W108 280SEL 4.5 Non-start

[maxima302]

Hello All,

Went to go start up my 280SEL last night only to find it won’t start. Electrical power seems fine (buzzer sounds, fuel pump primes), but turning the key to ignition I hear nothing. Not even an attempt to crank...dead silence. I’m thinking this must be a bad starter motor, but anything else I should be checking along the way?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Tomguy]

Give the starter a few whacks with a hammer and try again. This is what mine did when the starter was on its way out, and how I avoided replacing it for a few months in college.

[maxima302]

Thanks!

Quick update - I was able to get the car started. In fact, fired right up. I don't think the starter motor is the issue. At least not the motor itself. I do believe something is blocking power from going to the motor as there isn't even a click when the issue is occurring. Or, something is not clean....

[rumb]

Check your neutral safety switch and the shifter rod bushings.

[cth350]

It's pretty common for the rubber bushings on the shift linkage to deteriorate and that can leave the selector and the transmission having different ideas about what gear you are in.

The replacement parts are about 2 bucks each last I checked, plus shipping. If they are orange, they're old enough to replace. If they're missing entirely, you know what to do (I hope).

-CTH

[Tomguy]

As someone whose 4.5 was floor shift, I never thought about a loose column shifter. This can be the case for sure, and if it won't start in Park try Neutral too.