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  #1  
Old 01-23-2006, 10:28 PM
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Question Starter diagnosis anyone ?

Hi. I have my car that is still stubborn to start when the temp drops to around 35 F and it has sat for a while, like overnight. I've talked about this elsewhere. I have not been able to do a compression test or injector test yet (next week i should get the compression tester) . However , now, I am curious if it is not the starter system that is the culprit. Here are symtoms.

When it gets colder, I turn the key after glowing and there will be a few cranks then grind/slip/whhhrrrrrrrrrrr spinning gear. I turn it off, glow again, and try agian and it will either turn over a little and slip again and grind or turnover and not slip but not start. In general what seems to be happening is the starting system has trouble in the cold with slipping and grinding and MAYBE turning the engine too slow. When it is warm it does not slip or grind and it starts after 2 or 3 second cranks.

So what could be the problem ? Could the starter system be turning the engine too slow that it wont start when it drops to 35F ? I was in a restaurant tonight telling a waitress about this and she said it could be the solenoid that is making the whrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Is this possible it could be solenoid only ?

I'm hoping to hear the trouble lies outside the ring gear area and I can carry on as I am without worrying about doing any damage outside of the starter/solenoid combo. I'm getting along OK and winter seems to have skipped us this year so I have been able to drive all but a few days. But if I am potentially doing more harm and causing myself more future work by using it in this condition rather than fixing it I would want to do something about it now.

thanks.

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  #2  
Old 01-23-2006, 11:28 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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sounds like

your bendix is weak and the grease when cold is a little too stiff to let it fully engage and hence it is slipping off when the engine is beginning to fire a little.

tom w
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Old 01-23-2006, 11:29 PM
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Hmmm

Check your ground from transmission/engine to body, tighten or replace as needed.

Issue still there:
Remove starter, clean and lube, it may be loaded with sludge.
Have the starter tested at a rebuild shop.
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Old 01-24-2006, 07:58 AM
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In addition to the above I would want to be certain that the battery is up to snuff and the terminals are clean. Could very well be a combination of several, if not all, of these factors.

Good Luck,
Jim
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Old 01-24-2006, 10:04 AM
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biopete,

My 300SD has been doing the same thing for years. I use the block heater when cold and the engine starts on the first turn or two so I never bothered to fix it.

Since I'm going to use the car as a parts car as soon as I get home from FL, I'll only fix the starter if I need it for another car. It never seemed to get any worse and luckily it hasn't damaged the ring gear.

P E H

Last edited by P.E.Haiges; 01-24-2006 at 10:09 AM.
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Old 01-24-2006, 10:31 PM
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You all are the best.

Thank you all. I wil try everything you said and report back with anything that works. The car has no block heater though but i may try an inline one if compression is OK. I am curious as hell what is the culprit to this cold start issue. And I would like to fix it even if just with a block heater. Then i could say, "Starts great all year round" right ?

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