My problem is with my 1985 300TD.

A couple of times a year, I've had a bizarre experience. Turn the key and NOTHING. Come back 20 minutes later and its ALWAYS worked.

Not this time. I'm down and dead. Have tried off and on for hours. Plenty of power in the battery and all power features of the car work except the ignition.

1. Can the starter be jumped from underneath? (need to get the car home to work on)
2. Can the starter be jumped from combining wires up top?
3. What possible problems could be causing this?

a. Under the search feature, I found a possible Neutral Switch problem. Where is this located?

Thanks

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

oof i've had that happen - try cycling the key rapidly off all the way then on all the way.

i've had mine start after doing this sometimes even as much as say eighteen times and as little as once or twice.
helps greatly to take the key off any ring it might be on.

also did you try putting in neutral and rolling the car a bit and then putting the shift lever through all the gears a couple of times?

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

I am having a similar problem. When car is cold, I have car in Park, pop the hood and jump 2 wires on the right fender.

There is a black box near the battery, pop it open and u will see 3 wires. Facing the box ( battery to ur left) Take a small piece of wire and jump the right most 2 wires (2 furtherst from the battery).

That may help

Purple wire to the starter, junction box somewere on the passenger side is the "hot" wire -- jumper to battery and starter will engage.

Probably a bad neutral safetly switch -- try starting in neutral or holding the key and slowly moving the shifter -- note that it may start in gear, so be carefull!

You can also pull back the rubber boot on the starter and jumper between the battery cable and the small wire with a screw connection -- this will also engage the starter.

Run the GP first, of course.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

you could also try banging on the starter itself with a pipe or
hammer.

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

Diesel Don,

How can the "ignition" be dead when a Diesel engine has no
ignition system?

What you probably mean is that the key switch is not making an electrical connection to the starter solonoid. Check the small terminal on the solonoid with a test light or voltmeter to see if it getting 12 volts when key is turned to start position.

But its probably not the switch. It is probably a bad solonoid or starter. Could also be a bad neutral switch. Try jiggiling the shift lever.

To "jump" the starter you can try touching a wrench or screwdriver across the solonoid terminals. Don't get excited about a big spark, its a heavy current.

P E H

PEH:

'Key Switch' is a better term but I think the other is more recognized so I used it.

It finally started in Neutral even though I had tried that many times. I now have it home.

I suspect the Neutral Safety Switch and will begin there. The problem however is the occasional nature of the struggle.

Earlier today I cut and pasted two completed pages from the search function and now seem to have a better idea of my options. Thanks to the above advice as well.

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

I read ur post and the replies and I came to the following conclusion:

1) It could be the neutral safety switch. If it is old, replace it ( every 3-4 years is good). I replaced mine about 2 months ago.

2) I have the same problem, even after replacing the switch.

After I read ur post I got an idea.

When I put my car in park, I made sure I followed the gear shift all the way into park. It moves a little to left when u follow it to park.

My car started every time after I did that. My conclusion is that my 2 bushings on the transmission linkage is worn and has too much play. I am going to replace the 2 bushings and will let u know if that solves the problem.

Does 83-240d manual have a neutral safety switch? If so, can someone tell me where? Thanks..

I am assuming you are talking about a 4spd 240D? The sticks dont have a neutral switch. The automatics, however, do.

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Nick
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2002 Sprinter 2500 140" High Roof :