Took my 240 to a body guy who fixed my rusty rocker panels (Mill Supply had one replacement rocker in stock, and apparently they can still order them - only $50!). When I went to pick it up, no start, no sound. Strong headlights, radio, wipers, etc. Could this be related to welding on the car? If not, I'm thinking neutral safety switch or ignition switch or totally dead starter. I'm thinking of shorting accross the starter with the key on to see if it starts then. If it does, what does that tell me? How do I do that? (haven't done it for years). As far as neutral safety switch, with the key turned to the start position, I shifted through the gears and heard nothing. I hoped to hear at least an attempt if the switch was out of whack (I replaced the switch on one 240 when it would only start in neutral, not park). Any ideas? Thanks.

If you had said the car turns over but won't start I would immediately suspect the electrical welding, but in your case I don't think so.

Things to check (some I think you might have tried already):
- Are the battery and cables (+ve and -ve) in good shape? Does the domelight go out when you try to start? If so the battery might be dead or the connections at the battery are not clean.
- Is there 12V on the large cable at the starter? If not maybe a fusible link (if applicable) has opened.
- Is there 12V on the small wire at the starter when the key is turned to Start? If not the ignition switch or neutral start switch are in question. Have a helper row through the gears while starting and see if that makes any difference.
- Pull the coil wire. If you jumper 12V onto the small tab at the starter does the engine turn over? If not then the starter, supply cable or engine ground cable may be bad.

If someone has a wiring diagram handy they could tell you what fuse the starter wire is on in case that has blown. (Chances are the same fuse is shared with other peripherals so there is a chance something else might not be working.)

No fuse on the starter circuit, so that's out.
The things that could be bad are the ignition switch, neutral safety switch, the wiring, and the starter itself.
I'm gonna bet they disconnected the battery ground lead, and did a poor job reconnecting it. Hopefully they didn't reverse them or something dumb like that- 86's are the last year before the battery terminals reversed position. It's a pretty bulletproof circuit with not many components.

The starter can be jumped with a screwdriver or other crude methods. It is gonna make a pretty strong spark as the engine starts to turn, so be ready for that. I mean a real healthy SNAP when you connect a wire or scrwedriver.

Other places to check once it's turning- the 25A fuse onthe LF fender, and general fusebox cleanliness- keep the tabs as clean as possible and fuses free of corrosion.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 230K, 88 744GLE- 220K, 82 245T-181K Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 231K, 87 244DL, 239K, 94 855GLT 189K

Thanks for the help. Turned out to be the neutral safety switch(I took off the shifter cover - saw it unattached) - totally unrelated to having any body work done. These cars have a wicked sense of humor.