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230sl

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69tr

Jedi Trainee
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I have been driving our 230sl and I was wondering about the transmission shift pattern. It has an automatic transmission and it seems like it needs another gear. The engine seems to run at a higher rpm than usual when running with traffic. The speedometer does not work so I am guessing at speed. When we are running with traffic at about 55-60 mph, the tach reads 3300 to 3500 rpm.

The transmission is a 4 speed automatic. According to the book it is supposed to start out in 2nd unless the lever is in the 2 position and shift automatically to 3rd and 4th. I can feel the car shift twice. The car also down shifts and up shifts hard at slower speeds.

Any comments or suggestions always appreciated, Pete
 
It sounds like a bad vacuum shift modulator or a leaky vacuum line going to the vacuum shift modulator.

You may want to look through your service manual for these items to better understand them.
Obviously, check for a loose or cracked vacuum line first, since that's the cheapest to fix.

There may also be a "Bowden cable" that adjusts shifting on your car....I am not sure on the SL. Some other MBs have this cable.

But first, check the vacuum line and modulator.
 
Another thing I've learned with my 380SL: if it shifts hard, the trans fluid is either low or the trans needs servicing.
 
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