Shifting manually does exactly the same thing as an automatic shift. As long as you don't downshift to 1st at 5,000 RPM, or some other equally stupid move, then you're not going to do any harm.

Mike

__________________
_____
1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
_____
1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
_____
1985 300TD
270,000 miles
_____
1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

I hit it every chance I get!

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

I'm not a gearhead by any means - so I'm trying to figure out the logic on this "kickdown switch" thread. I have a '77 300D where the pedal is on the floor quite often. I've never experienced anything different when I have it there. From what I'm reading it seems like the switch in essence downshifts the car to either slow down or adjust to steep grades. I've always used the shift lever if needed in these instances. It would appear to defy logic however - say I'm coming to a red light and want to slow down via downshifting the trany. I would actually put the pedal to the floor as I approach cars and this would slow me down? Please advise - otherwise on the way home today I may end up in someone's back seat

If you are turning 2k rpm in 4th gear and want to pass the kick down switch knocks the trans down a gear. So all of a sudden you are doing 3k in 3rd and now you can move. Cars without much power need them more. If you were to push the throttle hard enough in say an SL65 to engage the kick down switch you would probably break the rear end lose.

Your car has one look under the throttle pedal. It is just a switch that sends a signal to the trans to downshift.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

So diesel owners, I have a question... I just got my kickdown switch working (the rod the go pedal attaches to was actually bent so the top of the pedal missed the switch!), and it works great except for one thing... if I hold the pedal all the way down clicking the switch it never upshifts, it just hangs on the 4100 RPM limiter. Is this normal behavior?

Thanks,

-Jason

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I'd say not, though I'm by no means an expert on the subject.

One time on my first 87 300D, I stuck my foot in it and kept it there, from about 45 mph, to test out the kickdown switch, and also observe a temp boost gauge I had hooked up to see if the turbo and wastegate were functioning properly.

They were.

I do remember it shifted back into 4th at 70 mph and was still pulling like a mule. At that point, I decided discretion was the better part of valor before the local gendarme took offense at my impromptu road test.

Bloody shame they put that engine and gearing combo in a 300 for only one year.

__________________
Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club

Not much lately. My kickdown switch (well the black top of it anyway) has disappeared!

I first noticed it missing about a year ago, but haven't really missed it because when I put my foot down it always gives me a lower gear. Mine is a later W124 so it may be different.

Still a mystery where it has gone to. All I can think is went up the vacuum cleaner.

__________________
1995 E300 Diesel

it's not hanging on the 4100 rev limiter... the rev limiter is 5500... it's holding on lack of power, change your fuel filters. or adjust the accelerator linkage to get full travel of the IP!

__________________
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 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Rev limiter on the 603.970 is 4100 RPM.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Rev limiter != max shift point

That's why you turn it up

I bet a dollar that accessories fail before the internals.

__________________
08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

For the 603.960, Bentley's lists 5150 rpm "max engine speed unloaded" and max HP at 4600.

Regardless, still sounds as if something's not right - should still walk thru the gears after hitting the "go fast" switch.

__________________
Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club

My 400E kick down was down right dangerous. Every time you hit it the rears would break loose. Just thinking of someone else driving it in the rain gave me chills.

My TE kick down sometimes causes a wheel to spin. It's cool to see a car that is normally kinda sluggish with the 2nd gear start REALLY jump to life when you kick it down.

My 300D no longer has an automatic so "kick down" is done manually, literally. I maintain that it pulls like my 400E when on the highway.... it does pretty well.

__________________
08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

I bet I can turn it up to 4600 at least, that's what the limiter of the 603.971 was set to at the factory and my engine has the same internals. I may eventually do this, but as they say get it running right stock before you mod

Amen to that.

Few people over on the LOST Jeep Liberty CRD forum learned that lesson the hard way with a trashed engine and/or tranny. And if you think parts for a 603 are expensive, try a limited run high pressure common rail engine with a 3 grand injection pump and $800 EACH electronic injectors.

__________________
Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club