91 300E Modulator Valve Access?

[sptt]

I have a 1991 300E with 170K on it. It shifts a little hard and quick out of first gear (would prefer takeoff in 2nd only if possible) but I'd love to be able to try to adjust the modulator valve on the Transmission per these forums. Have seen pics and diagrams off this valve but see nothing that looks like it on the side of my transmission underneath. Anyone have a side shot view of the transmission so I can see where it actually should be and also while it's in the vehicle from underneath? There isn't much room underneath the car to get my hand up there and turn something.

[E150GT]

You will have to jack the car up each time you adjust the modulator.

[Rick Hall]

SPTT - HMMMMM....... I have worked through all of these problems over the last 6-7 years. Sounds like you might also have a bad egr valve. I would make sure that all of my vacuum lines and fittings are good before messing with the modulator. One thing you can check,.....take your air cleaner off, look to the back side of the engine. On the driver side of the intake manifold, back side of where the air/fuel mixture goes into the manifold you will see a rubber elbow fitting with a vacuum line that goes strraight dow. This is the vacuum line going to you trans modulator. REPLACE the fitting and check the end of the vacuum lines for cracks or hardness. Either replace the line or if it is long enough, cut off the hardened ends. You should also replace the rubber connector at the modulator to make sure that everything is tight and no leaks are present. I will dig through my manuals and stuff and see if I can find the destructions on how to adjust modulator. Again, I don't think I would touch the modulator until I was sure I had all my vacuum leaks plugged. Are the flpas for your HVAC system doing what they are supposed to? When the diagphrams break.....voils, vacuum leak. That's another handful of work! 5 or 6 vac pods and about $150 total. Let me know what you find out and I will be glad to help you and let you know what I have done. If you want, send me an e-mail direct.
Good luck

[sptt]

Will do Rick! I'll see what I can find in the morning. I also emailed you but not sure if it went through or not. Would greatly appreciate any photos or diagrams of that side of the trans. Do you have to remove anything to access the modulator valve as I can't even access the side of the transmission by getting my hand up there palm flat and fingers straight. Is the modulator on the side top or side low? Thanks a ton!

Steve

[sptt]

Rick....I found the vacuum line in question. The elbow was halfway off the manifold. I pushed it back down and pushed the tube further in (no cracks). Shift is better but still a little stiff. I can live with it. Thanks! Anything else I should check?