Worked on my daughters and sons cars today.
While we were at it I decided to replace the shifter bushings since mine were rattling.
Did the 240D's while I replaced the transmission rear seal, another story, and figured I would jack up the 300TD, place the front on jack stands and replace the bushings.
First replacing the bushings is a PITA. They are hard to get into the hole. Need some serious forcing with a screw driver. Had to take the shifter rod out of the car to get the front/tranny bushing in. Not very much room next to the tranny of the 300TD. Lots more room in the 240D, the tranny is more forward in the tunnel
The rear bushing, or shifter bushing has room around it so it is doable in the car. Otherwise you will have to remove the entire shifter assembly.
Removed the rod and installed the bushing. Reinstalled the rod HOWEVER I did not properly install the neutral safety shift lever into the metal shifter lever on the transmission. The result was when I moved the shift lever to the park position. I broke the plastic lever INSIDE the switch. Drilled the rivets out and opened it up. Broke the thing.
Now what's interesting. We have no working car.
240D drive-shaft out, LCA bushing out, battery tray out
560SL idling rough and I hope the air pump clutch made the terrible noise, if not It might be the timing chain rails
65 Mustang in the middle of installing the AC system.
300TD neutral safety switch.
Tomorrow My sons friend will take us to the dealer for the part. Then I promise I will not touch the 300TD until the 240D and Mustang are on the road.

Tomorrow night is the Barbecue get together at the West End in Dallas. Got to get the car running.

What I learned, besides don't work on the only car you have running.

To replace the shifter bushings it is easier to remove the rod and do the forward/tranny bushing on the work bench. To remove the rod, remove the bolt/nut assembly holding the shifter lever to the transmission rod that comes out of the tranny.
Remove the rod toward the rear.
When putting the rod back on the shifter shaft, ensure the neutral switch rod is inserted into the shifter rod that attaches to the tranny. The neutral switch has about a 90 degree movement and you can position the black plastic switch lever as you install the shifter lever.
Install the bolt/nut unit on to the tranny shaft and tighten.
IF you break your switch your car will not start and the backup lights will not illuminate.
If the black plastic lever can go around 360 degrees, you broke the lever inside the switch.
You can take the switch off the tranny without draining the fluid. It's attached with 2 10mm bolts. It does require a small ratchet to remove them. Not much room in the 300TD transmission tunnel.
To do it rotate the white electrical connection locking ring. Rotate the front part clockwise until the tabs on the black connection are free. Then pry the switch out with a screwdriver. 2 would be best. Unscrew the 2 bolts and the unit will lift off. The shift rod lever must be off the tranny to remove the switch.
Have friend drive you to the dealer for your new part and install it.

Dave

A picture of the broken switch.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

eeewwooooooooooodogggeeeeee!

Good info!
the 240D needs the shifter bushing sometime in my next life!

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Was going to steel the NSS from the 240D to get the 300TD running to pick up a new one. Of course they are different.
The 83 240D has the W4B 025 or 722.117 transmission.
The 82 300TD has the W4A 040 or 722.315 transmission.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Some pictures from a car I worked on.

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

www.**************.com sells a little homemade tool that makes installation of the bushings easier. I know, sorry to mention this after the fact.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

from the same car.

Attached Thumbnails

         

I just got my new(to me) '84 300D tonight. The back-up lights don't come on and I can start the car in any gear. Is this a bad neutral safety switch? They are a royal PITA to replace.

__________________
Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

I was reading this tread and seem like my problem is related to this neutral switch. My neutral start switch is leaking fluid from the rod, the lever from it is not connected to anything and rotates freely, i can pull the lever entirely out with the rod from the tranny and the fluid starts coming out, if i put it back the fluid stops. I can see a seal. I'm not sure where the other end of the lever connects to. the car starts and i can move it back and forth. Also i noticed that the accelerator pedal has this section like a lever that is touching the exhaust pipe, but not connected to anything either.. is that where the lever from the tranny is supposed to connect to? any ideas how to approach this? any help it's appreciated.

Data needed:
YEAR
MAKE
MODEL


The NSS is not your main issue at this moment.

This lever is your gear selector = if it falls off...

The problem is inside your transmission, a fastener has come loose, allowing the arm to come out.

Remove the transmission oil pan and check for loose/missing fasteners or mechanical damage.


Have a great day.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Neutral Safety Switch how would I go about replacing one?

And how much should It cost for a shop too replace one?

:EDIT: 1984 300SD.

Thanks,

Tony

Transmission:

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

Replacing all shifter bushings on W126 - p.1
Replacing all shifter bushings on W126 - p.1


If the shop charges more than one hour Labor = run away, they are crooks.

Any idea if the NSS is the same between 1986 300SDL and 1983 300SD?
On APE the parts seem the same.

I am diagnosing "no reverse lights" on my newly acquired 300SDL.

Thanks.

__________________
85 300D 3 pedal. Current project.
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.

On my 1975 280c, I have removed the NSS however i can't seem to be able to put the new one in... I have the correct part and everything just cant figure a way to get it over the rod. Any ideas??

More data = pictures needed for this issue/question.

I saw this thread and thought someone could help. I have a 1980 300SD and the NSS switch PLUG has deteriated. The switch part number is #000-545-4606, but I can't find the electrical plug part number that goes in it. Even the guys at Auto****AZ and Shumaker Mercedes don't have a clue. Any help is appreciated.