Hi been searching the forum but not much luck yet. the car when cold will not shift up until hight rpm. Once it shifts once, it shifts fine (a little hard).
I have noticed when cold, if i keep running from reverse to drive several times before I go, it will shift. I have changed the fluid and filter with no differance.
Any ideas will be much appreciated.

thanks Lee

From what I know transmissions are more likely to shift harder when cold. You could check your operating pressure, it could be too high.

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Fourings

84 Audi Coupe GT with Turbo engine, EFI (buh-bye CIS), Jamex seats, Koni's/H&R's, e-code lights. 210k and counting.
1992 Anthracite 400E, 161k, "Grey Ghost".
1986 VW Quantum Syncro, 192k, gone to the crusher in the sky.
1989 300TE 172k. (Was mine, now also Mom's car)
72 280SE 4.5 (Mom's car)

The car has ECU controlled delayed shift for Cat warm up and to get car into closed loop as soon as possible
Normal.............

Have you check the transmission vacuum modulator, the seal may be leaking. It is a small round unit mounted on the left side of the transmission with a small vacuum tube.

Jack

Thanks I will check the modulator and pressure. I really appreciate the help!!

There is nothing abnormal about this. This is how the system is designed.
As another poster said, it is related to quickly warming up the catalytic converter.

On my '92 300E it stays in first for a while at high rpms if I am accelerating.
You need to learn to anticipate the shift down with some timed lifting off the
accelerator.

Generally, it's fine after just a few minutes. I wouldn't try to solve this with the modulator, unless it shifts hard after warm up. If it does shift hard after warm up then the first thing to check would be the vacuum line from engine to transmission. It can come loose from the rubber connector.

Steve

As others have said, this is normal. It's an attempt to reduce emissions.

There should be reference to this in your owner's manual. If you don't have one, you can get one by calling 1-800-FOR-MERC.

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Steve
'93 400E