380 SL 1st gear problem. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Kimo · #1 03-04-2006, 11:19 PM

My 380 SL does not have a 1st gear. It does not down shift nor does it go into 1st using the shift lever. Has anyone else had this trouble? The transmission fluid is clean and smells ok. Is this something that can be repaired without taking the transmission out? I'm driving it now as a 3 speed starting out in 2nd and all the other gears are OK.

nobby · #2 03-05-2006, 12:06 AM

If I am not mistaken, the 4 speed automatic is designed to start in 2nd gear. The only way to access first gear is with the kickdown switch. There is also a contraption that can be installed from Bergworks that will let the trani start in first. Consult your owners manual.

Kimo · #3 03-05-2006, 12:59 AM

I am really confused! I bought this car about a year ago and I thought it was a 3 speed until just recently when I came accross other postings on this subject. Mine is a '81 and has the PRNDSL pattern. The owners manual says its an 4 speed and doesn't say anything about starting in 2nd. I think I'll bring it to the dealer and see what they say.

Walrus · #4 03-05-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimo

I am really confused! I bought this car about a year ago and I thought it was a 3 speed until just recently when I came accross other postings on this subject. Mine is a '81 and has the PRNDSL pattern. The owners manual says its an 4 speed and doesn't say anything about starting in 2nd. I think I'll bring it to the dealer and see what they say.

No need to take to a dealer just yet. Like the other poster told you, these cars start off in 2nd gear. There are two ways without any "add-on" gadgets to start off in or engage first. #1 nail the throttle to the floor on TO... the car will shift down to first and launch, if the kickdown switch and gear is working. #2- move the lever to "L", then sideays toward the right to engage the "B" switch. Then the car will TO in first.

Search the fora at mbnz.org for first gear start, or look at this forum for the links to first gear start. Very well documented issue.

Good Luck!

ctaylor738 · #5 03-05-2006, 06:25 PM

If you mash the throttle at a stop, you should get first gear. You should also get it if you shift into L at a stop.

Kimo · #6 03-05-2006, 06:44 PM

I just got back from a sucessful test drive. I found 1st gear - finally! This is how it works in my car. It does not shift to 1st when I am in D but it does when in L. L starts out in 2nd but shifts to 1st when I punch it and hit the kick down switch. I have had this car for about a year and this is the first time it was in 1st. Now the question is is this normal or is there something misadjusted. It's funny, my owners manual doesn't say anything about 1st being anywere unusual. I'm relieved because it doesn't seem like there is anything seriously wrong with the transmission. My shifter goes PRNDSL and the car is a '81.

C32AMG · #7 03-05-2006, 08:12 PM

It should have a 1st gear start in “D” when flooring the gas pedal. You have to adjust the gas pedal,
For it to touch, active the kick down switch. The switch or gas pedal should have a means of adjustment
Look under the gas pedal for a threaded rod.

Kimo · #8 03-06-2006, 09:58 PM

Thanks to everyone that replied to my posting. I do not have my problem fixed yet but I think I am on the right track toward resolving the problem. This whole 2nd gear start issue is very confusing. I don't know why MB decided to do it that way. My '96 C class starts out in 1st and I don't see any problems doing it that way. Anyway, thanks again and when I fix it I will write a final message describing the fix.

Kimo · #9 03-08-2006, 12:37 AM

More Info. My Owners Manual says the following: Drive - All gears available. The vehicle starts off in 1st gear. So I must have a problem with the transmission. I doesn't downshift to 1st when I am in "D". But it does when I am in "L". The manual says that in "L" - Upshifting to 2nd gear only. That works, but when I'm in "D" I do not go into 1st gear. I need to know more about how the transmission actually works. Something is not engaging something that shifts the transmission to 1st when I'm in "D". More research needed...

ctaylor738 · #10 03-08-2006, 11:05 AM

FWIW, my 1981 380SL, and all other SL's I have driven, started in 2nd unless you mashed the pedal, or pulled the shifter into L. I am surprised that your manual says it should start in 1st.

Personally, I think you are better off in normal driving with a 2nd gear start - 1st is very quick and abrupt.

Walrus · #11 03-08-2006, 11:28 AM

Kimo,

Could you supply us with the model tranny you have? Is this a euro car, federalized, or US spec export?

With a rear-end ratio of 3.27:1, I would think the second gear start would be appropriate and adequate for most normal driving.

I may be mistaken in my post above as I do not have personal experience with a 380, but on the 560, in the L position of the shift lever, there is a little covered gate, which engages a switch (the "B" switch). This energizes the selenoid for first gear, used for engine braking as instructed in the manual, but also provides first gear start. Does that gate exist on the 380?

Kimo · #12 03-08-2006, 04:20 PM

My car does not have the "B" position. PRNDSL is all it has. I'm just going by the owners manual and trying to figure out why my car doesn't do what the owners manual says it should. The book says "D" - All gears available. The vehicle starts in 1st, "S" - Upshifting to 3rd only, "L" - Upshifting to 2nd only. My car: "D" - 2,3,4 (kickdown works from 4th to 3rd but not 2nd to 1st), "S" - 2,3 (kickdown works to 2nd), "L" - 1st and 2nd (kickdown works to 1st). I don't know, maybe thats normal but it is not what the manual says. The tag on the door post says Meets USEPA - I'm not sure if that pinpoints the tye of car. It is not a euro car. The owners manual I have is not the original, it is a reproduction I got from my dealer. BTW, the 2nd gear start is adequate.

page62 · #13 03-08-2006, 04:57 PM

This is quite deliberate on the part of MB. I'm pretty sure they did it in order to get sufficient EPA fuel economy.

Quite frankly, I'm not sure it's worth fussing with...

Kimo · #14 03-08-2006, 05:11 PM

Maybe this is normal for this car. I just want to know if I have a problem or not. I wish I could find some information about this transmission.

ctaylor738 · #15 03-08-2006, 06:01 PM

I have an owner's manual for the US 1981 model year. It says the same thing as yours. I think it is a misprint.

So stop worrying about your transmission and start worrying about whether you have a single timing chain, how long your idle valve is going to last, whether your slide rails are brittle and about to break, whether your chain tensioner holds pressure, whether your timimg chain has stretched, if you have vacuum leaks, and how long before your climate control servo gives out. Not to mention when your fuel pump relay will quit and leave you stranded.