Well, the '79 300CD had been giving me problems with the key switch. It would turn but get stuck and not want to go into position 3, give a little back and forth movement and it would. The starter was also being a bit of a pain, it would engage/disengage, that problem started off slow and got worse.

Well, I got the starter off, and found bit of metal shavings in it, not surprising. I took it to the rebuild shop and they did a job on it, replaced everything they could. I got it back in the car and now there is no noise, nothing, with the key in the no.3 position . So, I waited and tried again and got the odd crank until finally I got the car started. Turned the car off and tried again, dead! No click from the starter solenoid, nothing!! I went upstairs to read the archives and my manuals etc, after a couple of hours I tired again and the starter made some clicking sounds but no poistive enagement.

So I searched the archives and went through just about everything I could.

- glow plugs are good, get lots of heat there. They are series plugs but all are working, no open circuits.

- tranny safety switch appears to be good, backup lights come on.

- battery is fine, when it did crank it did it well, I even boosted it off my other car, 300TD, just in case but no go!

- all battery/starter connections are solid, cleaned and double checked them twice.

- I jumpered the starter to the battery and the starter takes off like it should, very quick and positive engagement. Engine turns over fine.

About the only thing I did find was oil dripping out of the start switch behind the dash. So I guess a new shut off vacum switch is needed on the IP (terminology may not be exact?). I can't imagine that the oil would have done anything to the switch but??

I took the tumbler out of the start switch and it seems to be fine, I can turn the key with no problem. With the tumler in the start switch all turns fine as well, not like before where it would it would not go into no.3 position.

So, I am guessing that the start switch is faulty. How do I get that sucker out of there?? I pulled the connector behind the switch and relaeased the clamp near the column but no go, am I supposed to have the switch/key in a certain position to release it? The switch itself appears to be serviceable with three screws holding the rear cover plate on. I would like to have a look in there to see whats what, I have had a start switch fail once before(Landcruiser FJ40).

I looked in my Haynes manual and on the MB-CD but no mention of how to pull that switch mechanism out. I searched the archives here too.

Later today, if I don't figure out how to pull the starter switch out, I will measure the voltage at the starter to be absolutely sure that there is no voltage with the key in the start position. I will also jumper the tranny safety switch, just in case.

If anyone could tell me how to get the start switch out it would be helpful.

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Greg
'73 416 UNIMOG DoKa
'85 300GD G Wagen