Hi all. This could be construed as an introduction thread as well, so I'll give some backstory.

I bought an automatic 1983 240D this past November. I should probably let everyone know as a disclaimer that prior to this I had no mechanical knowledge outside of oil changes and filters. I've recently been going about learning as much about servicing the car as I can (99% of everything I've learned so far can be attributed to this community, I might add). I've changed the belts, adjusted valves, checked for stretch on the timing chain, and now I'm onto the really scary things such as the vacuum system, injectors, and also some more minor pet peeve stuff.

However, the strangest thing happened tonight.
It wouldn't start for the first time since I bought it. In fact, it didn't even attempt to crank. The battery is brand new, the alt/starter are in fine shape. What am I missing?

So, after warming up the glow plugs a couple of times, adjusting the idle (I have no idea why I thought that would change a thing), and making sure the car was in fact in park, I throw it into neutral and it starts right up..

Up to this point I've been able to diagnose most of the cars issues, but this one escapes me. Has anyone else had this issue before or could possible offer a suggestion to fix the problem. Needless to say it still won't start in park..

Sorry if this was long-winded, and thanks for being a pretty incredible community. Hopefully at some point soon I'll be able to contribute more.

Shifter bushings and neutral safety switch. The NSS is what prevents cranking when you're not in P or N, it's on the side of the transmission. If the shifter bushings are loose, it may not go far enough into the P position for the switch to know.

Definately neutral safety switch related - if it happens again - shift into drive and then back into park - making sure to firmly shift into park. If the linkage is a little off that should do you. If its is really the switch try neutral, but it may not work.

What these guys said. BTW, the NSS can be bypassed, but I don't recommend it. I bypassed mine when I stuffed a 360 into my '63 Dodge Dart. All was well until one day I was away (at school or something I think) and my dad had to move it. He didn't know that the NSS was bypassed, nor did he know how to operate the ratchet shifter I had in it. He started the car in drive, which was interesting, but he got it stopped before he hit anything.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

if you push forward and to the right, in P, the car should start.
notice how wishywashy the shifter feels? the shift rod bushings are either really worn out, or gone. this site sells them, they are REALLY tough plastic, I had to remove the shift arm to get them in, and it was NOT easy. well worth it though. many have just cut a section of rubber fuel line, and stuffed it in there for a temporary fix.
oh, and welcome to the Forum!
I'm your lovable moderator!

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I had the exact problem a few years back. My shifter bushings were gone. I got some new ones and all has been right since then. You do need small hands to install them.

Very cool-- thanks everyone. I didn't expect to receive such a definitive answer. I think I'm going to order/install the bushings first, and if those don't get the job done then it looks like it's the NSS. Trial and error, I guess.
Thanks for the helpful responses.

I've got the parts on order now.

Welcome to the forum.

Take pics of you can. It always helps the next 'new guy'.

I did find it funny that you adjusted the idle when the issue was "Turn key, nothing happen". That's like getting your nails done when the complaint is "I am bleeding from my ears".

Good that you also recognize this.

Best advice I can offer is to take the time and learn how the different systems relate to each other. You'll then start to piece it all together and better diagnose on your own.

Have a great day.

__________________
83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.

I had the same problem recently and I found that the car started normally in neutral. Apparently, the contacts used in Park get the vast majority of use while the ones in Neutral are generally pristine from lack of use. I eventually got both the bushings and the switch replaced.

__________________
87 300D 265Kmi
Factory rebuilt crate 603.96x engine at 200K

Haha, well said.

It was one of those panicky "i'll try anything" moments, and in hind sight, it was a pretty stupid reaction. I'll have to remember your analogy the next time I run into another similar situation.

Thank you for your help everyone. When the parts come in, i'll try to take as many photos as I can.

Welcome and congratulations on the 240D. Wonderful purchase. How about some pic's of the car itself. Always happy to see others Mercedes.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S