Couldn’t find a specific thread for my VDP.
I was looking for suggestions on how to get the Mechatronic sleeve in easier.
I have a 2004 Vanden Plas. In the middle of replacing the fluid, encased filter, and I’m stuck on the Mechatronic sleeve. It’s lined up properly but it seems stuck. Can’t seem to get it in all the way. Don’t want to pull it out for fear that I won’t get it back in properly. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get it in easier. I put a little transmission fluid on the gaskets. It’s a new sleeve. The old one had the original orange gaskets and that’s where my transmission leak was coming from. If someone has an idea on how to get it in easier I will take it back out and use their suggestion. Any help??

I've copied your question from New Member Area - Intro a MUST to X350 forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Graham

Have a look at the above video.

Not the best by a long shot however it does describe how to fit the mechatronic sleeve at about 13 minutes in.

I use a bit of vasoline on the o rings and a block of wood and a pry bar to put equal pressure on the sleeve while installing back into the trans.

Make sure the tab on the sleeve is aligned with the electrical connector on the TCM before installing. Last thing you want to do is damage the TCM pins.

Basically, turn the sleeve until it pops in a bit, check w/ mirror, or visual to ensure alignment then use block of wood flush to the sleeve and pry bar.

Make sure before you cap everything back up you reconnect the harness connector and measure the distance from the case to the connector.

Needs to be 2mm to 3mm max. Anything over 3mm distance the sleeve is not fully seated.

You can actually get the white tab back up while the sleeve is not fully installed.

Thank you Graham! ��

Thank you so much!!

Nice find on those videos.
Was wondering about the sleeve replacement.
As of yet unneeded, but eventually they will need replaced.

Thank you so much! After getting everything back together and filling it with fluid I drove around the block a couple times perfectly. Yesterday I drove it into work 30ish miles, after work I went to a shopping center and spent a couple of hours getting a massage, then I went to a restaurant before heading home. The car was running perfect! This morning I went to start it and it wouldn’t start. All the lights and everything came on but it just wouldn’t turn over. The transmission fault light did eventrally come on after several times attempting to start it.
We used all the oil that we had and we got a stream coming out but then it stopped. We closed it up and it seemed to run fine. My boyfriend thinks that maybe we need to disconnect the battery and reset it somehow. Or maybe we just didn’t get enough oil in. Any thoughts on why it would run perfectly for a day and a half and then stop? I felt very confident that we got everything in place properly especially since it ran perfectly . Any suggestions??? ����

Hi Graham, which section is the X350 in? Is it in classic or current models?

Look in "Modern".

My suggestions are as follows:

Check the level in the trans when its level, have more fluid on hand, watch the temperature.

Hope your boyfriend did no harm to your transmission.

+1 on the above and the temp should be around 40 degrees C. I use an infra red gun to measure temp.

Many say point it at the fluid dripping out or at the plastic around the drain bung.

Thank you so much!

Looks like you coincidentally have a battery problem since all of your warning lights are illuminated. Disconnect the battery terminals and give them a good scrub with a wire brush.
You can also have the local auto parts store test your battery.

If your transmission was low on fluid, the car would still turn on and drive, course not recommended if its truly low. Symptoms of low transmission fluid include slipping gears i.e taking too long to shift and harsh shifting into the next gear. Kinda feels like your car pauses then gets bumped in the rear. If you experience this pull over and have the car towed, otherwise you can severely damage the transmission.

Turns out the aftermarket part that we purchased on the Internet was just a hair too long. We ended up using the old sleeve with the new gaskets and she is purring like a kitten again. Thank you guys!