delayed shifting out of first
 

Good morning all. I think I'm debugging (or maybe you guys are) allof the minor quirks on my (new to me) 92 400E. The last quirk I know is that first geer doesn't like to shift until the rpm are about 2000 or 2100 rpm's even at very moderate acceleration. When it does shift it hits the next gear, dropping the rpms' just below 1800 and shifts immediately into third and resumes normal shifting at that point. I've played with the linkage a little and can advance the shifting from first to second but the rest of the shifts advance too and i don't want that. I put the linkage back and am open for any information you may have..

P.S. I really do know gear is spelled with an a

Greetings Bzoo:

How long has it been since the automatic transmission fluid has been changed? Any info from the previous owner on when this was last done?

Dirty fluid can be the cause of hard shifts, and can affect shifting timing as well.

Also check how much fluid you have in there, if you haven't done so already. Low fluid could be the cause as well. Run the car for 10-15 minutes or so travelling a few miles around your neighborhood to warm the fluid. With engine running, and on a level surface, pull the dipstick and check the level.

Good luck!

-Paul-

Bzoo,

You didn't say if this is only when the car is cold or not. I will assume that it happens all of the time.

First off, how old is the ATF? Since the car is new to you, I would drain the trans AND torque converter, install new AT filter and fresh ATF. Personally I use Mobil 1 Synthetic.

You may also want to review this older thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=5168&highlight=bowden

Look at what Michael has to say about adjusting the bowden cable. Now this may be the linkage you were adjusting, but make sure it was set correctly before you started. Remember, one "turn" will make a big difference.

I played around with the bowden adjustment along with the vacuum modulator. Under "normal" driving, the transmission shifts exactly where I expect it. The shifting is so smooth, you can barely feel the first to second and third to fourth shift. The second to third shift is a bit firm, but no matter what I do, I cant seem to soften it up.

Hope this helps.

Just a though!
I have heard that the softer the shift (esp in Mercedes), the decrease in trans life. Supposedly the firmer and more pronounced the shift, the longer the transmission life. I am sure SteveBFL will come on here and give more info...

To answer a couple of questions it happens all the time. I don't know when the tranny was serviced last so I am going to take the advice to change it this week..filter and fluid. I'm curious about he synthetics..have heard pros and cons but haven't heard enough to make up my mind. Also I heard something about a shift modulator but am unfamiliar with it on this car. I have changed the setting on the bowden cable one turn and will drive it in the morning to see if that altered anything. .......well maybe a late night drive with the roof open wouldn't be so bad...the black has a new coat of mothers and it needs the dust blown off. yea that's it. Thanks again for the help everybody.

Brian

To end this story adjusting the bowdin cable did the trick perfectly. Thanks again.

Cool! Glad to hear all is fine.

Does my 94 C280 have a Bowden cable? Can I adust the shift points also? I'd love to have more control over my uneven shifting.


Thanks!

Doesn't the tranny hold it in first when the car's cold in order to heat up the cat? I thought my old 190E was failing but found out this to be normal. I wouldn't think a Florida car would have to do this? Sounds like you got yer fix though...cool.

Jim
1992 500E Green/Tan

The transmission holds the car in 2nd gear up until the car either reaches 50 degrees C or if the revs are higher than 3100 RPM. The point is that unless you start your car and the temperature of your car (or coolant) is already above 50 C, you will have the 2nd gear delay. It just may take less time to get to the 50 C in warmer weather such as Florida.

I do not think that 94 or newer cars had the bowden cable, but I might as well just be wrong.

My mistake
 

Don't know why I said first gear...it's second like he says...thanx David. It's a nice little build-in from MB though...even if it seems wrong for the first time you experience it.