Ignition Switch or Neutral safetey switch??
 

1984 300 D turbo

Daughter, and wifes grocery getter. Today the car wouldn't start at all. I jumped the 1st and third wire in the terminal block and she fired right up.
I have been aware there is a problem for the last few weeks because I have been able to get it to start by jiggling the shifter from park to neutral and turning the key on again.
Today the car wouldn't start at all without jumping the terminal block.

I think I will replace them both but if anyone has any other idea's please respond. Thanks.

Quick test. Have someone hold the ignition key to the start position. Wiggle the shifter. If you get sudden or intermittent activation of the starter it is the neutral switch or bushing under the car.

Thanks for reply Barry. It seems that either or both the wiggling of the shifter, or turning the key repeatedly was effective until yesterday. The car would start. Shifter bushings (the ones accessible from under the car) where replaced new about 6 months ago. I ordered a new ignition and safety switch last night. Neither where very pricey. Funny, every time I fix something on this car, I can wait a few weeks and something else is amiss.http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...cons/icon7.gif

Just one of the joys of owning a 20+ year old car. At least you can fix it yourself; try that with a Prius. :D

Jeremy

ign, or n. switch
 

another suggestion, the adjustment may be off enough -to not engage the safety sw. (happened to me)............................jerry

Even another dirty little possibility is you might be borderline on supplying enough voltage and current to the starter solinoid to activate it. Usually a sign of a solinoid getting old.

When you bypass the system by shorting the connections you actually are supplying more voltage than the solinoid is normally seeing. Good test is to read for voltage with a meter. Small wire on the solinoid. Has it any voltage present when the key switch is turned to start and the starter not cranking?

Okay, I will look at voltage at solenoid when car gets home. I was working on our front porch this morning when my daughter drove off to work in it!!! I am sure she didn't jump the terminal block wires so the car is again "mysteriously" working. So obviously it just started.http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...ons/icon10.gifI will probably end up going to start the car when she gets off work.

Thanks.