I disconected the kick down switch and adjusted the bowden rod and still no 4th gear. Reverse, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd are all fine. i got it up to tennessee hwy speeds around 80 and still nothing. What could cause this?

You know it starts in 2nd right?

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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 had no idea.. well i guess i fixed that then.. thanks

What kerry said. You'd have noticed if you were going 80 in third gear, the engine would have been revved REALLY high. If you want to start in first. Come to a complete stop then shift it into low. Then take off, then shift to second, then put it in drive. You'll get more take off power this way.

Anyone know why MB made these early 123 autos start in second. It really kills the off the line take off.

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While at a stop, you can drop it into low, then back into drive and it will start in first for that sequence. It will also drop into first if you floor it and hit the kickdown switch. I'm assuming they did it for fuel economy reasons?? It's nice in the winter because the engine doesn't have enough power to spin the tires in snow in 2nd gear

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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 was told eons ago, and it's probably a myth, but Mercedes liked to have 2nd gear roll off because it was "smoother" and less abrupt for passengers being chauffeured or taxied around???

My car is running at around 3,000 RMP at 65-70 is this 3rd or 4th gear?

I heard it was to reduce the brake effort needed to hold the car at a stop in gear. I had a car that was equipped with that "feature" once. I thought it was the dumbest design flaw (aside from having an automatic transmission in the first place) on the car.

3000 rpm at 70 is about what my 300D does in 4th gear.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Remember with these early w123s there is a bushing where the control pressure rod aka Bowden rod meets the trans...,,usually long gone by now....

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 110-277-05-50-M22

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I was under the impression it started that way in the NA vehicles due to the low rear gearing needing brakes to hold the car at a stop in 1st, but gravity only or nearly no braking effort in 2nd.
but yeah, if you hook the kickdown button back up, flooring it should get you a first gear start.
3.46 rear coupled with a torquey 5 cylinder diesel makes for an interesting stoplight trick in 1st gear... but I can see where 2nd gear start would be much smoother for the light footed drivers too... 1st gear start would be clunky I'd bet with a light foot...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

It wasn't just early 123's. All preceding Mercedes 4 spd auto's were the same.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

um... what?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

The n/a five cylinder early cars like your 77 are undergeared for todays highway speeds. You could not get as high as you where with fourth gear offline I suspect.

Or the engine would be screaming like mad if you did. With fourth functional it is almost bad enough.

Would an '82 240 suppose to start in 2nd? I barely get first, as in, it will shift out of first by idling with foot of the brake and I would almost rather start in second.

All Mercedes Benz 4 spd autos were second gear start prior to the 123. The 114/115, 108, 116 etc.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S