Help me shed some light on this.

I've got a 92 240. Since I've had it, the 1 to 2 shift (automatic) has always been weird. Slow and slippy. I fairly certain that it's mostly skipping 2nd gear. I figured the transmission is just old and needs a rebuild.

Yesterday I put the transmission in "2" instead of "D" on accident. Miraculously, the 1 to 2 shift is perfect. Drove it around all yesterday like that, shifting into drive after 2nd gear. If you start from a stop in "D" the 1 to 2 shift is weird. If you start in "2" it's perfect.

Anyone know what's going on here?

 

Did I stump the chumps?

 

Haven't heard of behavior like that before. How may miles on the car? Hows the trans fluid? Been changed lately? Is it brown? Smell burnt?

Generally these transmissions will last 250-300k miles if treated properly - meaning fluid changed on a regular basis. Less if abused.

 

check the kickdown cable, too. make sure there's the proper amount of slack at idle, and that you feel it hit the 'cam' (notchy feel) just before full throttle.

 

No idea how many miles are on the car, but I had the fluid changed very recently.

I talked to a transmission guy. He said the reason it acts normally in 2 is that there is higher pressure in the transmission.

Basically it's worn out. A rebuild is $1800. Does this price sound about right?

 

'rebuild' can mean a range of things... but yeah, thats in the ballpark for a good job, if you've got a reliable shop. I'd prefer the shop rebuilds my transmission than swap it for someone elses that they've waved their hands over....

 

You can get these trannies used for $200 in most markets in this country, plus a couple of hundred for installation--the way to go for me. Throwing $1,800 into a $1,500 car is crazy, besides rebuilding a tranny is a crap shoot, no such thing as a "reliable" shop especially when it comes to transmissions.