no starter engagment 70 280SL

[perry113]

I have been trying to help an a friend with a no start situation on a 70 280SL. The starter will not engage, however the starter works and can be jumped off a small wiring junction block by the right side of the oil pan. I swapped out the 2 main relays to rule out posiblilities.

It has power to the solinoid when key is in power position but not a full 12 volts in the start position.

I think there is an issue with the transmssion safety switch in the transmission. The switch looks internal(no wires to it). It's totally different than my 230SL which is on the firewall.

Could this be an adjustment to the linkage on this switch? The switch looks more like a linkage assembly and looks internal. The wires going into the bellhousing area look OK.
Any suggestions.
Thank You
Peter Perry
1965 230SL

[bsimaz]

There is a switch on the firewall that will allow the starter to work when the transmission is in 'park' or 'nutrual'.  do some searching and I'm sure you'll fine it.   I'm not the expert but I'd start there.

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road

[ja17]

Hello Peter,

Here is a photo of the switch.

Download Attachment: ns switch1.JPG
68.61 KB

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[J. Huber]

I may be off but I am reading Peter's question to be that the car in question (not his 230 but a 280) doesn't seem to have that switch on the firewall...

James
63 230SL

[hands_aus]

We often use different terminology to describe the same thing.

Maybe they are referring to different things.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[perry113]

Your all right.

The cable was not connected in a position where the safety switch was doing its job.
Got a running 280Sl again
Thanks
Peter