Override the 2nd gear startout for a w129?

[chillcat]

I was told that there used to be a gadget that could be installed on the car to keep the transmission from going into 2nd gear while starting out from a stop. I don't like the slow responce when leaving traffic lights, even with the AC on. Hoping someone with valuable info can chime in.

[tecqboy]

The company was "bergwerks", but they folded up shop. Search the forum for info. Some members of this forum have built homebrew units and maybe one of them will help you out. I have learned that the really few times I need a 1st gear start, it isn't all that difficult to move the shifter all the way down for a moment, then back to D, to preset the 1st gear start. 1st gear is really low ( on my 5 speed 300SL ), so I end up quickly spinning the RPM's way up.

[bobterry99]

I hated the 2nd-gear start on a '91 SL that I had. I wired a switch in parallel with the "B" switch at the rear of the shift lever housing, and by pressing the switch the transmission would downshift to 1st gear. I described that circuit on another forum, and someone requested that it be automated to always start in 1st without having to press a switch. The result is this circuit: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1274430-diy-first-gear-start-circuit.html?