Hi there,

I have a 1998 E300 Turbodiesel with 100K. On the central console is a W/S switch. I believe this works as follows:- when set on 'W' car pulls off in 2nd gear - intended for winter use to prevent wheel spin on slippy/icy
roads. 'S' intended for summer use - car pulls off in 1st gear.

However, regardless of how this switch is set my car always pulls off in 2nd gear. I can manually select 1st gear, and the car does indeed pull off in 1st, but not when set in 'D'rive.

Any ideas?

Many thanks,
John

Faulty switch? Take the thing out and check to see what it will do with a DVOM.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Yep, this is the most common fault I have heard causing your symptoms. Some slob spills a coke or coffee on the shifter and the next thing you know the switches stop working.

The S setting not only starts off in 1st but shifts much more "sportingly" than it does in W. When I first bought my car and picked it up the PO had is set in W and I was really disappointed with its performance during that first drive...then I discovered S and my frown turned upside down.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Changes that speed too, doesn't it.

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raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

Yes, there is a second reverse speed.

Even when in "S," my E300 starts in second, unless I give it moderate pedal application--in which case it downshifts to first. I've always thought it was somewhat unrefined, but it makes sense: smooth starts in second for light pedal application, and somewhat sportier, edgier starts in first when you need to get going.

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99 E300 TD -- sold
01 540i 6 spd

I've never heard of this...in S setting mine always starts in 1st...maybe they made a change between 98 and 99 but I always thought all the 722.608 started in 1st in S mode.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

This is a very simple repair job, it should take you a couple of hours to do. The switch pushes down on the top of a small plastic pin to attain 'W' mode. The bottom of the pin connects to a small electrical switch. The pin with age gets stuck in the body of the plastic housing that supports it, which results in the transmission being held in 'W' mode. All you need to do is remove the pin, clean it up, shave a tiny bit of plastic from it, and put it back in.

Read this for instructions on how to disassemble the selector unit. Take care not to drop the linkage into the chassis.

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6722&highlight=switch

This is also a useful guide for those that have spilt drinks into the selector unit. Dealers will insist on a replacement. DIY folk will just use their common sense and clean the unit with alcohol.

I can confirm that in S mode mine starts out in 1st gear 100% of the time.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

That isn't normal behaviour. I would check the atf level.

In Florida and use summer mode. Starts in first alright. Downshifts more aggressively than US trannys too. Last Benz was a 240D new but it was manual four speed. Hey, at least this works well. Now for the duovalve to get the right side nozzle blowing cold and also will try to improve mpg from average 22. I did get 25 but that was 50/50 local and long distance.