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.

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Cliff D.
Central Illinois
1987 300SDL 200K
1984 300D Turbo 245K

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.

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Cliff D.
Central Illinois
1987 300SDL 200K
1984 300D Turbo 245K

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

Jeremy

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"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

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.I will probably end up going to start the car when she gets off work.

Thanks.

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Cliff D.
Central Illinois
1987 300SDL 200K
1984 300D Turbo 245K