Daughter says the backup beeper (integral with one of the backup lights) is now intermittent, and she "jiggles" the shift lever to get it to work (auto trans). Should I go ahead and mail her a new PNP switch, or is there something else I should have her look for first? She lives several hours away, and I can't get up there soon to play with her car. TIA

Many thanks for the help, guys! I've emailed the page to her. Couldn't talk her into law school-apparently too many attorneys in the family already, so she went to chef school instead.

Your car does not have a PNP switch which on later models is mounted on the right hand side of the tranny. You do have a combined 2 pole reverse light and starter interlock switch mounted at the base of the shift handle. Easy to replace and adjust. If she has no problem with starting then maybe OK to wait till you can fix in person if she can live without backup lights for a while. I will also be maintaining my daughter's 87 240 by remote control when she goes off to law school later this year. Getting into perfect shape now.
--
David Hunter

It could be the neutral switch (not really the same as the 850 PNP switch but the same idea) going bad, or it's gotten loose, or it's out of adjustment on its mount. Also the shift linkage could be misadjusted, but more likely the rear transmission mount has rotted away, allowing the drivetrain to drop down and pushing things out of alignment. The new mount is under $10, and a shop should charge an hour or less to install. Or you can do it if you have a way to support the transmission while the crossmember is removed.
Also, if there is a lot of play in the shifter front-to-back, the bushings at the shift lever linkage could be worn out.
I'd get it up on a lift and inspect the mount and linkage to make sure nothing's loose or the mount collapsed.
Good luck!
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE, 91 244: 808K total