My 240D has always started out in second gear, since the day I bought it.

First gear works just fine, but I have to shift it into L when I am sitting still, otherwise it never engages. The shift up from 1st to 2nd has always been extremely rough, it chirps the tires when it shifts (yes, I can actually chirp tire in a 240D, I kid you not)

anyway, today I started it up, and when I went to pull out of my driveway, I was totally surprised to find that it started out in first gear and then shifted into second at about 5-6 mph....I had it in drive.

every time I came to a stop, and then accelerated, it would take off in first gear, just like I would imagine it is supposed to.

I got to my destination (a friends house, FYI) and shut it off.

I started it a few hours later when I left. And, well, poo, it takes off in second gear, just like it used to. The anomoly had passed...

But I can't help but wonder...WTF!? has this ever happened to anyone else? does this suggest a weak or worn out transmission? It shifts very smoothly and doesn't lag in between gears (unless I put it in L and rev it to the shift dots, like I said before) so I don't think it's going bad.

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

How can a 240 take off in second gear......can it even move? I mean even a 1 degree slope and the 67hp might not be able to overcome.....

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Well, it does it. Certainly takes its time, but it does it. I usually (by usually I mean like 99.9999999% of the time) just throw it into first and shift up through the gears manually.

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

I think some of the older cars were supposed to start out in second unless you were REALLY getting on it. Does it go from second if you mash the pedal to the floor? Is your kickdown switch functioning properly??

Jay.

my kickdown switch is 100% non-functional. I always have to downshift manually.

I hit the pedal fast and hard every time I accelerate....I mean, it's a 240D, if I didn't floor it I'd be getting one finger salutes everywhere I go.

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

I laughed about four times just reading this thread.

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