Starting Problems and the NSS - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dieselbeagel · #1 10-11-2004, 08:56 PM

I once again had problems starting my car, when left parked overnight. Having experienced this problem before, I was able to start the car, each time, by moving the gear shaft to neutral.

I got under the car, after having put the gear shift into neutral, and unscrewed the gear shift linkage at the transmission.

I noticed that there was alot of play at the linkage bushing next to the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS).

I replaced that bushing only and screwed it back into place the transmission. I found a significant difference and actually had to fight to get the linkage back on.

I started the car and the gear shaft was tighter.

Here is my take on the situation :-

Due to the degree of play at the worn out bushing, the top part of the linkage at the transmission does not seat properly on the NSS. There is a 2-3 mm stub on the NSS that fits into a hole in the linkage.

When there is play at the bushing next to the NSS, this stub slips out of the hole and hence the starting problems.

What do u guys think ?

tangofox007 · #2 10-11-2004, 09:33 PM

Concur. And when the bushing gets even more tired, the transmission does not engage in "park" when when the selector is so positioned. And nice cars roll away and crash into things located downhill. All because of a $1 bushing. Actually, there are two such bushings, one at the bottom of the shift lever and one at the transmission. You did change both of them, right?

tangofox007 · #3 10-11-2004, 09:35 PM

Not so fast. I don't agree with the part about the stub slipping out of the hole. But the problem is caused by the lost motion resulting from the worn or broken bushing.

dieselbeagel · #4 10-11-2004, 10:22 PM

I only changed the one next to the NSS.

Was pressed for time. Will get the other one next time I am under the car.

tomm9298 · #5 10-12-2004, 06:48 AM

Tango, are you serious??? What is this part name? I park on a VERY steep downhill grade at work every day. Street parking. This would be a bad thing. I would prefer to replace these bushings before destruction begins.

tangofox007 · #6 10-12-2004, 05:27 PM

The part is "AT shift linkage bushing." Fastlane part #J4070-44817. $1.13 each. There are two of them. One at the lower end of the gear selector, one on the transmission shifter on the left side of the transmission. From underneath the car, find the lower end of the gear selector. One bushing there. Follow the linkage rod forward. One bushing at forward end. The bushing has to be pressed in. You can make a suitable tool using a socket, bolt, nut and washers. The old bushings get hard and disintegrate. (The front bushing usually fails first, likely due to the heat from the transmission.) The added play causes the transmission not to engage in "park" when the selector is so positioned. (Selector is in "park", transmission is still in "reverse." Owner returns to car and finds it is not where he/she parked it!!!) On a steep hill, it probably would be obvious; on a more gentle grade, one might not notice.

tangofox007 · #7 10-12-2004, 05:31 PM

It is easier to remove the shifter when it is in a position other than "park." So please block your wheels and put the parking brake on. You don't want the car to roll away while you are working underneath it. Don't ask me why I think this is important.

tomm9298 · #8 10-12-2004, 05:40 PM

I would need longer arms and many, many extensions for the ratchet...