I had the starter rebuilt so I know thats not the problem the battery is fine also. I had a mobile mechanic come over and check it out he had some kind of tool which acted as a switch to test my starter and he turned the engine over. So I am almost positive it is the starter switch or some electrical nightmare. I was wondering if anyone could tell me where is the starter switch, I'm thinking its behind the instrument cluster but I don't remember where I got that info. any other help or info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

The ignition switch is in the cluster. You could also have a bad neutral safety switch. Have you moved the gear selector around when trying to start the engine?

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

You can bypass the ignition switch and do what your mechanic did by jumping the 1st and third wires (screws) in the junction box on the right front inner fender. This will allow you to get by until you resolve the switch problem. There's a thread here somwhere describing your problem as caused by dirty contacts and a description of how to clean them.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

lol tool, i usually just use a 17mm wrench Sounds like you have a bad neutral saftey switch.

__________________
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

I have tried moving it around, does nothing different, I have checked the ground strap for it by the tranny though, where is the neutral safety switch?

The junction box is that the box with the springs? and it has a plug going into it? 1st and 3rd wires of the starter? dirty contacts in the junction box? sorry for the odd questions I'm new to D.I.Y repairs and mechanics in general , I will be taking a diesel engine course soon

Thanks for everyones Help.

The neutral safety switch is mounted on the tranny, I just can't remember which side. It's been a long day so far...sorry.

I think it's on the driver's side and is connected to the gear selector linkage.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

That is correct.

Junction box doesn't have the springs but a plastic cover with three wires going into it on top of the inner fender.

Dirty contacts in the ignition switch.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Cool, Thanks. Craig!

I wonder...can you "bypass" the NSS by using a jumper at the plug in, for testing only? I would not recommend leaving it like that, as accidents can and do happen...

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

The NSS appears to have 4 contacts, I'm not sure which ones you would want to jumper:

http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ426A129GTI&year=1981&make=MB&model=300-D-002&category=J&part=Neutral+Safety+Switch

Thanks for your help guys.
I'm still not sure where the junction box is, on the inner right passenger side of the fender I do not see anything but that box with the springs, do I have to access from the bottom or something I can't find it maybe my model doesn't have it? I have pics if u want.

For testing purposes do I just wire the battery straight to the starter to see if it goes? theres three spots I can cross I think I'm not sure which one, Theres the main wire which goes from starter to solenoid, the solenoid wire from the battery and the small negative wire I believe. do I use a wrench or something I heard.

Another question is do you recommend someone with minimal experience with mechanics change the nss ? is it something technical? and what exactly is involved, do I need to change the tranny fluid for this?

Small plastic box in front of battery on top of fender with three wires feeding into it from the engine side about 3x2 or a little smaller.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

OH YEAH you read it right She's ALIVE.

I still could not find that junction box I don't think I have it the wires go right into my passenger side firewall.
So I decided to follow the trail of the starting issue to the NSS.
I saw instantly when I looked at it the plastic was off the switch where the wires connect to exposing the wires. So I'm sure I need a new switch maybe not but the old one I jiggled the wires tapped on it a little. and tried to start the car and varoooom instant start damn she starts nice and quick especially since I cleaned the air filter housing and pipes.
One last question can somebody tell me how to take the NSS off?
I read the post on here on how to to repair it but the first step says this,
1: First, remove the neutral safety switch (found on the driver's side of the transmission) as well as the adjustment piece which moves the NSS.
it doesn't say whats involved in removing the NSS, any tips would be great.


I WOULD LIKE TO STRONGLY THANK EVERYONE THAT HAS HELPED ME WITH THIS YOU GUYS ARE SUPER HELPFUL AND QUICK TO RESPOND.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU