When the car is cold, it starts 100% normal 100% of the time.

When the car is hot, everything is normal except recently when you turn the key to the start position, nothing happens (except the glow plug light goes out).

In the past, if I held the key in the start position for ~1 sec, it would start. Yesterday I hat to hold it there for 10 sec, tonight I couldn't get it to start no matter how long I held it.

My first thought is the ignition switch, can starters do this aswell?

maybe a cracked soleniod. had it happen on an old ford p-up.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

mobetta,

Wouldn't I still hear the starter spin? I get nothing when I turn the key.

I had this happen on mine when the starter was wearing out. New starter solved the problem (the old one also started grinding sometimes). Also could be that when hot, resistance in the wires (i.e. to starter and ground, and in starter itself) are higher so it takes more energy to get things moving.

I also remember this happening to my parents' Peugeot diesel and a new, properly sized battery solved the problem. Old one didn't have enough voltage to overcome the resistance when hot. Also, I think the solenoid and/or starter relay also needed more amps when hot as they were wearing out as well.

-AC
'76 240D "Katja"

No. Current to the motor itself gets there through contacts in the solenoid. Those contacts are closed when the solenoid engages and pushes the starter drive into the flywheel.

Okay, I called my favorite parts store (Discount Import Parts in Beaverton, OR) and I pick up my remanufactured Bosch starter this afternoon for $139. I will let you know if this fixes the problem.

another member had this happen (besides myself!) replacing the starter cured it.
i just cycle the key switch and it starts the engine (sofar...)

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

most likely problem is the selonoid. when they areold, they don't work well when hot.
you can try jumping the terminals with a screwdriver, this will tell you if it is the selanoid, or not.
another possible fix would be to add an extra selanoid to the circuit and mount it to the firewall/fender. SD vehiclse have plenty of room near the terminal block for the starter. D vehicles are a bit tighter of real estate.
John

had this happen to me before.. . a mechanic explained to me that the starter may be binding or something like that... it just clicks when hot. When i wack the starter, it comes alive and starts when i turn the key. I replaced my starter and everything went back to normal. (oh.. and i replaced it with a high speed starter..)

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Mike

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1975 200 - Sold (no pix);
1978 200 - Sold - http://www.pbase.com/hboy/redbaron
1979 300TD - Sold
http://www.pbase.com/hboy/greenwagon
http://www.geocities.com/hboy726/300TD.html
1985 230E - now my daily driver...

Most probable cause is worn out brushes in the starter if you hear nothing. If the solenoid clicks (pulls in) but the starter doesn't spin the the solenoid is bad. I know this sounds backward but believe me, thats how it works.

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Very easy to troubleshoot the solenoid, but on these cars, the most likely suspect is an old Bosch starter. The first symptom is as you describe. It starts OK when cold, but won't turn when hot. I would be very surprised if a new or rebuilt starter doesn't cure your problem.

(I think that this has been discussed before on this forum.)