another tranny question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kmaysob · #1 11-19-2003, 02:38 AM

on my 1983 300sd when i take off my car starts in second. its not getting first gear. im wondering if its a vacuum problem. does anyone know what the problem could be.also off the topic when i turn off the ignition it keeps running and eventualy dies when its starved for gas. i read that it could be oil in the vacuum lines. on the igniton where the lines connect up its covered in oil. do i just disconnect the lines and clean them? and one more question. i need to get the trailing arm off to replace it. the shock absorber busted through it. i cant get he bolt loose. one of them i cant even get a wrench on it. does anyone know how i can get it off. any info would be greatly appreciated

85drtysthbenz · #2 11-19-2003, 09:54 PM

first i would check really well to see if there are any vac lines that have become disconnected,i had one a while back that didnt want to stay in place,and when it would come undone my car wouldnt shut down unless i hit the STOP lever...and im not sure,but your car not getting first gear could be related to loss of vac pressure as well.....try to locate a disconnected vac line first,if that doesnt help your shifting,you could possibly have a faulty kickdown switch located under the accelerator

notlostmaybe · #3 11-19-2003, 10:52 PM

mercedes auto tranmissions sit in second, to drop to first, floor
it. there is a kickdown switch under the pedal.
the fuel isnt cuting off because of a vacume leak

#4 11-19-2003, 11:05 PM

quote:
"mercedes auto tranmissions sit in second, to drop to first, floor
it. there is a kickdown switch under the pedal."

I don't think your statement is accurate for this model. Mine always returns to first gear when I stop.

85drtysthbenz · #5 11-20-2003, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oilburninokie
I don't think your statement is accurate for this model. Mine always returns to first gear when I stop. [/B]

the original poster was talking about a 300SD, not a 300D..im not sure how it is with your car,but mine is the same as his,and it does the same thing....to get it to start off in 1st gear you have to engage the kickdown switch under the accelerator...if you were to just casually press the pedal,it will start off in 2nd every time

lietuviai · #6 11-20-2003, 12:53 AM

I wish that my 300D would start out in second right now. This car has no traction whatsoever in any kind of snow or slushy stuff. Sometimes even on rain soaked roads the tires will spin a bit before they grab and I have some good tires on it. I had snow tires on the car for a few days but they are terrible on dry pavement. I've tried all sorts of ways to try to drive it on slippery roads with no good luck. Looks like it'll spend most of the winter parked.

85drtysthbenz · #7 11-20-2003, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lietuviai
I wish that my 300D would start out in second right now. This car has no traction whatsoever in any kind of snow or slushy stuff. Sometimes even on rain soaked roads the tires will spin a bit before they grab and I have some good tires on it. I had snow tires on the car for a few days but they are terrible on dry pavement. I've tried all sorts of ways to try to drive it on slippery roads with no good luck. Looks like it'll spend most of the winter parked.

one thought that comes to mind,if you have an ALDA on your car(im guessing only the turbo's have this?) maybe you could adjust it clockwise a turn or so, that would help lose a little off the line power in slippery conditions

lietuviai · #8 11-20-2003, 08:08 PM

That's an idea I haven't tried but I'm not sure how far back I can go before it affects drivability. I had adjusted it up for more off the line power last summer. Even before I had adjusted it, I had trouble with traction.