My starter is D E A D. New battery, does not start whether in N or P. It has been slow cranking for several months prior to finally croaking. From other threads, I know this is a bear of a DIY, but I cannot stomach forking over the money and time for a tow and mech to repair. Thus far I have removed the air cleaner, battery and tray, heat shield. As it got dark I pondered how in the heck I was going to get the 10mm hex to the top bolt, and have ANY room to loosen it. I jacked the car earlier today and the lower bolt will not be a problem, nor do I think the two front mounting bolts. But that top hex has me preplexed.

ANY help will be appreciated...hoping to drop in a replacement tomorrow or worst case next week.

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Chris
1983 300SD Cypress Green
1984 300 Turbo Diesel Petrol Blue Green (Sold...)

Dear Chris:
I did this job on my MB 300 SD - 1982 a not long ago and I had the same situation that you are having now.
The only and easy way that I found to remove that superior allen bolt was using a joint between 10 mm allen wrench and extension bar with a good breaker bar. I had also a hard time to get that bolt loose because there are not room to work but I got it done using the joint as I said above.
Hope it work for you.

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Nyck - TX - USA

Go to search and type in "300d starter replacement". You will find all the help you need. I replaced my starter about 4 months ago. The most important thing is that you have be able to get under the car with plenty of room to move around.

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Wayne

the triumph of evil requires only that good men stand by and do nothing

13 Audi A3 TDI, the Wife's!
85 190D 5 speed, 195,000 miles
75 Triumph TR 6 w/Toyota 5 speed
2000 Ford F-250 powerstroke
03 Ml500, 109000

It's not a big deal with 36" of extensions and a universal joint. Just go up alongside the transmission. Turn the wheels to get enough clearance to drop the starter through the various steering arms.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Agreed.........but, don't forget that a socket bit.......10mm??..........is an absolute necessity. No possible chance of using an allen wrench on these cap screws.

Should be obvious when you mention the 36" extensions and universal.......but........I mention it anyway.

BTW.........I think I managed the task with 24"........???

Dear Chris:
I did this job on my MB 300 SD - 1982 a not long ago and I had the same situation that you are having now.
The only and easy way that I found to remove that superior allen bolt was using a joint between 10 mm allen wrench and 36" of extension bar with a good breaker bar. I had also a hard time to get that bolt loose because there are not room to work but I got it done using the joint as I said above.
Hope it work for you.
__________________
Nyck - TX - USA

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Nyck - TX - USA

I watched my indy do mine (on a lift) with a 36" extension (no universal) by dropping the rear tranny mount and letting it fall about 1-2 inches.

Here is a pretty detailed how-to on the 126 starter replacement, with pictures and everything. 300SD Starter R&R, w/photos

Hope that helps,

Gilbert

OK - thanks to your guys help I am half way home. Starter is out, took about 45 minutes, am now headed to NAPA to get a replacement. Not looking forward to the install.

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Chris
1983 300SD Cypress Green
1984 300 Turbo Diesel Petrol Blue Green (Sold...)

Picked up rebuilt starter, and methodically installed, took about 50 minutes. Carefully replaced all the bits and pieces, torqued everything down, dumped the battery in and it fired up on the first try. Dropped her off the jack stand, washed up a bit and test drove trhough the neighborhood. Stopped at home, changed shirts and headed to the gas station to fill up and air the tires. Topped her off, started great, drove over to the air pump and after filling the tires - dead again. Same thing as before. Nothing at all. Has a new battery, so it cannot be that. The bench tested the starter at the store before I took it so that should be good. I am torqued. After a 3 mile walk home I am considering abandoning the car...we both might be better off....I tried jumping the started in N and that did not work either.

What now?

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Chris
1983 300SD Cypress Green
1984 300 Turbo Diesel Petrol Blue Green (Sold...)

Yeah........I'd be PO'd as well.

The only possibilities are the neutral safety switch or the ignition switch. You'll need to chase it with a voltmeter. Clearly, the starter solenoid isn't getting any signal from the keyswitch.............but............I would verify this just to be sure.

You might want to install a jumper wire off the solenoid terminal and run it up near the battery. Until you find the culprit, you can always start it by touching this wire to the positive battery terminal. At least you won't be stranded.

Are your cables and terminals clean and in good shape? Something as simple as a corroded terminal or bad ground can cause the problems that you are experiencing.

Although he didn't mention it, I figure that the solenoid should at least provide an audible click with a bad connection point. Since the battery was just replaced, it's unlikely that those clamps are the culprit.

But, the check for voltage at the start terminal when the problem surfaces would confirm this...........for sure. If voltage is present, the problem is cables/terminals/ground strap.

PM sent Chris.....

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Looking for another Mercedes 300D or SD as a project vehicle..

I had a problem similar after replace my starter and I did the following:
At the fender on passenger side you will find a connection box terminal with a cover on it.Open cover and momentarely connect terminals 30 and 50.Your solenoide should click or engage the starter and make it run.
Be careful to just touch terminals MOMENTARELY.
Try it and you will figure out is the problem is your lock switch or other wiring.
Hope works.

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Nyck - TX - USA