Air Flow Plate "Safety Switch"??

[350SL4spd]

I am looking at a 1978 280SE, but I think the set-up is the same on the larger motors of the era. What I am looking at is the fuel distributor/air flow plate. There is a sensor between them, on the block side, that my manuals describe as "Safety Switch, air flow plate". I would like to know its function and any other info anyone has on it.
I am trying to figure out if it has anything to do with a stalling prob I am having (car runs great then will stall out , and will only restart if you pump the air flow plate down 2or3 times , then will purr again for a while). If I can't blame the sensor, then I guess it's a sticky piston in the fuel distributor.

Thanks for any info!!

-M-

[Russ114]

i would be guessing you're reffering to the Air Flow Meter (AFM)...

my dad is in the process of replacing his currently, after an LPG mixture incident in the manifold, he reported some very similar circumstances with the depression of the plate.

if all else fails, replace it with a second hand unit.

[250 Coupe]

IIRC, the fuel pump relay uses the switch to control the pump. ie, the pump runs for a few seconds when the key is first turned on so engine will start, then the "safety switch" is held closed by air flow with the engine running. If the engine stalls for any reason the fuel pump will shut off. Sounds like the switch is dirty or worn and causing the pump to shut off.

Michael