No Shifter Bushing = No Crank?
 

I saw this in a 240D-related post , but it also pertains to my car (260E) as well. It concerns shifter bushings:

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The transmission selector lever on the transmission won't be in the proper position relative to the shift rod. The bushing is thick enough that the transmission lever (in the car) will be in park, but the selector lever on the transmission won't be fully iin park, and consequently the neutral safety switch won't be fully in park either, so it's sort of like trying to start the engine in reverse, the neutral safety switch will prevent the crank signal from reaching the starter solenoid. Usually you can tell the bushing is worn out both by the problem you described, and also you can hear the shift rod making a sort of clinking sound when changing gears (moving automatic shifter into different gears).....

Gilly from Wisconsin
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I hear a metallic ping every time I shift. And lately I have been having no-crank starting problems. Prior to reading this post, I assumed it was related to overheating.

Will I need to pay $200 in labor to have a $5 bushing installed, or is this something I can do myself? (WIth only jackstands and tools.)

Read this recent thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/47380-w124-tranny-3-4-1-inch-play-shifter-between-3rd-4th-gear-normal.html

and do a search on "shifter bushings". Parts are cheap, and the process takes more or less an hour.

The confines are narrow, which is the only challenge to the repair...

Thanks G-Benz, that was a good thread.

But I think the problem still runs deeper, because it only happens when the car is hot, and I am addressing this in a new thread.

hmmm
scary...
i've heard of engine stalls due to abnormally high engine temps...
but one things for sure,
sounds like your bushings are shot...
there are three if i'm correct...
the two cheapy ones and then there's a third that costs about 15-22.00 but that's supposed to be a piece that's not too common in the weardown department...

hope this helps....

i was quoted 60.00 including parts and labor for the two common bushing replacements....

Mushedroom,

If it's that simple and inexpensive I'll ask my mechanic to do it during my next oil change. Since the car will be up on the lift anyway, I'm sure he'll only charge me for parts.