W124 AT gear selection not smooth

[TharunKumarV]

Hello All

I am Tharun from India, it was dream to own a W124 from my child hood and my dream came true last year. Found a W124 300D AT masterpiece car in a average condition.
Due to pandemic had to just move the car from the previous owner parking lot to my friends garage.
identified few works on the car, which is listed below.
1. Body work and paint job
2. Sunroof drain leak
3. Front strut was weak
4. Lower arm rubber kit was ruined
5. GEAR SHIFTING WAS NOT SMOOTH (initially thought transmission oil and filter was the issue)
6. Basic electrical issue.

First to start of with body work and paint



With minor challenges Car turned to a good shape. Thank to my dad's very old friends, who gave a brilliant job


All other work was completed in 3 month due time and ran like a piece of art. but the gear shifting is bit harder. Kindly need your support in solving the issue.

regards
Tharun Kumar V

 

[ajlsl600]

Wondering. R u talking of rough changes at all times or when starting off. Is yr idle speed correct.? U say u changed oil and filter, did oil meet the MB spec?

 

[ajlsl600]

What did the old filter look like? Was it clean?

 

[TharunKumarV]

Wondering. R u talking of rough changes at all times or when starting off. Is yr idle speed correct.? U say u changed oil and filter, did oil meet the MB spec?

yes it is about the rough changes at ever gear shift. MB suggested oil and filter has been replaced accordingly.

 

[TharunKumarV]

What did the old filter look like? Was it clean?

it was clean, ideally my mechanic mentioned, why do we change if the filter is clean. but still wanted the filter to be new

 

[rayhennig]

Do the gears change at the correct points/speeds?

Are the vacuum connections to the gearbox intact? No vacuum leaks?

Is the bowden cable from the accelerator linkage to the gearbox attached? This changes change points and ferocity of change.

RayH

 

[TharunKumarV]

Do the gears change at the correct points/speeds?

Are the vacuum connections to the gearbox intact? No vacuum leaks?

Is the bowden cable from the accelerator linkage to the gearbox attached? This changes change points and ferocity of change.

RayH

Gears change based on speed feels good.

need to check Vacuum connections - Could you please specify what i need to look at.

Cable is connected to acc linkage - But do i need to check or calibrate it ?

 

[Jim2]

Hello and welcome Thanum.

 

[Doug1234]

This link explains the bowden cable and what it does…. there is a video link in it that shows the cable and some other parts that can be adjusted.

please clarify "bowden cable" adjustment - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1986 190d, w201, OM602.911 NA I looked at my mercedes cd, can't find any information on the transmission and it calls the throttle cable a Bowden

www.peachparts.com

Your problem is going to be either the cable is too loose or to tight …or you have vacuum connections that are cracked and leaking and want replacing. Other than checking the connections first then adjusting cable the other parts shown should not need touching.
Your w124 may have the bowden cable up in a different place , I think my old w124 had it above inlet manifold ? ,not sure it was years ago and the video concerns an American spec diesel but adjustment is all the same.
So check all those little vacuum hose rubber connections first and then move on to checking cable if no improvement.

 

[mioba]

The W124 has a million and one things controlled by vaccum.

As a start I would reset the adaptive gear shifts, some say it doesnt work, but it certainly did on my W124

Reset Transmission Adaptive Shifting – How to Programming Instructions DIY – MB Medic

www.mercedesmedic.com

further info on the vac issues here

DIY W201 Transmission Modulator Removal, Replace...

DIY W201 Transmission Modulator Removal, Replace, Trobleshooting & Common Problems Check out the links at the bottom of the DIY they have loads of information and troubleshooting guides for the 722.3 and 722.4 transmissions I should not be credited for all the information in this post it is...

www.benzworld.org

and

W124 rough transmission shifting | Engine

Hi all, I have my W124 for 7 years now,really happy miles (apart from changing the wiring harness :wallbash:),I got used to every thing in it. Few days ago I went with a friend to see another W124 for sale,I drove it and I discovered that the transmission shifting is very very smooth(you...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[rayhennig]

As a start I would reset the adaptive gear shifts, some say it doesnt work, but it certainly did on my W124

With respect, highly unlikely. Adaptive/reset etc. aplpies to later, electronic gearboxes never fitted to 124s, to my knowledge.

RayH

 

[LostKiwi]

^^^^agreed^^^^
Only the 722.6 and onwards were adaptive.
Earlier boxes as fitted to W124 were purely hydraulic except for 5th which was electronically controlled on the 722.5