Question about Neutral Saftey switch
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
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From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
Question about Neutral Saftey switch
My Neutral Safety switch has not aloud me to start the car from park for about 2 months. Recently after driving in 5 inches of snow (may not be related) I could start it from park about 80% of the time. Yesterday I went out to start her up (-2F degrees) and It wouldn't start in P or N. There is plenty of juice in the battery and the starter makes no noise at all. I was wondering if in your experience the Safety switch problem can eventually foul up the neutral starting position as well. It may be that the points on the starter got moisture and then froze up. I am going to try and thaw it out and smack it a couple times and see what happens but let me know what you know.
Thanks
Gary
Thanks
Gary
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
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From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Mercedes Benz
This switch failure isn´t uncommon. It also engages the backing up lights. It is not hard to raplace. Last time I did is was some 30 mins or so.. upon a lift.
It is retained by two bolts, but you must undo the shift lever first.
-Note, that there is room for some freeplay at the bolt holes when you install it. That is so yo can adjust it to function in all positions.
Usually the centre placement will do.
Cheers,
It is retained by two bolts, but you must undo the shift lever first.
-Note, that there is room for some freeplay at the bolt holes when you install it. That is so yo can adjust it to function in all positions.
Usually the centre placement will do.
Cheers,
Last edited by 124-Fan; Dec 23, 2008 at 03:10 PM.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
Thanks. The stupid thing finally died in the driveway which would have been fine had it not been for the 8 inches of snow on top of 2 inches of ice with a wonderful layer of frozen slush as a base (gotta love Chicago) my driveway is on an incline so pushing it into the Garage is a no go and it is so cold if I push it in with my FWD van I will shatter the plastic on the bumper.......so I will be on my back in the driveway to do this one. It will be a blast.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 151
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From: Atlanta, Ga
'16 E350 ‘07 S550 ‘21 GLE580
I'm not sure this will work but it might be worth a try before you submit to working in the frozen hell that is your driveway. Check out the attached pdf. If you apply 12+ to the vio/wht wire at the starter with the key in the run position the engine should start, you'd be bypassing the neutral safety switch.
I don't know if it would be any better to be down on the cold ground to do this or to replace the switch. I know when I replaced mine it took me an hour or two to get the old one out, the new one in, and then to get it adjusted so that the car would start in P or N and have the reverse lights come on when in R.
I'd think you could get to the starter harness fairly easily.
Just thought I'd throw this idea at you.
I don't know if it would be any better to be down on the cold ground to do this or to replace the switch. I know when I replaced mine it took me an hour or two to get the old one out, the new one in, and then to get it adjusted so that the car would start in P or N and have the reverse lights come on when in R.
I'd think you could get to the starter harness fairly easily.
Just thought I'd throw this idea at you.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 32
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From: Huntsville, AL
2005 E320 CDI
I'm not sure this will work but it might be worth a try before you submit to working in the frozen hell that is your driveway. Check out the attached pdf. If you apply 12+ to the vio/wht wire at the starter with the key in the run position the engine should start, you'd be bypassing the neutral safety switch.
I don't know if it would be any better to be down on the cold ground to do this or to replace the switch. I know when I replaced mine it took me an hour or two to get the old one out, the new one in, and then to get it adjusted so that the car would start in P or N and have the reverse lights come on when in R.
I'd think you could get to the starter harness fairly easily.
Just thought I'd throw this idea at you.
I don't know if it would be any better to be down on the cold ground to do this or to replace the switch. I know when I replaced mine it took me an hour or two to get the old one out, the new one in, and then to get it adjusted so that the car would start in P or N and have the reverse lights come on when in R.
I'd think you could get to the starter harness fairly easily.
Just thought I'd throw this idea at you.
Jack up the car and remove the connector to the NSS and insert a jumper between pins 3 and 8. This should allow you to start the car and get out of the weather.
Do a search and you should find info on doing the job. Alignment of the new switch can be done by inserting a pin through a hole in the arm and switch. Also, there is a locking ring on the connector that needs to be rotated before the connector can be pulled off.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
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From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
I replaced mine and would not recommend doing it unless you can get into the garage. There is very little room to work and I fear someone would find you frozen to the underside of your Benz!!
Jack up the car and remove the connector to the NSS and insert a jumper between pins 3 and 8. This should allow you to start the car and get out of the weather.
Do a search and you should find info on doing the job. Alignment of the new switch can be done by inserting a pin through a hole in the arm and switch. Also, there is a locking ring on the connector that needs to be rotated before the connector can be pulled off.
Jack up the car and remove the connector to the NSS and insert a jumper between pins 3 and 8. This should allow you to start the car and get out of the weather.
Do a search and you should find info on doing the job. Alignment of the new switch can be done by inserting a pin through a hole in the arm and switch. Also, there is a locking ring on the connector that needs to be rotated before the connector can be pulled off.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1
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1987 300d
does anybody know how to actually replace the nss without dropping the transmission? i read in this thread it can be done, but i dont really see how. i can barely see the area, and even my thinnest tools dont fit between there. im sure i can find some that may fit, but how are you supposed to make sure everything is adjusted properly being that tight? is there some sort of trick to it?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
does anybody know how to actually replace the nss without dropping the transmission? i read in this thread it can be done, but i dont really see how. i can barely see the area, and even my thinnest tools dont fit between there. im sure i can find some that may fit, but how are you supposed to make sure everything is adjusted properly being that tight? is there some sort of trick to it?
