E500 1992 gearbox problems

[Caulkhead10]

Hi,
I'm a newbie to this forum really have been a member for some time but never posted.

my 500e this last week has on occasions not wanted to change up from 2nd to 3rd then other times if I have parked put the car into P and turned the Engine off when turned back on and driven will then change up from 2nd to 3rd but will not then change up to 4th ?

Can one of you clever guys on here please help, thank you in advance

 

[gsxr]

Are you sure the car is not going into limp mode? In limp mode the throttle travel is longer than normal (have to put you foot further into the pedal) and this can affect upshift RPM. Limp mode should also turn on the ASR warning light on the dash, and cruise control won't work. Otherwise, I'd check the ATF fluid level when hot to make sure it's correct. Was ANY work done to the car just before this problem started?

BTW, welcome to the forum! It can help if you add your location to your profile... Euro cars are not the same as USA-spec.

 

[Klink]

Make sure that the electrical pushbutton switch (called the "kickdown switch") underneath the accelerator pedal is not sticking in the depressed position. It is a hyper-common problem, yet it is almost always misdiagnosed as something much more severe and expensive. Similarly, make sure that the "B" position switch inside the shift gate is not somehow being diverted into, or is stuck in the "B" position.

 

[Caulkhead10]

My e500 is a Japanese import and has the switch on the side of the gearchange Economy & Sport mode as well.
thanks fir your reply, I'll have a look and get back.

 

[Melville]

Make sure that the electrical pushbutton switch (called the "kickdown switch") underneath the accelerator pedal is not sticking in the depressed position. It is a hyper-common problem, yet it is almost always misdiagnosed as something much more severe and expensive. Similarly, make sure that the "B" position switch inside the shift gate is not somehow being diverted into, or is stuck in the "B" position.

+1. This happened to me when I had my cabrio. I went for a drive and the car wouldn't upshift. The transmission had some signs of being on the way out so I thought it was finally dead. As I braced myself for an expensive rebuild, I remembered that I had cleaned the car the day before, including vacuuming the carpets and shaking out and putting back the floor mats. Sure enough, I had done something to press the kickdown switch in place. It's a very nice feeling indeed when you think you're facing a $$$ repair but it turns out to be a two minute free fix.

 

[gsxr]

Great suggestion from Klink. A more definite way to eliminate the kickdown wiring as a possible cause is to unplug the wire at the transmission (rear, passenger side, single wire unplugs). If the problem goes away with the wire removed, and returns with the wire connected, most likely something is up with either the B switch or the WOT switch behind the accelerator pedal.

 

[gerryvz]

Any update on this?

One other thing to check, is to ensure that the transmission fluid and filter have been changed within the previous 30,000km/20,000 miles. If you don't have definitive records that this maintenance has been done, you need to do it ASAP.

Cheers,
Gerry