W126 US model S/W switch install?
 

Is it possible? I read, and it may be wrong, that the Euro models had it. Its something I would love to have on my 91. I can manually select 1st and it will shift to 2nd automatically. But then I have to shift to third since it will hold 2nd forever.

And since it may be related, what is this "E" switch on this 1990 SEC? Its alongside the shift selection indicator.

http://www.dwaycar.com/images/1990%20SEC/Interior/6.jpg

We'll wait for the experts...
 

But, I'm betting the other half (covered up) of that switch is "S" for Sport.
(The "E" would be for economy)

I thought it was "S" and "W". "S" for Standard and "W" for Winter.

It's more that just a switch, it's a different transmission.

If you're looking for a way to start off in 1st gear by setting a switch, rather than pulling the shifter down into Lo every time you stop, I have seen a few solutions over the years, but none that made me jump out and do it.
I wonder if that is what that switch on the SEC really is - a 1st-gear or 2nd- gear start option?
I understand the pre '86 W126 can be electrically rigged pretty easily, there is a thread herein that's only a couple months old about it.
The later 126 is not so easy as I understand it. One guy rigged a fairly complex electrical signal to trick the tranny into thinking the accelerator was floored, and it shifted quickly to 1st on takeoff. Another offered a modified valve body that was supposed to work, but he wanted pretty big bucks for it.
One guy said to just re-position a spring and ball in the valve body, but others said this would trash the tranny.
So, after 20 years, I never made a move, but still might if something good came along. One disadvantage I think might be that 1st gear engages the brake clutch (B3 I think) and this would put more abuse on this first-to-fail component in the 722 tranny.

Anyone got any updated info on this, all my reading on it is years old.

DG

Really? A different trans? I was thinking it was something more on the lines of electronic only because, unlike other gears, the car WILL shift out of first on its own and into second.

I will have to do some more reading.

that switch in W will make car start in second with a necessary solid push of the kickdown switch to get to first.in the other mode it will allow kick to first with the acc pedal without hitting kickdown switch and will hold each gear longer for better accel or quicker burning of gas[whichever floats your boat].

Different trans? Do you have any more information on this? I'd love to put that feature into my SDL, but couldn't figure out how they did it, unless the switch somehow changed the length of the bowden cable and the vacuum going to the modulator :confused:

-J

My SDL starts in first.



V8 cars are apparently easier to do with electronics, I6s require valve body upgrades as I understand.

Gotta love the DOT and EPA back in the 70s/80s

MY SDL starts in first too. I'd love to be able to force it to start in 2nd if I wanted to...

-J

Its great in the winter. My Mark VIII I setup to start in second when the snow was bad.

Ah okay, I understand you guys.

When it actually snows here, I just stay in... far too many people believe they can drive in it and the issues that arise from it are not worth the risk.