Almost aways the bushings -- when the second one falls out, not only does the shifter start to rattle sometimes, but the lever will no longer push past the detent to Park -- tranny will go SNAP SNAP SNAP and the car will roll on slopes, too!.

If it still fails to start in Park, you need a new neutral safetly switch.

I've never managed to get the shifter side bushing in (will be attempting this in a pit rather than on the ground under the car on jack stands shortly). I always take the lever on the tranny off for this job -- unclip the rod, noting the hole it's in (there are usually three on the lever!), remove the clamp bolt (10mm head and nut), pull lever off and use a vice to shove the bushing through. Reinstallation is the reverse. The new style clips (as opposed to the ones on the 1970's cars) usually require two screwdrivers to install -- one to hold the clip open and drag it back over the end of the rod and another to push it down. You may need to use a block of wood or something to push the rod through the bushing, the little slot has to show.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!