Let me start by saying that I am aware this is already a fairly well-documented topic in the forum and that I have perused numerous threads regarding troubleshooting a suspected faulty starter and/or related components. After looking them over, I think I have a bad starter and I guess I'm looking for a little reassurance from the heads before tackling the job of replacing it. Allow me to explain...

The car in questions is my 1984 300SD... I have (had) an intermittent problem whereby the car simply would not start. Turning the key resulted in absolutely nothing. I could usually count on it occurring at some point during a lengthy road trip and I assumed it was therefore heat-related. Usually I would just not shut the car off until the day's driving was complete. Then, it might start fine for months without an issue. As I said, it was very intermittent. It has been my experience in my 27+ years of troubleshooting and fixing things (specifically in-shop B-1 Bomber avionics) that intermittent problems are the very worst; the saying being simply "you can't fix it if it aint broke". That being said, I suppose the bright side of my current situation is that it is now definitely broke. I spent all day yesterday reviving my long-lost A/C on the same car, a job in and of itself...flushed & purged condenser, evaporator, and all associated lines; replaced compressor, dryer, temp & pressure switches, pulled to vacuum for quite some time (no leaks ), charged system with 2.9 lbs of good old R-12, and ops checked good with 38 deg F of ice-cold air at the vent. I still need to take her out of the road for a better long-term evaluation of A/C operation. Ironically, I did all this in my driveway/carport with ambient air temp around 105 deg F. Anyway, I digress... It was when we (wife, son and myself) decided to go to the coin wash at nearly 10PM and after the car was clean (not relevant) that it decided not to start. I waited for a while as I have done successfully in the past, but no cigar. We were able to get a ride home from a nearby good Samaritan and then brought the truck back in order to tow the car back home. Instead, I got brave and actually managed to successfully tow-start the car and then drove it home. [Incidentally, this is very cool, although I can't imagine it's good for the tranny.]

My troubleshooting today consisted of trying to lightly tap on the starter housing in the event the Bendix drive mechanism was stuck, no help. I then jumpered the appropriate terminals on the passenger side fender wall in the engine compartment and got the same results as when I tried to start it with the key...nothing. What I've read suggests that this step eliminates the switches involved (ignition & NSS) from consideration. So I'm inclined to think the starter is bad. Incidentally, I have not read too many (any ) good experiences documented herein regarding removing the starter and I'm of a mind to take it to my indie to let him do it; if for no other reason than the job will likely be more doable with the car up on a lift. Plus, I am somewhat pressed for time. Anyway, that's here I'm at with this thing...

Any other thoughts that I should consider are greatly appreciated...?

-Ken

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-Ken Harris
1984 Mercedes 300SD
2001 VW Passat 1.8T
2004 Harley Davidson FLHRSI
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