my 1981 300sd was having trouble starting and i would have to wiggle the shifter, then wiggle the shifter would nt make the starter kick. I replaced the shifter linkage bushings,, which the old ones must have fell off cause they were no where to be found so i thought i had the problem fixed. still the starter seems to be dead, turn the key and nothing. Also my back up lights come on when i put the car in reverse so i dont believe its the neutral safety switch. i still think its something with the shifter causing the issue but not sure what to try next. thanks for any help.

Why would the back up lights coming on exclude the neutral safety switch?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I read on this forum that if your back up lights dont come on then that points to a bad neutral safety switch

Never heard that. Try jumping the NSS.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

how do i do that?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/260407-how-bypass-test-your-neutral-safety-switch.html

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I just had to do this today after my 85 300D wouldn't start for my sister last night. Too bad i didn't research the issue first as i showed up with just jumper cables and a hammer to tap the starter - NO GO.

Last night i spent a few minutes researching the "no crank" issue and found several threads pointing to the right fender near the battery to bypass the NSS. I pulled out a short section of 12 gauge insulated wire and away the starter went.

DON"T FORGET TO PUT THE TRANS IN P or N so you don't run yourself over or chase your car down the street/hill ;-)

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1985 300D, 250k
1980 300SD, 180K

did the test for nss this morning, jumped the purple wire to the large wire in box under the hood, car cranked right up. looks like the problem. thanks

Wait a minute now. Are you talking the junction box on the right fender near the alternator (on an SD?) If so, you did bypass the NSS but you also bypassed the ignition switch and the rest of the wiring so it's not a definitive test. If you connected the two wires going to the NSS and then started the car with the ignition switch, the test is definitive.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

how do i get to the two wires connected to the nss? are these the wires that i can jump on the harness above the gas pedal?

Yes, although the description of those wires is on a D and not an SD.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

where can i find a diagram on the wires i need to jump on the sd?

NO idea. You could just jump them at the NSS.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Or you might want to take out the switch itself... it's not too difficult, I've done it myself. It's on the transmission, on the driver's side, just follow the linkage.

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[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

Here's the jump box of an SD. I forget which two to touch together.

If the car starts, the NSS is defective, as you're bypassing it.

Make sure the transmission is in park or neutral.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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83 SD

84 CD