OD Trans shifts to early

[MMoyle]

Hi Guys,



Well... . I finally picked up my very first 1st Gen today!! WOW! I love it so much. Can't wait to get behind the drivers seat again. I noticed 2 things on the way home. One - The transmission shifts way to early - 1st at 3MPH, 2nd at 6-7MPH, 3rd at 10-12MPH. Two - It looks like the tranmission fuild is overfilled. My questions are: Should I be looking at the TV cable to fix my shifting problem? Should I drain some fuild out of the transmission? I am getting ready to go on a long trip and I want to make sure this is right before I go. You guys are the best!



Oh... BTW... I have a 1993 W250 4x4 A518 OD trans.



Thanks

Mike

 

["Mad Max"]

First off congrats on your first 1st gen! Oo. They're good stuff - I like the older ones much better than the newer ones - so much more style.



Anyways, sounds like the transmission kickdown cable is way out of adjustment. There's a little plastic tab/lever (it's kind of hard to describe) either under or over the adjuster bracket that just flips open, then you slide the cable to where you want it (I'd pull it towards the linkage so it'll kick down more and for longer time), and then flip the little plastic tab back up to cinch the cable in place. Hopefully that'll do the trick.



On the transmission, I'd go strictly by the dipstick. If it's too high I'd take some out. Unfortunately there's no drain plug, but you could siphon some out with one of them neato little siphon pumps until the dipstick measures dead on, hot in neutral of course... :-laf



Let us know if the cable thing works out.

Suerte amigo,



- Sam

 

[1stgen4evr]

Hot in neutral as mentioned by SAM. Don't know about your dipstick but that is stamped on mine. This is a common mistake folks make because other trannys check in Park. You will think it is overfilled otherwise.



Early shift, you could have an issue with how the TPS is set. You can set it with a (10mm I think) wrench. The nut to adjust is under the TPS. I don't have a shop manual but I expect the procedure is in there to set it. I have a friend who has ALLDATA and that is where I got the info to change the setting.



Go ahead and read the info on past post regarding changing the OD switch to the shift lever. You will want that in the long run as it puts you in control of the OD.



James

 

[Greenleaf]

A. You cant taylor your shift points by moving the TV cable. There is a factory adjustment for this and for good reason. I personally would not adjust it too far out. The true adjustment is on the transmission it'self. There is a lever that is adjustable. Your manual will give details.



B. The TPS is also adjustable. Ues a 10mm open end to tweak this untill your hearts desire. You can set it anywhere you like. If it's working properly it will change your 3rd to OD points and OD to 3rd.



C. git the OD shifter in the gear selector ASAP. It's easy/cheap/and sooooooooooo much nicer because if you drive it correctly you are shifting it in and out alot. Bsides you cant see the darn button down on the dash in the dark and without taking your eyes off the road. The folks behind you are concerned that your cargo lamp is lit.



Scott



BTW you don't know how nice AND powerful these trucks are untill you have been driving something else for a time, right???

 

[tugboatphil]

Mike,



You don't mention where you live, but as it gets colder, the 3rd to OD shift can get jumpy. Until the transmission fluid warms up, it may not want to stay in OD unless you have your speed up pretty good. When I warm up in winter, I put it in neutral with the brake set. The fluid is then circulating, so when I start out the shifts are more stable.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Until the transmission fluid warms up,

There is a temp switch in the transmission fluid line that sends a signal to the PCM allowing or rather disallowing the OD till the temp is up.



My opinion on the PCM is pretty well known. Putrid Crap Multiplier.



James

 

["Mad Max"]

Mike -

Here's the two-part 'instruction manual' to bolt in a 2nd gen automatic gearshift lever into your 1st gen steering column - the OD activation is in the tip of the lever verses the dash - Like Greenleaf says it's the slickest thing since hypoid gear additive.



OD lever conversion Part I: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/private.php?do=showpm&pmid=12514



OD lever conversion Part II:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/private.php?do=showpm&pmid=46698

- Sam