Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Louiehenry on December 03, 2013, 16:16:45

Title: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: Louiehenry on December 03, 2013, 16:16:45

I've noticed recently, when going from second to first and braking, the gearbox seems to be fighting me, it's not grinding, nor whirring, it just doesn't want to engage first! When it finally does, the top light on the cluster flickers on and off. What does the light mean? It's a 71 280sl.

Title: Problems engaging first
Post by: Louiehenry on December 03, 2013, 16:17:34

I've noticed recently, when going from second to first and braking, the gearbox seems to be fighting me, it's not grinding, nor whirring, it just doesn't want to engage first! When it finally does, the top light on the cluster flickers on and off. It's a 71 280sl.

Title: Re: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: ja17 on December 03, 2013, 23:46:38

Start off by checking the fluid level.

Title: Re: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: Louiehenry on December 04, 2013, 07:21:24

Which fluids?

Title: Re: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: ja17 on December 05, 2013, 14:28:03

Dextron or the modern derivative is fine.

Title: Re: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: garymand on December 13, 2013, 19:47:52

Tranny fluid?  I think the top light is the alternator charging light is it blue?

Title: Re: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: 66andBlue on December 13, 2013, 21:52:20

Quote from: Louiehenry on December 03, 2013, 16:16:45

.... What does the light mean? It's a 71 280sl.

Don't be afraid to consult the technical manual here!  ;)
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/DashboardInstruments

Title: Re: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: Louiehenry on December 13, 2013, 22:59:18

Haha! I actually did that right after I posted this, I thought I delete it, but I gues not!
I did discover the problem! Thanks again!

Title: Re: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: ja17 on December 14, 2013, 05:43:45

Hello Louie,

Check your brake fluid (may be your dash light problem).
For the shifting problem check the transmission fluid level. The transmission fluid is a little more difficult to check. Check it also.

Title: Re: Light and difficulty downshifting into 1st
Post by: Novamonte on January 06, 2014, 20:33:57

Also check what fluid is in there now. I had a similar problem with second gear and when I checked the transmission it turned out that the PO had used regular transmission oil, not ATF which should be used even in the manual transmission in these cars. After changing the transmission oil the problem went away.