Hello and thank you for reading this, any assistance greatly appreciated.
I have a 1972 Mercedes SE 280. It was running great, stopped at the store one day came out, turned the key and got nothing but a slight click under the hood and the whirrring sound of the Fuel Pump. Key turns all the way and generator light comes on. When the key is turned the lights DO NOT dim at all. All other electrical seems to be working fine. Just had a brand new fuel pump installed. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Could be a battery, could be an alternator, or possibly a neutral safety switch. Check the battery for 12.6 volts with a digital voltmeter. If voltage is not good, jump car and ckeck for alternator output. If output is ok, charge battery and check for even readings in each cell with a hydrometer. I suspect a dead cell.

Good luck,
Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

I'd suspect neutral safety switch alignment due to worn shifter bushings. You don't state whether column or floor shift, but in either case, try holding the shifter all the way in Park with one hand while turning the key with the other.

I have worn bushings inside the column and have to hold in Park probably 80% of the time. A handy anti-theft device most of the time.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.