Question about Neutral Saftey switch

[GEDaggett]

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

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[TMAllison]

Once they begin to brain fart they will eventually fail completely.

Get a new one; is easier than dragging a hair dryer out to the car every morning.

[Federic0W124]

throwing this out there but check fuse 5 in the engine compartment.

[GEDaggett]

Originally Posted by Federic0W124

throwing this out there but check fuse 5 in the engine compartment.

I will check that. Thanks. Also is it true that the Tranny has to be dropped to replace it?

[vanwiek]

No, I replaced mine with the tranny in the car.

[GEDaggett]

Originally Posted by vanwiek

No, I replaced mine with the tranny in the car.

What kinda time did it take you?

[124-Fan]

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,

[GEDaggett]

Where is that thing located on the trans

[124-Fan]

Here it is, on the left side.
Cheers,

[GEDaggett]

Originally Posted by 124-Fan

Here it is, on the left side.
Cheers,

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.

[vanwiek]

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.

[fred1948]

Originally Posted by vanwiek

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 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.

[GEDaggett]

Originally Posted by fred1948

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.

Thanks for the tips. I cleared the driveway last night and tried to start it one last time before I went all hillbilly on the work (I grew up in West Virginia so that wouldn't have been to much a stretch for me) She started right up and is now in the garage thawing out and I am going to put the switch in today. Dodged a bullet.

[vanwiek]

Originally Posted by GEDaggett

) She started right up and is now in the garage thawing out and I am going to put the switch in today. Dodged a bullet.

Glad to here it.

[GEDaggett]

Finished it up about an hour ago. Works great starts right up. Thanks again.

[ANDYCOTTON]

Does anybody know the part number for the NSS on a 1990 300e 4matic?

[124-Fan]

The number is A 000 545 49 06.

Cheers,

[ANDYCOTTON]

thanks! you're the best! around!

[itstheshawnp]

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?

[GEDaggett]

Originally Posted by itstheshawnp

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?

LIft the side of the car up and put it on Jack stands You can access the switch and replace it from underneath with the right combination of extensions on a 3/8 wrench if I remember correctly. Took me about 20 min.

[jmonsterman7]

Does anyone have more specific details on removing and replacing the NSS. I have a 94 E320, I just replaced the Wire harness and have video if anyone is interested. Thanks