Delayed shifter engagement 300E - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sptt · #1 12-20-2009, 04:45 PM

Does any know what would cause my car to not shft into gear immediately from neutral to drive or park to drive? When I shift, there is a split second delay and then engagment that lunges the car forward a bit. The Drive shaft has new a new coupler on the front and the one on the back is very solid I was told by the mechanic. I test drove an 88 300E today that shifted perfectly. Mine is a 91. Is this an adjustment or possibly something that is going out in the tranny? Other than that, shifting and driving is perfect. It does it going into drive or reverse if that helps. Thanks.

johnjzjz · #2 12-20-2009, 07:07 PM

the pump pressure might be low I HATE TO GO HEAR - but this is the only reason i would agree to do a trans oil change and filter replacement all works fine but it is slow to ingage - jz

sptt · #3 12-21-2009, 10:56 PM

Well, it is about time to do a tranny fluid change. I haven't heard that could cause the problem but I would love it if that is the reason (kill 2 birds). Anyone else think it could be the issue as well? Thanks!

johnjzjz · #4 12-21-2009, 11:07 PM

its clutch media that is and does the clogging soooo the trans might need a real look but i have done it before and they in some cases come back on line -- jz

sptt · #5 12-22-2009, 01:52 AM

Update....I went and purchased 2 bottles of Trans X. Siphoned about half a bottle of Trans Fluid out (looked like it was brand new still and smelled perfect!) and poured in half a bottle of Trans X. I had the engine running and filled it until the fluid came halfway in between the dipstick hash marks. Is that the correct amount? I will put a couple hundred miles on it the next two days and see what happens. As it stands, I drove it around tonight for 20 min, shifting, stopping, downshifting, etc. No noticeable difference yet. May have shifted better from 1-2-3-4 but could have been my placebo imagination again too

johnjzjz · #6 12-22-2009, 09:11 AM

majic fluid is a like a surfactant in oil < it softens all the rubber parts in the unit and does in some cases work a bit - hope that helps you out -- jz

junqueyardjim · #7 12-22-2009, 09:31 AM

My 85 300D can be very slow going into drive, but if I pull it back one notch to 3rd gear, it is instantaneous. So my thinking is that it is a slight mis-adjustment of the shifter or worn shifter bushings. I change fluid and filter every year also.

sptt · #8 12-22-2009, 11:19 PM

I read another thread last night (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=193317&highlight=delayed+engagement ) that totally describes my exact issue with the transmission and they described it as the B3 band in the transmission. Once replaced, the issue went away in R and D gears. When I back up, I get a clicking sound and so did the guy in the other thread. It comes from the B3 band being worn down somehow even though reverse is rarely used. He replaced this along with K1 without a full rebuild and transmission engagment, shifting, etc was like brand new. Thoughts? How much would MB shop charge for that and would they just fix that or call a full rebuild? I live in So Cal, Orange County if anybody has a recommended shop/tech!