Total Transmission Failure 300e
 

Well, I knew my tranny on the 1992 300e was getting old with 162k on her, but I wasn't expecting this. All of a sudden she starts "flaring" between 2nd and 3rd gear. Drive her to work, at the end of the day, nothing, nada. No forward gears no reverse gears, no movement at all. This doesn't sound like a b2 failure. Can it be a vacuum problem? Or are these the symptoms of a totally shot tranny?
Thanks for your advice.

Are you sure you dont have a MAJOR fluid leak?

I wondered about a lack of fluid also but the level is OK.

where did tranny go?
 

Unlikely for mechanical failure like that. Sounds like failure of the line pressure control OR B-2 piston failure--either pressure control spring broke, the filter plugged, or oil pump has suction leak-or B-2 piston busted and is leaking. Symptoms indicate no oil pressure--.

A B2 failure won't stop reverse gear.

Double check that fluid. Look at both sides of the stick and use the low one.

good idea, but...
 

Well Stevebfl, I did go back and triple check my fluid level. The fluid is at the top mark and looks clean (light red color). It sure acts like it is out of fluid though. Could it be a bad pump? Would you reccommend a rebuild at my mileage 162K anyway?
Thanks

At your mileage I would recommend a rebuild for any repair requiring the tranmissions removal. The pump is a candidate although the common problem for complete failure is the failure of the pump bushing with the subsequent failure/removal of the torque convertor drive flanges.

Funny,
wish I has been given that advice when I spent over $1500.00 to have transmission resealed in my w107 with similar miles. Not many miles later it failed to go into reverse and started flaring. Traded car in to avoid future RIPOFFS from supposed experts. Got tired of hearing "it's an old car...."
Do it once and do it right. Some shops delight in spending customers money and not looking out for long term reliability. ha