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1983 300SD - Tranmission does not engage ??

Submitted by aydaen on 11 July 2009 - 1:23pm.

Hi,

I recently did an engine swap on 1983 300SD that had a failed engine but good transmission. The old engine was pulled out with the transmission, the tranny was moved to the used replacement engine and finally put back into the car. All fluids were replaced and the car was started. The levels in the transmission looked good at idle in park so I backed the car out of the garage. I shut off the car and came back to it a few hours later. Now the transmission does not engage in any gear and refuses to move. I checked the transmission and lines for leaks and check the levels and everything looked good. Could the vacuum controls on the replacement engine be the cause? More importantly could a simple issue like a vacuum leak cause the described symptoms?

The fluid and filter was changed in the transmission and the shift lever is hooked up and correctly selecting each gear. Park engages correctly and locks the transmission. If I move into any other gear it as if the transmission is neutral.

Thanks!

Aydaen

‹ 1985 300D auto-trans pre-purchase inspection ?? 1982 240D Abnormal inside both tire wear ?? ›

Torque converter bolts?

11 July 2009 - 10:12pm
Kent Bergsma

What you describe is not related to a vacuum issue. Here are some items to check:

  • Where the six torque converter bolts installed and tightened properly?
  • Are you sure the fluid level is correct?  You need to let the engine run for a while and check fluid level with engine running in park.

If the above two are ok then there could be a problem with the pump at the front of the transmission.  It is easy to damage the drive cogs if the transmission/torque converter is not installed properly on the replacement engine.