The button only engaged the 5th gear if you were in 4th. It has it's own clutch supposedly, but always shifted a bit hard for me so I would clutch it like any other gear - especially on ice. I recall that it was bolted on between the transmission and the driveshaft and functioned externally and independently to the manual transmission except for the 4th gear interlock, although it's been so long that I can't remember what the thing looked like from underneath.
I distinctly remember that the 700 series that followed was "tinny" (lightweight and flimsy) compared to the 240's. The 240's gave you a solid cluck when you closed the doors. The 700's vibrated and resonated through the sheetmetal and frame. That's why I never got another Volvo. The Peugeot had comfier seats, even better than the Mercedes of the day, but there is no way I'd buy a car made in France; and I'm French. -Dave Walton On 11/25/06, Sunil Hari <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
totally OT question - how did that electronic OD work? I test drove a 1988 740 GLE wagon with a 5-speed as you describe (button on top of gearshift for 5th) and to this day, I have no idea how it works. I can't figure out how the lever stays in 4th but how you get another gear. And I regret not buying it - red leather interior, excellent condition, TONS of space (wagon!), manual sunroof. On 11/25/06, dave walton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I bought an 84 240 in 85. It lasted ~10 years before it rusted away. > The manual transmission had a bolt on electronic overdrive that gave > you a 5th gear when you pressed the little square button on top of the > gear shift knob. Reminded me of the James Bond ejector seat. Had to > replace the leaking front crankshaft seal somewhere around year 8 or > so. Easy to work on. Very simple design. No fancy electronics. Mirrors > and windows were all manual on my base model. The diesels of that > vintage were 6 cylinders and thus had a 260 designation on the title, > but were not labeled as such on the vehicle. A friend had one. You > needed a tailwind and steep hill to get the thing past 80 mph. > > -Dave Walton > 87SDL, 94S350, 99E300 > > On 11/24/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Are the Volvo 240 series a good car? I think they are 4 cylinders. I > seem > > to recall these being one of the high mileage gassers > > > > Friend of mine is looking around 1983-1989 vintage. > > > > Are they easy to work on? Any stories? > > > > Regards Tom Scordato > > Bellefonte PA > > 1979 240D > > > > > > > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > -- Sunil Hari 1992 300D 2.5T - 290Kmi. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 513-205-7474 _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
