I don't know how many gears I actually have. Does my car start from 2nd in drive? If so is their a way to check my first gear to see if it exists? My reverse is bad feeling too. You can't give it any gas or it feels like the transmission will flip out. Should I be able to go more than five miles an hour in reverse? I'm just not convinced I have a fourth gear.....Shifts twice from the start and no third shift? Help ease my mind. Tell me good things.....

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1984 300d....

Should start in 1st. Manually shift it up thru the gears and see what you get. Yes, you should be able to go fast in reverse.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

It's an automatic. What do you mean manually shift it up through the gears? What's wrong with the reverse gear????

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1984 300d....

Control the shifts with the shifter instead of starting in D. L should be first.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I tried L and it felt like first all right but it doesn't shift into second in L. I'm assuming it's supposed to?

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1984 300d....

I'm not sure of the exact sequence but I think that L is just first, the next position is second and third, and D is fourth. Maybe the second position is just second and D is third and fourth. Someone else should know for sure.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Do you need to let off the gas when you shift from L to S and then S to D?

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1984 300d....

Any idea on the reverse issue?

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1984 300d....

Have you checked the fluid level?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

It looks good. I haven't changed the fluid and filter out yet and I'm sure it needs it. Might that help?

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1984 300d....

Change fluid and filter, use Mobil 1.

Does the shifter feel sloppy? Kind of wiggly and not firm when shifting. I a problem with reverse being slow and going in and out. Replaced the plastic bushings in the shifter mechanism under the car. Now it works great.

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1983 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo Diesel
389,000 miles, that speaks for itself.

I have same concern. When I start from a stop sign with the lever in the "D" position I can feel only 3 shifts not 4. what could be the problem?? it shifts fine from S to L and then to D, so is mine a 3 speed 1082 240D??