did put the car in reverse to adjust the switch. adjusted the switch until the lights came on then moved the shift lever to match.the play in the lever not quite sure what that means

If there is fore-aft play in the shift lever then possibly setting the lever to P does not put the transmission completely in P, at least to the extent that the neutral start switch senses that the lever is in P.

Turn the key to start with the shift lever in N and the park brake fully engaged. Move the lever forward and aft to see if there is a point that the starter engages. Don't move the lever into the R or D detents!

Sixto
93 300SD

did those things, the weird thing is thatif we bypass the neutral switch the car starts but the starter stays engaged.tried 2 switches and no help.it has to be something simple, just real confused