E200 124 1994 model always starts in 1st gear.

[ellie]

E200 124 1994 Model, can anyone give me ideas as to why my car always pulls away in first gear, checked linkages and made adjustments car changes gears better than before but still starts in first.
Would be gratefull for any ideas.

 

[kid-jensen]

ellie,

You sure it should?

That's a tot of weight for a 2-litre engine to drag away in second............may be deliberate.

 

[joe bloggs]

Should take off in 2nd, unless you give it extra gas and it is switched to S, when it will start in 2nd but drop to 1st for a quick(ish) take-off :lol: , check the g/box control cable adjustment (at the throttle linkage)

 

[ellie]

E200 124 1994 Model, can anyone give me ideas as to why my car always pulls away in first gear, checked linkages and made adjustments car changes gears better than before but still starts in first.
Would be gratefull for any ideas.

Dealer (MB of Newcastle.) insists the car should always start in first gear , but the car doesnt feel as smooth as my previous cars (420 SE & 190E autos) perhaps just to heavy a car for engine size as suggested.

 

[pentoman]

I think these later model W124's started in First. Later ones start in second.

 

[JonathanC]

Later W124s should start in first not second. I have a '93 E200 which does exactly the same, asked my local specialist and the confirmed that it should start in first. Mine also isn't always as smooth as it should be despite new oil, filter check cable adjustment. I have heard that the vacum control on the gearbox needs adjusting, can anyone confirm this?

Cheers

 

[JonathanC]

Later W124s should start in first not second. I have a '93 E200 which does exactly the same, asked my local specialist and the confirmed that it should start in first. Mine also isn't always as smooth as it should be despite new oil, filter check cable adjustment. I have heard that the vacum control on the gearbox needs adjusting, can anyone confirm this?

Cheers

 

[dieselman]

I have heard that later 4 speed Hydraulic boxes do indeed start in first not second.