Bill, I don't know how many times I cursed my ill-preparedness, when some object, like the E-clip on the tranny linkage went skittering across the gravel. Why didn't I throw down a tarp first, or wrap a baggie around it before prying it loose??

Next time I change the little poly bushings, I'll bring the handy-dandy heat gun, to see if I can make them softer than my aging insertion tool (right thumb).

Can't help you with neutral safety switch on a 7 series, but don't all of our cars have a remote starter terminal at the firewall behind the motor? What happens when you wiggle the shifter while holding the key to the right?
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.