Well this is a slightly odd one I guess. About 2 weeks ago, I had a starter issue a couple of times. It would not start and the starter would not turn, however I would get an audible "click" when going to the start position. I went out and gave the starter a few taps with a rubber mallet and that got it to turn over (Or so I thought). a few days later I had the same problem, but the mallet would not get it going. I tightened up the electrical terminals on the power block in the engine bay and it started right up. This may or may not have been a coincidence, I don't know.

Right now, the car won't start again. But this time it's different. when I go to the start position, there is no click, no indication what so ever that the starter is getting power. I checked and tightened the terminals in the engine bay (not the ones that bolt directly to the starter itself) and they look fine

Basically I figure this must be either an ignition issue or a starter issue. I can go over the stuff with a multi meter, but I am not sure what should be getting power when the car is in "start" position. Also, if it turns out that I am not getting power to the starter, what could be the cause? Obviously if I AM getting power, time to take the starter to my local rebuilder...


I welcome any suggesgions! Thanks.

Put the shift lever in neurtral, put your body weight on the brake pedal, put the key in START, move the shift lever slowly towards R but no more than half way, then move the shift lever slowly towards D but no more than half way. If the starter engages, the rod between the bottom end of the shift lever and the transmission probably needs new bushings. New bushings, but there aren't any old bushings? That's what I mean.

Sixto

You may want to have your battery checked. (Turning your lights on is not how you check a battery!! )

since your starter cylenoid was clicking but not engaging the starter I will guess you have an alternator problem....charge your battery or swap it with one of your other ones and see if it starts....

does the car start when jumped.....

if so drive it to autozone and have them check the alternator and battery..

remember an alternator or battery will act differently on a diesel... since it is not dependant on electric to run...

Check your grounds, especially the chassis-engine strap. I found the engine exhaust bracket that the strap attached to was loose. Same symptoms- start fine one time and not even a click the next.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Check your headlights. If they come on nice and bright, then you know it is not a battery problem. Starters and thier solenoids do go out at the worst place and time (Almost feels like they were made to do that). The solenoid is nothing but a contacter relay. As we all know, relays are either bad or going bad.

The click you hear when you turn the key are the contacts closing to send juice to the starter motor.

If the starter worked good after you tightened the wiring connections, I would be willing to bet that you have corrosion in the wiring. Since tightening them moved things a little the problem was alleviated for a few days. Any Green stuff on the wiring is corrosion. Coca-Cola is a wonderful copper cleaner, It'll get the wire nice and shiney again.

You may need to trim some insulation to check the condition of the wire.

Of course it could be a bad starter too, or netrual safety switch, or even a bad ignition switch.

Good luck.

Marty

Also need to make sure you did not over tighten the electrical connections. The posts can crack inside the solenoid, and you would never know it, until you can't get the starter to turn the engine over.

Good point from Marty to check for corrosion. If you do use Coca Cola, make sure you flush it away, or else you will have a sticky mess when it dries. Flush with baking soda and water. It will neutralize and phosphoric acid left by the coke. You can also use a really fine grit emory cloth to clean the connections as well. Use a stiff brass brush on threaded posts, if you can reach them. You can also use a battery teminal brush as well, just make sure the battery is disconnected before you do that, unless you want to see sparks fly!

this was what it turned out to be. I think the starter IS still questionable as it's the original with 230K on it, however after I tightened up the ground strap again (I think I did this before) I got life back into the starter and it fired right up.

thanks for all the ideas, great help!