Hi, I’ve been reading the forums and a lot of other people seem to have a problem similar to mine but just a little different. I have a 83 240 DL and it just died on me and absolutely wont start. It had done this before but changing it to D and putting it back into park got it to work. It makes no sounds now and I have no clue what it is. I looked at the starter’s connection to the battery and it looked ok, had to clean some wires. The "lone" fuse by the battery isn't broken. Could it be the starter or maybe even the timing belt? It’s sitting in front of my work and I'm debating what I should do. Any recommendations?? Thanks.

Having to move the gear shifter around to get it to start sounds like the neutral saftey switch going bad or out of adjustment.

Thanks, that sounds like it might be the issue here. I'll give it a shot and let you know if that's the issue here!!

That was it thank you so much. I took it out opened it up and cleaned it of and it started. I think I'm still going to replace it becuase it looked pretty rough. Thanks again. :beer:

Same exact problem...How did you "took it out and cleaned it"??? Please explain what you're talking about, where to find it, how to take it apart, clean and reinstall. Thanks a bunch.

switch is on gear lever inside the plastic surround, and is built as part of a large thin arced panel beside/around the gearlever. contacts are internal, wiring is fiddly to free up to remove, but whole assy is not overly complicated. WARNING: the lockout switches are safety devices, and should NOT EVER be bypassed. the indicating lamp on the other side of the lever is also known to dislodge and stick. Wiring damage in this area is common now. the overdrive switch at the top of the gearlever should be checked to see it operates the relay which turns the overdrive arrow in the dash off & on with repeaded presses. Default is light off, overdrive possible. Light on, overdrive must be impossible.

overdrive engages at abt 45mph on flat ground, low throttle.