Does anyone have any tips on replacing a neutral safety lockout switch on an 87 300E? I believe the switch is on the left side of the transmission, but that's as far as I've gotten to date.



BenzGuy124

The Neutral Safety Switch its pretty basic to replace. There is one connector which needs to be removed. The linkage is held in place with a sized 10mm(socket sized) bolt and this needs to be removed so you can slid the linkage off. There are 2 (10mm sized socket) screws which hold the the safety switch in place. Usually 1/4 inch drive works the best with a shallow or medium lenght socket, which need to be removed. The reverse order for installation of the safety switch.

I would recommend having the car in Reverse when replacing the safety switch. You want to make sure when you attach the connector that the reverse lights light up before completing the installation, you may need to adjust the switch, it sits on a small slide rail which can be turned for the adjustment. Also, there will be a plastic tab with a little button sticking out of it, this needs to fit in the hole in the shifter linkage, for the switch to know what position the transmission is in.

Replacement time is about 15 minutes with the car all ready on the lift.

I recommend the lever being in neutral (no worn out bushings) that way you can use the built-in "neutral alignment holes" which take a 3mm or 3.5mm allen/hex key or similar sized wire to align the shift lever connection and the hole on the NSS.

:-) neil