This morning, the transmichigan shop told me that, in overhauling Mercedes automatic transmissions, they normally do not replace the neutral safety switch. [In Fords, they always do.] So, since AFAIK this car has never had this switch replaced, I would not be surprised in a failure after 13 years and 262,000 miles.

So I stopped by the dealer and ordered a new switch ($50 after MBCA discount). Monday the car goes to the tranny shop where the switch will be installed. Then we'll see how it does.

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970