I bet John has a M/T reverse light switch somewhere in his stash.

You will not need the NSS, it just jumps out on a M/T according to the ETM. Maybe there is some sort of adapter harness that plugs into C146, that passes 1 and 2 up to the reverse light switch and jumps 3 and 4 for the start circuit.

I wonder if an ac compressor shut down micro switch from the valve cover of a 617 could be adapted for the reverse light switch if you can't locate the real thing.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech