95 E320 1st to 2nd shift point adjustment

[JBS]

Just had reman. trans installed and I am trying to adjust the shift point from 1st to 2nd gear at full throttle. My old trans. would shift around 6200 RPM. Now it shifts at 5000 RPM unless I hold the shifter in 2nd. Also, once I am rolling, it will not downshift from 2nd to 1st no matter what. Not good for those "whoops!!!" situations when I need to get up to speed fast. I tried tightening the throttle pressure cable but this only seems to have an effect on 2nd to 3rd shifts. Currently it goes from 2nd to 3rd at 6400 RPM. I have also noticed that when I place the car in drive, it requires more throttle than with the old trans. to get moving. It scared me at one point when I gave it about half throttle from a dead stop and it felt as though it was slipping a little then fully engaged.

Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by JBS

Just had reman. trans installed and I am trying to adjust the shift point from 1st to 2nd gear at full throttle. My old trans. would shift around 6200 RPM. Now it shifts at 5000 RPM unless I hold the shifter in 2nd. Also, once I am rolling, it will not downshift from 2nd to 1st no matter what. Not good for those "whoops!!!" situations when I need to get up to speed fast. I tried tightening the throttle pressure cable but this only seems to have an effect on 2nd to 3rd shifts. Currently it goes from 2nd to 3rd at 6400 RPM. I have also noticed that when I place the car in drive, it requires more throttle than with the old trans. to get moving. It scared me at one point when I gave it about half throttle from a dead stop and it felt as though it was slipping a little then fully engaged.

Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Well I am not an expert on this but there are two things to adjust that I know of. 1. the bowden cable will allow you to change how hard you have to press on the accelerator to keep it from downshifting. If you press the accelerator to the floor the car should shift at redline or a little after in all gears. If the car is shifting too soon you need to loosen the cable. If it is shifting to late you need to tighten it. 2. If you face the back of the car there is a manifold pressure adjustment switch under a cap that you can turn so that it shifts under less/more vacuum pressure. I can't remember which way is which. Do a search on those two items and you should find better info.

You may have to have a mechanic hook it up to a computer to see if anything is faulty. There may be things that you can adjust with diagnostic computer but I really don't think so with this early a model.

[mbdoc]

Of course make sure the cable adjustment is CORRECT with only 1-2mm of play.

IF that adjustment is correct then there is an adjustment on the valve body fot full throttle up-shifts!

[2phast]

Can you post info about the mod to the valve body? As I understand it, the valve body spring can be changed out to increase the shift points but I have been unable to determine what spring to use.

In the EPC there is listed 24mm k1, 19mm, 19mm K1, 16mm and 24mm K2. Maybe I am looking at the wrong piston regulator valve?

[mbdoc]

THAT is an adjustment on the front of the valve body. The trans pan MUST be removed & you will need a "shortened" allen wrench to make the adjustment.

[2phast]

Ok, I realize that, but what about the spring issue? The E60 W124 has the different spring in the valve body but I cannot locate a AMG or E60 specific part for it, just the ones I posted above, so I am kind of stumped.

[JBS]

Thanks for all the information everyone. I spoke with the shop that installed the trans. this morning. They think that an older model valve body was installed. They also stated that they could adjust the 1st to 2nd full throttle shift point by adjusting the spring in the valve body. They are going to swap the valve body, let me drive it around, and make any adjustments until it is the way I like it. Good people. I an taking it back Friday and will post the results!

[JBS]

All fixed! I went back to Sun Valley today and Mark said that the problem appeared to be that something was stuck in the valve body. They poped on another one and the car is perfect. The car now starts in first gear, 1st to 2nd full throttle shift is at 6200 RPM, no slippage when starting off. Could not be happier.

Thanks for all the input everyone!