The TDM lists specific models with this "won't shift down" behaviour. Some 123/124/201 models behave differently than others, and as you say the shift gate pattern is no particular indicator. Specifically, the 1984/85 190E 2.3 and 190D 2.2 are listed in the TDM, but it presumably boils down to a specific build date that may or may not coincide with the model year. IIRC there are also a couple of 124 models listed, but I don't have the TDM with me and so cannot look them up right now.
Curt: what is the build date on your 190D, and is it a 2.2? Alex Chamberlain wrote: > >I find this hard to believe. Do you mean that you can't force the >transmission into first even by moving the lever to position 2 at a >stop? Why would D-B go to the trouble of making a special >transmission without this feature? It wouldn't affect fuel economy >ratings, since the transmission would behave the same if left in D. > >> I assume this related to the shift gate being labelled D/3/2 instead of >> D/S/L. > >FWIW, both of the 722.x cars I have, an '86 300E and '87 300D, have >the same shift gate, yet the 300D starts in first and the 300E in >second (but can be forced to start in first by putting the lever in >position 2 when stopped). The shift gate is not a reliable indicator >of transmission behavior. > >Alex _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com