My car is an '83 240D with somewhere around 273K miles on it (odometer stopped working just shy of 272K). Let me just say first that the starter was refurbished in December. And that little ol' me knows absolutely nothing about cars My husband is the car freak.

Ok, now on to my problem. Yesterday my car suddenly decided not to work. Wouldn't crank or anything. Made sure it had enough oil and coolant in it. Nothing. Battery worked fine, as the lights on the dashboard came on just fine and my headlights had a strong glow to them. Long story short I was able to get the car to start after wiggling the stick shift around in park. It started fine when I left work this afternoon, but then the not-starting thing happened again at the gas station. Took lots of jiggling of the stick to get the car to start this time. Both times, the engine rumbles slowly at first, which is how it sounds sometimes when I have trouble starting the car in winter, but obviously with it being summer starting the car has not been a problem. Till now anyway.

Could the NSS be going out? Or should I have my husband look at the solenoid, perhaps?

Well, it really does sound like the NSS is the problem. I never have had that problem, with the automatics and I don't know if an adjustment will take care of the problem - maybe it will call for a replacement of the switch. Lucky for you that you have found away to get it started and you might be able to find a spot on the shifter where it will "usually" start until you get it fixed.

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1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

The NSS has been my main suspicion. My husband, however, doesn't know where it is in the car, since his repair manual doesn't even have it in the index! Where is it so that he can take a look at it?

Broken Neutral Safety Switch and replacing shifter bushings
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/96048-broken-neutral-safety-switch-replacing-shifter-bushings.html#post646647



.

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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
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Welcome to the forum.
The link whunter has provided should answer all your questions. Until you get it fixed, you may have more luck placing the car in N .
There is a wealth of information in past threads on this forum, please try having a look.
Your problem with your mileage meter is fixable & there are threads about how to do that as well.
One day you may like to post some pictures of your car. We are always keen to see other MB's.

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1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

There should be a wire junction box on the passenger inner fender well in front of the battery. It has a plastic cover. When the problem occurs, you should be able to start the car by jumping terminals 1 and 3. It does sound like abad NSS.

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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

I don`t think the 240`s have that junction box. my 80 doesn`t, and I don`t remember seeing them on the 82/83 240`s in the junk yards.

It is a slick way to jump start the engine if the NSS goes south.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

It does indeed sound like the neutral safety switch - but just in case your frantic wiggling hasn't actually had anything to do with the car starting - take a look at the condition and cleanliness of the battery terminals and the connections including earth leads running to and from the starter.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Here is more data to help with your issue.


stuck!!! storm comming!!
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/298080-stuck-storm-comming-how-directly-jump-starter.html#post2708243

My car did it again today. Did my usual stick jiggling, then decided to put it in neutral and see if it would start. Started right up. So yup, it's definitely the NSS. Is this something I can live with, or should I get it fixed ASAP?

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1983 240D, 272K+ miles (odo broke)

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. There's a thread here within the last two weeks about someone who did. Turned it out was the ignition switch which was discovered after replacing the NSS>

__________________
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

Really? Hmm. I hadn't even considered that. Is there a way to tell which one is the problem?

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1983 240D, 272K+ miles (odo broke)

Yes, jump the NSS and drive it that way for a while to see if the problem continues. There are instructions on here somewhere regarding purple wires at a junction about the driver's kickpanel used to jump the NSS.

__________________
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

Mechanically and electrically good - but don't forget that the switch is there for a reason.

If you accidentally start the car in gear it will move - which could lead to some embarrassing situations - like running over your husband whilst he fiddles with something in the engine bay!

See you on Dr Phil?

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!