I just purchased a '88 420SEL to keep my 300SD company. I knew she has issues going in but the body is good, the paint decent and the interior is ok. The oil looks good as does the trans fluid with no odd smell or color. The plugs aren't discolored and the fuel pumps energize. The PO had the ignition switch replaced so the key doesn't match the doors/trunk (and he couldn't find the key for those). Could I use the VIN at the dealer to get a new door/trunk key? The known issues pre-purchase was rough idle and having to start in neutral.

I had a feeling the neutral safety switch could either be faulty or needing adjustment. I've gone through the forum to get ideas and that I feel it's most likely the culprit. Do the shift linkage bushings really cause that much a misalignment for a no-start? Because she won't start now at all and has no reverse lights. Battery voltage checks fine but I need to go through the fuse box. I have a couple questions; 1) I ran across a reference to a starter junction block on the passenger (right) side. Is this mounted low, high or hidden on a '88, 2) There is a relay located just behind the right headlight that energizes when the key is turned to start. Would this be part of the starter circuit possibly security? The Star Tech I can access doesn't cover disc 2 where the '88 diagrams are. Also is there a copy of the fuse box sheet on this site?
EDIT: Looking a little more through the forum I found the link to access disc 2. This in turn gives me the fuse box diagram. So thankful for this site's information and help!!

The rough idle obviously will come next but searching the forum has given me ideas as to where to look in troubleshooting.

The exterior is Champagne OR Impala metallic (I think that is correct) with either a cream or mushroom interior. I still haven't learned how to decode the radiator tag properly. I purchased her at the very least for parts and to save her from the PO taking her to salvage. Thank you for any direction or ideas.

__________________
1983 300SD
1988 420SEL