starting issue - electrical - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dunl · #1 07-23-2007, 03:39 PM

My 80 300SD has been sitting for six months now, and I tried starting it today for the first time in three months (why not sooner? I don't know....).

Anyway, we had the power go out here last week, and my sump pump was getting ready to overflow. I pulled the battery from the car, hooked it to an inverter, and ran the sump off it for over two hours (good batteries, those diesels...

).

I recharged the battery last night, and tried to restart the car. Nothing, just a heavy dull click. Took the battery from my running 126, and just a heavy click. Cleaned all the terminals off, took off the ground wire and cleaned everything there....click.

There is power from the battery to the end of the cables, but once it is hooked to the car, there seems to be nothing. Let me correct that - there seems to be enough power to turn on the headlights and the stereo, but not enough to turn the engine over. I can't even make the booster cables spark on the end of the terminals.

I suspect that the problem lies in the connection at the starter.

Is it a very involved process to remove the positive terminal from the starter for cleaning to see if that is the issue?

Is there something else I might be missing in this vehicle that has sat for a few months?

Thanks.

NC Benz · #2 07-23-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunl

My 80 300SD has been sitting for six months now, and I tried starting it today for the first time in three months (why not sooner? I don't know....).

Anyway, we had the power go out here last week, and my sump pump was getting ready to overflow. I pulled the battery from the car, hooked it to an inverter, and ran the sump off it for over two hours (good batteries, those diesels...

).

I recharged the battery last night, and tried to restart the car. Nothing, just a heavy dull click. Took the battery from my running 126, and just a heavy click. Cleaned all the terminals off, took off the ground wire and cleaned everything there....click.

There is power from the battery to the end of the cables, but once it is hooked to the car, there seems to be nothing. Let me correct that - there seems to be enough power to turn on the headlights and the stereo, but not enough to turn the engine over. I can't even make the booster cables spark on the end of the terminals.

I suspect that the problem lies in the connection at the starter.

Is it a very involved process to remove the positive terminal from the starter for cleaning to see if that is the issue?

Is there something else I might be missing in this vehicle that has sat for a few months?

Thanks.

Corroded ground connection?

dunl · #3 07-23-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Benz

Corroded ground connection?

Cleaned, down to the nut and bolt that holds it in. All shiny, if not new.

bellyboy · #4 07-23-2007, 04:15 PM

did you try to jump the starter?

in my 83 on the passengers wheel well there is a black plastic box about 1x3 in there, there is 3 electrical connections i believe the one all the way to the left goes to the starter here you can jump it with the ignition turned on, and a wire from the battery. or you could try to make a connection with a screw driver on the selenoid to the 2 screws on there, the screws are towards the front of the car and can be a challenge to get at. to rule out starter issue

this is assuming my 83sd and yours are similar

dunl · #5 07-23-2007, 04:45 PM

I just came in from trying to jump the starter, but unsure of what I am doing. I now have good electrical connection enough to "spark" the booster cables when I touch them to the terminals, but nothing from the starter.

People on here have talked about a "purple wire" - I'm assuming they mean the top wire that comes from the screw in the box (or the left most one as you are looking at them). I have tried connecting this straight from the battery, but there is only sparking, no starter turning?

rrgrassi · #6 07-23-2007, 04:48 PM

I believe that purple wire is connected to the glow plug system. It is possible that the starter died in it's six month slumber...

bellyboy · #7 07-23-2007, 04:49 PM

my wife just took the car so i cant look

i believe it is the purple one and it heads to the starter. ignition is on?

dunl · #8 07-23-2007, 04:53 PM

Ignition is on. Connection just makes a clicking sound from the other side of the engine.

Purple wire must have been replaced by black in it's 28 years. Is it possible to jump sirectly to the starter, and where exactly?

bellyboy · #9 07-23-2007, 04:56 PM

if it starts by jumping it is not a starter issue

have you tried wacking the starter?

winmutt · #10 07-23-2007, 04:58 PM

Have you tried the old hammer trick? You On 123 the starter bump terminal is right in front of the battery. Black plastic cap with 3 wires. You jump 1+3. Not sure about your situation.

[edit]
Jynx!

dunl · #11 07-23-2007, 04:58 PM

It's not starting....is it possible there's something wrong with the wire I am jumping to?

I did whack it a few times, no luck either.

bellyboy · #12 07-23-2007, 05:04 PM

when you say it makes a click. mine makes a click it seems it comes from the engine compartment on the drivers side-when i had this issue.

after i replaced alot of parts it turned out it was the starter and it would do it intermittenly but it wouldnt make any real starting noises other then what i described above

unfortunately anything is possible

rrgrassi · #13 07-23-2007, 05:07 PM

The GP relay clicks also.

bellyboy · #14 07-23-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

The GP relay clicks also.

i assumed it may have been that

Leadslinger11B · #15 07-23-2007, 05:29 PM

I am having the exact same problem with my 85 300D, ive tried the jump terminal, lets see if im doin it right, I put two screwdrivers on the outside screws, and crossed em, sparks and clicks but no starter activity, I tried touching a heavy gague wire to em both and same same, sparks and clicks, so whats this about a wire from the battery to the left screw? Just touch a wire from the pos terminal to the left screw?

I havent tried whackin the starter, cant see it, I can get my arm and face under there but thats it, someone stole my floor jack and im not using the Benz jack, I wanna keep my head round, not flat. Drivers side right? I can see the bottom of the bell housing but cant find that darn cranker, must be tucked away tight.