Hello fellow Benz enthusiasts!
I have recently bought a 1985 Mercedes 190e with manual transmission and I am in the process of cleaning it up and making it roadworthy (it’s been sitting neglected for last 8 years).
My question is: how do I put the shifter in reverse gear? Do I need to press down on the shifter and put in reverse? I tried that but the shifter doesn’t move down.
I can shift into all five forward gears fine but I can not put it in reverse.
I got underneath the car and moved all shifter rods/links with my hand and they all go forwards and back and engage in respective gears.
I think the problem is in the shifter. Also, in Haynes repair manual it says that there should be a “spring clip” on the gearchange lever tube and I don’t see one.
Could that be an issue?
Please send any input and thank you all very much

The shift pattern should be as follows
1 3 5
2 4 R
Push down for reverse

This is assuming you are not a lucky person who has a dogleg from a 16v, if so then the shift patter would be
R 2 4
1 3 5
Lift up for reverse

Hope this helps. It would help to post a photo of the shift pattern from the gear shift.

I attached a photo from another thread on here.
Manual Gearshift Pattern Question

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
63 190d (sold)
69 220D (sold)
69 280SL (sold)
76 BMW 2002 (sold)
86 190E-16v (Demised at Laguna Seca Turn 9)
87 300SDL (sold)
87 300SDL 135k
87 300TD 280k (sold)
95 E320W 211k
95 E320w 111k
05 C320 4matic
06 E320 CDI 90k (Totaled by a texting 19 year old girl in a nissan)
2013 GLK 250 Bluetek 4MATIC

Thank you for your reply. My shift knob has the same gear shift pattern on it as in the picture you posted. My issue is that the shift lever doesn’t go down when I push on it. I decided to pull the shifter mechanism out and partially disassemble it to see if I can find the problem.

Before you pull the shift apart, check the alignment of the linkage. In neutral there is an alignment hole that a pin must fit through. This get everything in the correct location. Could be that it is our of alignment and that doesn't let the tranny go into revers.

__________________
63 190d (sold)
69 220D (sold)
69 280SL (sold)
76 BMW 2002 (sold)
86 190E-16v (Demised at Laguna Seca Turn 9)
87 300SDL (sold)
87 300SDL 135k
87 300TD 280k (sold)
95 E320W 211k
95 E320w 111k
05 C320 4matic
06 E320 CDI 90k (Totaled by a texting 19 year old girl in a nissan)
2013 GLK 250 Bluetek 4MATIC

Ok, good idea, I will check that alignment first. Thanks

Look at this thread
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/373964-w201-w124-5-speed-shifter-refurbishment.html

Thank you for that link. I checked the alignment and it was good so I took the shifter apart and found out that the shifter lever was stuck in the housing (yolk) and it wouldn’t move up and down on the internal spring. I freed it up so now it moves fine. I will see after I clean everything and reassemble if it will go in reverse gear. Will keep you posted….

Glad you found it. I was going to suggest you might have a dog leg shifter on a non dog leg trans.....or just the wrong shift knob.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks for your suggestions. I reassembled everything and now it shifts into reverse just fine. Oil/filter, diff and tranny fluid and coolant flush and she should be ready for a first test drive….

Cool!

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.