If your Neutral Safety Switch is making Contact and jumper wires on the Connector did not allow the Starter to crank you likely have a Ignition Switch problem.

Unfortunately I found out that what appears to be an Ignition Switch issue can be an issue with what turns the Ignition Switch.

See pics.

While I was testing the Neutral Safety Switch My Lock Tumbler seemed to jam up. Spraying WD40 into the Lock and fooling with it I was able to turn the Lock Tumbler into a position where I could removed the Tumbler.

I removed the Ignition Lock Housing with the Intention of Inspecting it. I found that the Vacuum Valve on it was leaking Oil.

I found that that all of the Ignition Switch Screws were loose and when I took it apart I found that the Shaft that turns the Ignition Switch was broken.

It might be that the loose Ignition Switch screws conspired to break the Shaft.

Attached Thumbnails

     

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

1. The Vacuum Shut Off ACTUATOR on the Steering Wheel Lock Housing is
(99.999%) most likely "Oil Infused" due to the Vacuum Shut Off Valve
on the I.P. Being Bad and allowing Oil to be sucked into the Vacuum system.
1a.The unauthorized lubrication underneath the instrument panel MAY not be
the cause of the Ignition Switch's demise...
2.Let's See 1984.........1994........2004........2013

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

I agree concerning the Shutoff but I don't think Oil caused the Shaft to break on the Ignition Lock Housing.

Also it looks as if the Oil leak is recent as I have had My Kick Panel off for several years and I have noticed no Oil Dripping.

I have a spare Fuel Injection Pump that has a good Vacuum Shutoff on it. Or since My Shutoff still works I might opt to put a filter inline so the Oil will go into that and use the shutoff till it is no longer reliable.

Concerning replacement of the Ignition Lock Housing. I have a new Housing on the way and it comes assembled with an Ignition Switch and the Vacuum Switch on it.
It is also time to have a new Tumbler with the complete set of keys for My VIN made as I have had no Trunk Key since I bought the Car 5 years ago.

Note: When the Engine failed to Crank the Key moved into the Start positon but felt Mushy.
I Jumpered the Starter at the Terminal Block and drove Home.
At that point I thought it was a Neutral Safety Switch issue.
While I was testing for the Neutral Sarety Switch issue I had been turning the Key. Well, the Key froze up just past the point where the Steering Whell is unlocked.

At that point I though I had a Lock Tumbler issue but evidently what was binding it was the shaft breaking.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I also found other problems inside the Steering Colum Lock. See the Pic in post #18 of the below thread.

When I got the New steering Colum Lock I shoved the Locking Plunger in and Pushed the side Button in to hold it and epoxied the Button down. And, that deactivates the Lock part of the Steering Colum and can be reversed later by removing the Epoxy.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/334172-ignition%5Ctumbler-issue-2.html

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel