I have a '83 300D. It always starts in first gear no matter how gently I press on the throttle. I thought it only went into first gear at full throttle. At 10 mph it goes to second, at 20 mph to third, and at 40 mph to
fourth gear. Is this normal?

I can't remember if this had the first gear start, but my gut says that 2nd is where it is supposed to start. Look under the pedal and make sure the switch is OK.

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Benzmac:
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quote:

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Originally posted by Benzmac:
I can't remember if this had the first gear start, but my gut says that 2nd is where it is supposed to start. Look under the pedal and make sure the switch is OK.

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I disconnected the switch under the pedal, it
still starts in firt gear.

If the car makes a hard downshif just before stopping then it is initially starting out in first gear. This car should sit at rest in second gear and downshift to first when the throttle is applied. Most likely you have little or no vaccum to the modulator valve. Check for vaccum at the black line as it comes off the injection pump to the modulator. There should be vaccum at idle.