Is there a way to start the engine without the use of the starter?

On manual transmission cars I'm told that you can "push start" the car.

But what about an automatic MB?

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JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

Do you still have the owners manual? It tells you exactly the correct way to do it.

If you don't, the quick-n-dirty summary is this: Turn on the key to unlock the steering, place the transmission into N, tow to 30mph, turn the key all the way on to energize the glowplugs, shift into D until the engine starts, and shift back into N.

My '87 manual says shift to 2nd.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

So does mine.

It also says "tow vehicle to speed of approx 15mph, move gear selector into the "S" or "2" position with the key in the #2 "run" position, and the engine will start.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Never saw anyone starting an automatic that way. If you could put it on jack stands and have some rub type device to roll the back wheels that could work.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

Has anyone actually done a roll start with an auto trans?

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

ya. I just rolled it down the hill in front of my place.

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All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to stand by and do nothing.

Too many people tip toe through life, never attempting or doing anything great, hoping to make it safely to death... Bob Proctor

'95 S320 LWB
'87 300SDL
'04 E500 wagon 4matic

The early trans' had a rear pump...so they can be bump/tow started....although your'll need to get up to 30 mph to make it happen in the cold.
If you tow one....it will feel like you hit deep sand when the '2' loads up the engine.

You need a HEAVY chain or rope....a thin one will snap like wet spaghetti

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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

And a strong towing car (torque), A geo metro will not suffice, it'd probably just drag it to a stop. (and no engine start )

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Why would you ever need to actually attempt to push start an automatic? That should be your last option and then only if stranded in the Dakar. There are 28,300 shops listed for starter repair or parts in Raleigh, NC.

Please find A SAFER, SMARTER way.

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Bama1


2008 SLK 280, Firemist Red - "Hurricane"
2001 F150 Lariat 4x4, Black on Black - "Badboy"
1982 240D 4 speed survivor -"Pearl" - Donated to Vietnam Veterans
1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 -"Gertrude"

1954 model original owner - ~2.5M
Gray softtop/solid exterior/modified chassis

But where is the fun in that?

__________________
JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

If you have a battery thats going bad not all these cars out there today can jumpstart a 3 liter with 21:1 compression.

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green 85 300SD 200K miles "Das Schlepper Frog" With a OM603 TBO360 turbo ( To be intercooled someday )( Kalifornistani emissons )
white 79 300SD 200K'ish miles "Farfegnugen" (RIP - cracked crank)
desert storm primer 63 T-bird "The Undead" (long term hibernation)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/fe-graphs/sig692a.png

I actually experienced that with a guy in a minivan that help me jump start the 300SD.
He had to over-rev the MPV to get the starter even moving. The battery was a tiny 7"cube. I would not ask a Geo metro driver to help me start these diesels.

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Aquilae non capunt muscas! (Eagles don't hunt flies!)


1979 300SD Black/Black MBtex239000mi
1983 300TD euro-NA. White/Olive Cloth-MBtex 201000mi. Fleet car of the USA embassy in Morocco
1983 240D Labrador Blue/Blue MBtex 161000mi

it is also a way to start a car that has been sitting a long time and has borderline compression.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Unless you must start it right away, why not use a trickle charger? Let it charge for a few days or even a week. Slow charging a dead battery will let the power soak in and minimize sulfation on the battery's plates.

Take the battery out of the car, keep it in a warm (but ventilated) place, and keep it off concrete (Set it on a block of wood).