First Gear Start for 95 E300D?
 

Is there a mod for a first gear start in a 95 E300 Diesel? This engine is lacking in take off power and starting in 2nd gear just adds to the problem. Flooring the pedal seems a bit harsh, especially when trying to save as much fuel as possible.

putting shifter in L should do it.
I didnot know any diesel's started in 2nd...

You have heard that before. You just chose to not believe it.

If your 95 e300d is lacking power....
Replace air filter
Replace fuel filter
Clean fuel tank strainer
Disable EGR
Make sure both resonance flaps are operating

There is no L setting, just D ,3, 2.
I will check on the engine tune up, but would still like to be able to start in 1st gear.

"2" is the equivalent of "L."

Question for anyone: Could this be a Transmission Pressure Contol Cable (Boden Cable) adjustment issue?

I think 2=2nd....in 2 it starts off just as it does in D.

At a stop pull the shifter to 2 and back to D, it should stay in 1 for launch.

I don't know how to change the throttle body to a 1st-gear start or whether it should.

My '95 will start in first if I put the selector in 2, and hold in first until I move the selector up. If I move it to 2 and then back to D it will start in first but quickly upshift unless I have it floored.

While coasting down, if I put the selector in 2 it will finally shift down to first almost when the car is stopped.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 337K as of this morning

The PO just had some transmission work done on this car. The PO said the tech told him it would be now be slower off the line but it would last longer. What did he do?

A few things are possible, the most likely being lengthening the Bowden Cable so that upshifts are earler relative to throttle position.

I tried the shifting to 2 and back to D option last night. Didn't change anything. I checked the bowden cable and made several adjustments, no change.

I have to correct what I said yesterday. Even though I've lived with this car for 200K miles and about 7 years, I had it wrong.

My trans starts in first, always. At least assuming I am starting from a complete stop. The thing is that it upshifts to second almost immediately unless I am really on the pedal. No need to shift to 2 and then back to D to get it to start in first.

Of course this does nothing to help you - sorry! But I believe my trans is working correctly.

Rgds,
Chris W.

I'm wondering if someone put a 300E transmission in your car. Still should select 1st manually though.