"Chris" <chaney@mindspring.com> haute in die Tasten:

I was afraid you would ask. The 240D automatic has a vacuum system which
is (at least in germany) responsible for:

- turning off the engine
- controlling the auto transmission
- operating the central door lock system
- operating the headlight level mechanism

The system should hold vacuum that much, that you are able to lock and
unlock all doors up to eight times without running the engine. If some of
the components I have menitoned show erraneous function, it is very
likely that you have some leak in this system of vacuum hoses. In my case
the car would not shut off, and the gearbox refused to use the upper
gear. The Mercedes mechanic took off a vacuum hose under the bonnet (near
the diesel injection pump) cleaned it with a paper clip and popped it on
again. It was a 30 second job, and the problem was gone.

As I did not do it on my own, you will have to find the faulty hose on
your own, I assume. Sorry for that.

Frank

   All of them :^/