Auto. tranny issue
 

I'm having tranmission problems with my 95 e320 which has 114k miles on it. Yesterday while on the freeway, I kept a steady speed at 80mph. when out of nowhere, I feel the car drop down a gear or two and see the rpm fly. I change lanes but I can't really press the gas pedal because of the gear it's on and the speed the car has, so I try to coast it to an exit. As soon as I get off, it stays in that same gear and doesn't change until I come to a full stop and then go. What's going on? Is it time for the transmission to get tuned up? Thanks in advance.

bump

Did the transmission have an fluid change recently?

Possible explanation for sudden downshift
 

Maybe this will help. My son's Dodge has a computer controlled transmission. I would expect your's does also. He had the same sudden downshift as you described. :eek:

What had happened was that the tranny computer had lost connection with the tranny. The computer then put the tranny into "limp home mode", i.e. downshifted and would not go back to a higher gear.

Here's the good part. A shop said it was a bad tranny, another said a bad tranny computer. My son checked around under the hood and found that there was a connector, which connected the tranny to the tranny computer, which was exposed to moisture dripping down between the hood and the cowling. He cleaned the connector contacts with a spray cleaner, greased them with a silicone grease, and reconnected. The transmission has worked fine for over a year! :D

A Warning. One shop checked the transmission and failed to reset the computer which the put the tranny back into limp home mode after a few miles. :silly:

My '96 E300 does not have a computer-controlled transmission. What transmission is in your car, Battlecat? I think it's probably a 722.3, but I really don't know.

re trans
 

this trans is a 722.369 and as such has no electronics.problem you describe is caused by dirt[yes dirt] in one of the two filters that the fluid to the govenor goes thru.if you need instructions on how to clean give me a call at office at 2149567007. david poole tx

I don't think it's the limp home mode because the engine light is not on and plus, after awhile with the low-gear, it returns back to normal. You could say this happens sporatically on the freeway, not street, when I'm either going above 60mph or if I'm stuck in traffic (freeway) for a while then press the gas and hear the gear not engage. I haven't had the tranny fluid changed recently, could it be the kickdown swtich? David, can I email you about the instructions on how to clean the filters? Thanks again to all you guys for helping me out...

-Jorge

Almost certainly a fluid level, or fluid thickness issue.

Check and see if your fluid level is correct. By chance, are you using any additives like that Lucas Transmission stuff?

I had the exact same problem last winter because my trans fluid was low and too thick (because of the Lucas). Did a fluid change ad the problem was gone.

Yes, it could be the kickdown switch! Take a good look at it and make sure floor mats/carpet aren't keeping it from coming up.

Eric, I'm using no additives in my transmission fluid. I'll check the level and report back...

400e, I readjusted the carpet and made sure it wasn't obstructing the switch...so far so good.

Here's my fluid level that I checked today. It was taken when the car was hot (engine temp. 80-90 C). Color was a mix between light brown and light red...YELLOW LINE REPRESENTS CURRENT LEVEL-ENGINE RUNNING.

Is it higher than it should be? I can't tell from the photo.

Engine running?

engine running, I think it is higher than it should be.

Battlecat714


It is up to the yellow line that you have drawn ???????

If so it is WAY WAY WAY too high.

You need to drain some out, pronto.

It is puzzling that colour has some 'brown' should be bright red.

Has some idiot put in engine oil as well - if in doubt, then drain the whole lot and rinse out, and new filter.

Save your transmission.

Regards