new starter, new ig sw. still no start?
 

my 1980 mercedes diesel 300 td has start issues. I ve been driving it by using two screwdrivers to jump from battery to the wire to the starter and it cranks right up. changed out ignition switch but no change. what else could it be ? thanks

Poor connections somewhere. It's not an unusual problem, you'll find a fair number of posts on the topic if you search here. Some people think it is a result of drops in voltage through old connections and have installed a relay next to the battery and activate the relay through the ignition switch which then sends full voltage to the starter circuit. There's a picture here somewhere of such an installation.

I think it was DIESEL911 that did it with a Ford relay.

charlie

Neutral transmision switch is in the starter primary circuit. When you say you changed the ignition switch out I assume you mean the electrical portion and not just the key tumbler?

To establish low solinoid voltage versus no voltage. Read the voltage on the starter terminal you short to with the ignition turned to the cranking position. May take a hand from someone and a voltmeter to do the test. Get you pointed in the right direction though.

have you tried to start in Neutral?