My reversing lights don't work and everything leads to the switch. On the auto box left hand side (looking from the front) there is a wire going to what my blurry manual says is the start lockout/backup switch.
Is this a combination switch and do I risk anything (like not being able to start) if I mess up removing it? Is this indeed the switch for the reversing lights? It does not seems to resemble the ones I can buy on Ebay so I am a bit lost.
Any ideas please?
The car is a 1981 240D
thanks

I am not sure if your color coding is going to be the same but the connectors have numbers on them. This is from my 1984 300D.

In the attached picture to bypass the Neutral Safety Switch and be able to start your Car you connect where the arrows point.


Stuff from my Notes:
“First make sure the selector is in P or N. Cycle through all the gear positions and try in N.
In front of the battery is a small rectangular box. Use a jumper wire to jump from one of the large posts to the small post with the purple wire. If it cranks, you've got an issue with the neutral safety switch or the ignition switch.
Above the accelerator pedal is a 4-wire plug with a harness that runs down to under the accelerator pedal and to the transmission tunnel. Unplug it, jumper across the two purple wires in the female plug and try to start again. If it starts, you need a NSS.”

I do not know if your cars wiring is the same but I got part of this quote from another Forum concerning a no cranking problem with an 84 300D.
My Neutral Safety Switch test
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/333784-neutral-safety-switch-troubleshooting-84-300d.html



Neutral Safety Switch Bypass description and Junction/terminal Block
84 300D turbo diesel has power but will not start or crank!? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel