. I still sorta had (very flaring) forward gears though, however it was worse each time I moved it. Swapped in a lower miles used trans it it covered another 55k+ miles with me and was still driving fine when I sold it.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)