1970 280SL Auto shifter adjustment

[dpchamp87]

I have searched and searched but I can't find the answer.

On my car when I place the shifter in 4 it needs a 'jiggle' before the car will drive off. Presumably this is a minor adjustment?

Other than that the transmission works just fine.

It does not happen in any other gear.

[Lori]

Yes and no.  The plate that the shifter connects to has 2 bolts that can be adjusted but getting it in place and tightening the nut on back is not easy (and I have small hands) 
 
I removed it to replace the neutral safety switch wire and the closest I could get it is about the same as what you are experiencing.

[dpchamp87]

Thanks for the input. Let me take a look underneath and see if I can give it a tweak.

[Mike Hughes]

The two nuts on the back side are devilishly difficult to access BUT it is not necessary to take everything apart to make the adjustment. Just slack them off enough to alter the setting so that when the transmission is in park the shifter is in park.  Then re-tighten the easier one, move the shift lever to another position and re-tighten the other one.

[Peter]

I would look to the adjustment of the selector in the engine bay.

[dpchamp87]

Thanks for the tips!

[dpchamp87]

Will try this first, a lot easier than loosening the plate. I will mark the original setting of course.

Thanks

[Mike Hughes]

No need to adjust the neutral safety switch pictured in the most recent post. (Adjacent to the hood latch.) It is not a selector switch. Just deal with the adjustment of the mechanism on the side of the transmission.

[dpchamp87]

Thanks, will do