Well, with one caveat. if I press the shifter up in the park position it will start. So its as if its not really in park until I do that, although the car stays put.

Car details: 1987 300TDT with 193K miles and a leaking AC system

any thoughts? Thanks

You need to fit a new neutral safety switch (sometimes called a starter inhibitor switch).

Fitting it is almost as simple as unplugging, un-bolting, bolting up again, and plugging in; except, you need to fit the switch in absolutely the correct position.

Thankfully, there's a simple way to do this. There'll be two holes that line up on the switch (about 4mm diameter), put a short** pin through the holes, and fit the switch with the transmission in neutral. Don't forget to take the pin out afterwards!

** It needs to be a short pin, say, no more than 20mm in length, because when the switch is in place, there isn't room to withdraw a longer pin, as a longer pin fouls on the transmission tunnel.

Alternatively, if the expense and aggro of fitting a new switch puts you off, just start the car from neutral!

Could it be a simple switch adjustment?

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Shifter bushings worn?

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Thanks! 1 question because I'm an idiot - where is the switch located? - believe I located it by searching - NSS is on the left side of the transmission, two bolts mount it. Correct?

If it is a shifter bushing problem, and the car is not going completely into park, ... you might be getting close to finding your car at the bottom of a hill after you park it.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

My car was doing the same thing a while back.
It was the shifter bushings, they were completely gone...
It now starts in park.

You might be on to something here, since most people don`t use their parking brake .

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

spray with WD40, wait a few days and it might work again. Works on my car.

__________________
www.jerseyplanning.com
1987 300TD 440K - My car
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 107K - Tim's car
2000 - CLK320 100K - Deb's car
1994 C230 150K - Josh's Car

i am having these issues as well in my 79 sd.
Is this the shift lever bushing

http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1979-Mb-300sd-Transmission&yearid=1979%40%401979&makeid=MB%40%40MB%40%40X&modelid=300-SD-001%40%40300SD&catid=J%40%40Transmission&subcatid=J1171@@Shift+Lever+Bushing&mode=PA

or the shift linkage bushing

http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1979-Mb-300sd-Transmission&yearid=1979%40%401979&makeid=MB%40%40MB%40%40X&modelid=300-SD-001%40%40300SD&catid=J%40%40Transmission&subcatid=J4070@@AT+Shift+Linkage+Bushing&mode=PA
that would make the car not go all the way into park.