Diseasal, no gummy ball joints. But when manually moving the accelerator linkage I saw it was slow to return. And on the next cold drive i recognized that the racing "felt" like cruise control when I took my foot of the gas. It didn't matter: with and without the ELR and/or OVP or ALDA - it still raced when cold. But unplugging the cruise actuator rod from the linkage and unplugging the cruise electrical connection freed and simplified the accelerator linkage. Until I messed with it, I didn't realize how intertwined the cruise is with the accelerator.

Maxbumpo, thanks for bringing up the cruise. When I read your first post I thought: cruise suddenly racing on the freeway - that's not my cold-start problem. But I recognized the fear of a runaway engine - that was like my problem. And when I saw the slow linkage return I found ways to use big screwdrivers like Sixto says. Max, I'm not sure the accelerator linkage rod was slipping in and out. It may have been overtightened stripping the plastic threads, but still tight enough to function as intended. And maybe it was my manual manipulating that pulled it out. I hadn't sensed any accelerator issues.

A quick warning about the cruise electric plug connection. Very Brittle. Recommend pulling up the hydraulic tank to get at the plug, then remove it from it's base, then unplug it.

Right hand thread 000 991 88 22

Left hand thread 000 991 90 22

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

Awesome, thanks! I shall add a couple sets to my next dealer order.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Guys, quick update. disconnecting the cruise control actuator rod from the accelerator linkage and unplugging the electric connection behind the ABS hydraulic tank solved the cold start = high revs problem. But I'm floored by the improvement in low rev acceleration created by modifying the ALDA. On top of that, while I had the car up to replace a wheelbearing, I adjusted the transmission shift dial up on the driver's side. It was dialed all the way to the counter-clockwise max, approx 2 o'clock. So I backed it clockwise to about 4:30 o'clock and Yowza! It now holds each gear longer into the turbo rev zone (over 2000k as I understand it) before shifting. And the kickdown leaps into play like it never has before. Curing this cruise control issue, adjusting the ALDA, and dialing back the tranny dial has really amped up the car's performance. The other day I decided to try passing a car on an uphill. It jumped like a gas car! That just was not possible before. I'm really satisfied with this performance, and I'm curious about what the tuning in tranny dial shift points. Should I aim for shifting at certain speeds/mph? or is it an rpm/shift target to aim for?