Its embarassing! I replaced my starter motor on my 85 300D because three months ago I turned the key and heard no response. 30 minutes later I came out of the house and the car started on the first turn of the ignition switch and worked perfectly for six months...until it happened again..

I figured the solenoid was dying on my starter and went to a reputable junkyard in Seattle that had a starter motor that looked like new on its shelf. I'm pretty sure it was, also..

Anway my wife had the car out shoppinng today and she said the same thing happened again! Luckily when I put the new starter in I had also wired up an emergency wire to the solenoid that could be used to hit screw post #1 in that 3 pin box. I figured I could also use it for service to turn the engine over when I was doing my valves....

Now my question is, what could it be? I have a new battery, new cables, new clamps... I am wondering if its the ignition switch or a bad wire to the starter solenoid....