(Automatic Gear Shift not workiing

[benzwallah]

Hello all - I hope you may have advice for how to fix a stick shift on a 1965 230 SL.  It is an Automatic.  Here's the problem:

 - the car ran well, but recently the shifting was a bit abrupt, at times going into Neutral before shifting up
-  after parking the car for an hour the other day, I started it up and when I put it in Drive it went backward.  I shut off the engine.
-  after re-starting it, the shift did not work at all.  It appears to be completely disengaged from the transmission.   While engine is running, the shift goes from Park all the way up to 2 without doing anything.

Thank you very much for any advice on how I might address this, or advice for a good mechanic. 

Benzwallah   (Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.)

[Jonny B]

There may be more than one thing going on, but most likely it is the shifter linkage bushings. Use the search function and you will get a lot of good information on what to do next.

[BobH]

Hello, most information is on here, if you use the search button above left, or click on and search the technical manual, it's just a case of using the correct search words

The link below sounds like a similar problem, looks easy enough to diagnose from under the car

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=35506.0

Let us know how you get on, if this isn't the problem, someone with more experience will advise

[Mike Hughes]

PM sent.

[benzwallah]

Thanks to all three of you!  The link was very helpful and I will continue to search existing material in the Forum using key words.  Again, most grateful - like Essey noted earlier, I am one of those not mechanically gifted.  Will report back on the outcome.  benzwallah