I have a 86 420sel which seem to have a hesitation in the automatic transmission from first to second gear. It would hesitate to go into second gear especially when it is cold in the morning. When the car fully warms up, the transmission would work fine. I ask the mechanic on this topic and he said there is some kind of adjustment in the transmission to allow it to engage properly.

Does anyone know what this is and is this a DIY thing?

Thanks,
John

If its only hesitating from 1st to 2nd gear, then the control pressure cable(aka bowden cable) needs adjustment. To make shifts earlier....turn the plastic nut counterclockwise. To make shifts later....turn the nut clockwise.

It's the cat warm up feature, and is normal. The shift is held to warm the cat-con up faster, and when a certain temp is reached, the tranny shifts normally.

Are you sure it's first to second? If memory serves, that car has 2nd gear start.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

My car is an 89 and it does have 2nd gear start, but it does not have the same problem you have hot or cold.