what would happen if you jumpered (electrically) the kickdown switch on a 300D
(79) would the car now start in 1st gear and go through to 4th, Or would this cause problems for the tranmission? Anyone done this?

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1979 300D.

I don't know about your car, but mine always starts in 1st. It just doesn't kick down into 1st going around a corner.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Mine starts in second unless i floor the pedal, Maybe there is something wrong with mine

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1979 300D.

my pedal doesnt even hit the kickdown switch.. another thing i need to work on

If you floor it, the car will start out in first, unless you physically put the gear selector into first gear. Sometimes I would start my 300CD out in first, then work my way up the gears, lots of black smoke

It is normal for the older cars to start out in second. I think this ended with the 1980 model year??

Jay.

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On the road, currently:
'83 300D (German spec.) 168k mi. - - Wolfgang (tucked snugly away for the winter!)
'87 300D 375k mi. - finally went over to "The Dark Side"
'87 300TD 225k mi.
Cannondale 66cm CAAD5 w/Campy/Jamis Aurora
Hujsak Custom Fixie/Landshark Track Shark Custom/Ahearne Custom 29'er

If you have the 722.1 and older transmission in your diesel, you'll always start off in 2nd gear unless you hit the kickdown switch. If you have the 722.3 and newer transmission in your diesel, you start off in 1st gear, all the time. The last year for the 2nd gear start in the diesels was 1980.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Hawthorne, I think that it would work. I have a '77 240D with the automatic and it is really gutless on takeoff. I have thought about installing a momentary contact switch and tying it in with the kickdown. With the trans in Drive, you press the switch button and hold it until you are ready to shift into second and let off the button. I was going to install it on the shifter so it would be easy to use. I think that it would also be helpful to "kick down" the trans a gear without flooring it on slight hills. With a 240 automatic... you need all the help you can get!! Why they did this on the diesels, I'll never know.

I think that you could try the idea out without alot of hassle by unpluging the kickdown switch and rigging up a temporary momentary contact switch. In fact..... I think I might try it!

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.