So, if anyone has read the thread about the AL49X alternator I'm trying to install, well, I started today. I was unbolting the main + cable connection from the starter solenoid when the badness happened. I broke off the terminal, with a chunk of the plastic solenoid housing still on it. I sheared the copper inside (!!) I really didn't have much pressure on it, just a little cresent wrench! Anyway, I needed the car in a few hours so I tried to rig something together. I drilled a hole in the remaining copper inside the solenoid and tried to tap a bolt into it. Kind of a shoddy job, but I thought it might work. No such luck; it shorted out when I hooked the battery back up. Lots of sparking and such.

Now I'm really mad. I leave everything as is, and just got back to the house now. I looked up threads, and auto parts stores' prices on starter solenoids. What should I do, the solenoid is almost as much (and in some cases more) than the starter! It might not hurt to replace the old starter, it looks pretty old. But, it seems they are a chore to get off. I couldn't get the solenoid off of the starter in the car though. I didn't try too awful hard though, I didn't have a real reason to.

Please, I could use some advice here. If anyone has been here, let me know. Thank you all in advance.

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles

Alright, I can't wrench that stupid solenoid off with it in the car. Just cant get enought pressure on those little phillips head screws, so I'm going to drop the starter. And, since the solenoid is 50 bucks or so, and the starter is 80, I'm just going to put a whole new one in.

Now, I want to get the bigger turbodiesel one, so my 240 will really spin in the cold. What car starter should I go in and ask for at autozone or oreilly's? Advance wants too much for theirs.

The reason I ask is because online, a 300 turbodiesel and my 240 both show the same starter on autozone's site, but different at oreilly's. what gives?

Part number is 16445 for 240D at both stores.
16445 for 300 turbo and 240D at autozone, and
16445 for 240D and 16957 at o'reillys.

will the 16957 work?

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles

If you search on the Internet for the solenoid number, you might come up with a source that has the part for about $20.00. I remember seeing them for less than $20.00.

Another option is to go to a you-pull-it parts and get the whole starter for about $10.00. (I went that route I didn't want to wait on the part)

Good luck,
Don

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it