I am having problems with the automatic gearbox of my ,89 merc 290 coupe.The gear change from 1st to 2nd is very abrupt and 2nd to 3rd a bit smoother after some use a little better.I,ve had this to mercedes in pattaya and after many ajustments they cannot correct this problem without a complete gearbox overhaul. any ideas please.

I am having problems with the automatic gearbox of my ,89 merc 290 coupe.The gear change from 1st to 2nd is very abrupt and 2nd to 3rd a bit smoother after some use a little better.I,ve had this to mercedes in pattaya and after many ajustments they cannot correct this problem without a complete gearbox overhaul. any ideas please.

hi, I don't have any answers for you, but maybe the benz forum at benzworld.com (US and worldwide) has answers. I got an old 90's c-class and from time to time I get some answers from that forum.

Is the 290 a diesel? Here's an interesting piece on vacuum modulator adj. (below)

Can't say for certain if it's possible to tweak the bands on that unit, given the age

it must be in a relatively fragile state anyway. Even changing fluid if it hasn't been

regularly serviced can do funny things. (sigh), my considerable misspent youth.

http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/diesel_vacuum_system.html

I'm not spezialised in Benz, I'm only specialized with US Cars, but check, if the car still have a machanical kick down cable. If so release the adjustment screw to louse it a little bit on the top end. The modulator if it have one should be on the end and lower part of the automatic transmission. There should be a adjustment screw and a spring inside. Make sure that the spring is not broken, but as i sayd, i'm not familiar with benz ATM's