Author Topic: 1969 280se transmission not engaging  (Read 737 times)

MattBHG

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  • USA, CT, Bridgeport
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1969 280se transmission not engaging
« on: October 29, 2024, 20:07:56 »
I'm helping to restore a 1969 280se Cab. the engine Automatic transmission were removed by one person to be resealed and serviced.  I was not there for that part, and a different person reinstalled the engine and tranny.  Now I am trying to get the car finished.  W108 with the M130 motor.  K4025 trans I believe, only plate on the trans says 108 270 17 01

Car starts and runs great but nothing happens when you put the car in gear.  If the tires are off the ground they will weakly spin, torque convert is spinning, no noises. just act like you put it in neutral. park pin does engage in part.

linkage is fine, reverse lights come on in reverse but that is it.

I have two wires that look like they should go to two connections on the passenger side of the transmission.  Solenoids?
one coming off a throttle lever microswitch.

If the torque converter was not filled when they had put the engine on it would that cause an issue, would the solenoids not being connected cause no drive.  I'm going to play with it tomorrow some more but I didn't know if there was any wiring diagrams, the only diagrams I saw showed a double action solenoid on top of the tranny which I don't have, I ha kick down lever and well.  Thank you for any help

Matt








stickandrudderman

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Re: 1969 280se transmission not engaging
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2024, 08:42:50 »
Whatever your problem is it is not electrical; the transmission works entireley on hydraulic pressure and the electrical system only varies that pressure.
Have you confirmed that there's fluid in it?

MattBHG

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  • USA, CT, Bridgeport
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Re: 1969 280se transmission not engaging
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2024, 12:42:39 »
Yes, the fluid is full.  they only thing is that I don't believe the torque converter was filled when it was installed.  there is no way to access the fill with the transmission in the car.  I'd hate to drop the transmission for this but I may have to.  has anyone ever had a similar issue.  if you put the car in gear and rev the engine the car will rock forward slightly, every gear, even reverse.  no clunk when you put it in gear.  again thank you for any help.

ja17

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Re: 1969 280se transmission not engaging
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2024, 04:14:29 »
You do not have to fill the converter with fluid. It will fill itself. Start off with 5 qts of fluid to start. Start the engine and shift through the gears. Add more fluid after checking the dip stick. However it sounds like the front transmission pump might not be turning. If this is the case the two cogs on the drive gear in the front pump could have been damaged during installation of the transmission.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback