I have been trying to fix this on my 1985 190D 2.2 Auto for over a week now... I started by checking if the battery was charged. It is. I then checked to see if the starter was getting power. It is. I then proceeded to check if there was power coming from the ignition when it was turned to the starting postition. It wasn't. So, I assumed that it must have been a bad ignition switch. I replaced it with a used one that worked when I took it out of my other car and that didn't solve the problem. Still not even a click. So, I decided to remove the starter to bench test it. It works perfectly and was apparently replaced not too long ago... I also checked the neutral safety switch as best I could. It was replaced along with the transmission only 1,500 miles ago. So, what have I missed besides a short in the wiring?

Also, is there a way to test the ignition switch or nuetral safety switch besides putting them in another car? Thanks in advance for your help and I am looking forward to your input.

Generally, such an issue involves the NSS when you've confirmed that the battery, starter, and ignition switch are not the culprits.

The NSS can be perfectly OK electrically, but the linkage to the switch gets misadjusted and the switch doesn't close.

The first thing to do is to try to start the vehicle in neutral. If that works, you definitely found your issue.

If not, you'll have to get underneath and find the NSS and see if the linkage is properly closing the switch. You might check the switch for continuity as well, although it's probably fine because it was recently replaced.

You require a test light or meter. If the starter was replaced not that long ago this could be a longer standing intermittent condition.

You want to see just how much voltage is reaching the small wire on the starter that controls the starters solinoid. With the key in the cranking position of course.

Sometimes the voltage available at that point is just too low or non existant to activate the solinoid. You are probably thinking there is no voltage there. There may be. Or maybe not.

Thanks for the responses. I have tried starting it in neutral and still not even a click. I also inspected the linkage going to the NSS and it seems to be working fine. Had a friend move the gear selector while I was underneath. No play and the linkage on the top of it moves when another gear is selected. I suppose I could remove it to be sure it is working correctly. I have also checked the voltage at the small wire going to the starter solenoid from the ignition switch with my multimeter and I get no voltage when I put the key to the cranking position. Was a factory alarm standard on a 1985 190D? I've heard that perhaps the alarm could cause a problem starting the vehicle. If there is one, where would I find the control module?

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1998 E320 Wagon

1992 300D 2.5 TURBO

1991 560SEL M119.960

1986 300SDL TURBO

1992 500SL Parts Car

1991 420SEL Parts Car

You're going to have to crawl underneath and look for voltage at the NSS when you turn the key to the cranking position. If you don't have voltage at the NSS, the ignition switch is the likely culprit.............unless you've something else in the circuit such as the alarm..........but, it's doubtful.

OK, sounds good. I'll try that tomorrow when it's not freezing outside. I don't have an aftermarket alarm on the car, so the only one that would be on there would be from the factory and it seems that it is disconnected. I'll post my results after I test it.

__________________
1998 E320 Wagon

1992 300D 2.5 TURBO

1991 560SEL M119.960

1986 300SDL TURBO

1992 500SL Parts Car

1991 420SEL Parts Car

I see where you bench tested the starter, but have you jumpered to the starter with it installed in the vehicle and get it to spin the motor? I would make 100% sure the installed starter will spin the motor when properly powered before chasing switch, NSS, and alarm possibilities.

I had an issue with a rebuilt starter where it worked great on the bench but wouldn't installed in the vehicle. Took in out 2 or 3 times before replacing with a NOS starter and problem cleared. A different vehicle with a similiar problem on a re-built starter. Test light showed 12v when turning the switch but still not spin. Would spin with a direct jumper from the battery. Wired in a push button to the starter and drove it for several years without problems.

I hate electrical gremlins. Good Luck!

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You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

So, I finally decided to test the neutral safety switch even though it was supposed to have been replaced with the transmission and guess what?! It was the problem. I had ruled it out because I thought it was new and that it still worked because the reverse lights still came on when the car was in reverse with the ignition on. Anyway, I got the car running by just jumping the plug so that as far as the car is concerned it's always in neutral or park. Thanks for all of the help!

__________________
1998 E320 Wagon

1992 300D 2.5 TURBO

1991 560SEL M119.960

1986 300SDL TURBO

1992 500SL Parts Car

1991 420SEL Parts Car