Just shifter bushings, or NSS faulty too?
 

Hi all,

Last night the 85 would not start. No click, nothing. Battery fine.

I eventually got it running by holding the key in the start position and moving the shift lever around until the starter motor went on.

I need to replace my shifter bushings - they are ripped apart and the shift lever is sloppy as a result. Could the no start be caused by the loose bushings alone?

Or should I replace the NSS as well?

dd

Yes.

Not yet.

Brian - Thank you.

Yes, first just do the bushings. If they are both gone that may well be the only problem.

Now if only it wasnt pouring down rain...and both bays of the garage weren't occupied with the pieces of '82 from its restoration...

:D

While you wait, do some reading on the NSS and the arm that the shifter rod goes into. You will likely remove that arm and then you will need to be sure you replace the arm so that the slot in the arm engages the NSS. Or you break it....

Update
 

Guys,

I replaced the bushings - shifter is nice and tight now.

While replacing the bushings I accidentally broke the shift lever on the NSS, so I replaced it with a spare from another transmission.

Then last night, after three weeks of no issues, the original symptom returned - turned key, 'click', nothing. Moved shift lever and the engine started somewhere between N and D.

Is there anything besides the NSS than can cause this??? Or should I get a brand new NSS and go from there...

dd

The shift rod lever can be adjusted for length but there's rarely a need to do so. I would first try adjusting the NSS itself. Set the shift lever in reverse and have someone call out whether the reverse lights are illuminated. Tweak the NSS so it's in the middle of the range that the reverse lights are illuminated. For me, that gets the NSS to where the engine starts in neutral.

With the NSS set, adjust the shift rod length so the shift lever is in the right position in the gate.

It would be a bum NSS if it starts in neutral but not in park.

Sixto
87 300D

sixto, how do you adjust the NSS? i don't see any adjustments on it.

Doesn't it have a slotted mounting holes so you can twist it a few degrees?

Sixto
87 300D

Sorry for the mini-hijack but Sixto, my 300SD doesn't start in park when its cold, however it will start if the vehicle is shut off at operating temp. If I turn it off for more than 5 or so minutes, it won't start. My reverse lights do not work. Could this be a adjustment issue with the NSS or is it bad?

Thanks.

The quick check when it won't crank is to put your full weight on the brake pedal and nudge the shift lever slightly and slowly forward and aft of the neutral position while the key is in the start position. If the starter engages, adjusting the NSS is likely all you need. If that doesn't do anything, the NSS could be shot. It could be a host of other things like a bad starter, bad power and ground wires to the starter, etc.

Sixto
87 300D

I forgot to mention it starts fine in neutral. It only starts in park when the car has been driven.

Yes, it does . And there is an index hole for inserting a 4mm rod through the lever into the body to line it up properly. Or do as Sixto suggests.

thanks for the insight guys

ill try lining it up, although I'm tempted to get a brand new NSS and line it up once and be done with it...since this seems like it can strand you.