Two times in the past few days I have had trouble with starting my 87 300E. Tonight was the worst. I put the key in and turn it fully. Everything looks good but the starter does not go. The lights are bright. I turn the key back and forth 5-10 times and wiggle the gearshift to be in P. Finally the starter goes, engages and the car starts right up.

How do I diagnose and fix this? Hopefully I can start it tomorrow to get to a tech sesssion.

Put your car in neutral and try to start the car. If it does, you found your problem.

__________________
J.H.
'86 300E

Or shift rod bushings have deteriorated.

I like to look at the easiest/least expensive problem first .

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

I went to the tech session at the local MB dealer. The first thought was the electrical part of the ignition. But since all the lights at the bottom of the dash lit the tech thought this was not the prob. He looked at the trans area and found a loose connection that was not locked in place. I must have done that when I changed the trans fluid in Nov. No probs in last 2 days-fingers are crossed.