OK so I got my starter replaced (rebuilt) on my 1982 300td and drove it around all day and all was well. Now it is the next day and went to start the car and it chugged once and then just spun. Now all it will do is spin.
I checked the connections and they seem tight. What now?
HELP

Bad starter. It's not unheard of.

Like most "rebuilt" components, the product depends on the source. Typically, they replace any failed component, put in a couple of bearings and send it on its way. It's nowhere near a "new" starter.

In your specific situation, it appears that the solenoid was not replaced and that it's now the culprit.

If it is just spinning and not engaging, the bendix is not working. They usually get crudded up and will work properly with a good cleaning and oiling.

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

All the pics in the manual I have seen show the starters to have Overrunning Clutches; not Bendixes. (The same setups as Chevy Starters.)
I know that people often use the term Bendix to genericaly mean Gear on the Starter. However, when it comes to trouble shooting the differance between an Overrunning Clutch and a real Bendix is meaningful.

As Brian said if the Solenoid does not push it out to engage the Flywheel it will just spin.
On the other hand if the Overrunning Clutch itself is shot it will engage the flywheel and also spin but usually are a little noisy.

The other reasons for it not to engage the Flywheel are Burrs on the teeth of the Flywheel, the wrong Gear on the Overrunning clutch, or something assembled wrong keeping the Starter Gear From moving all the way.

This brings back a subject from a past Thread that it is a good idea to have them test a rebuilt Starter before you leave the Parts Place.

A bad Solenoid might show up when they test it but a bad Overrunning clutch would not.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Thanks for the help. I thought I finally had my wagon fixed but again I was wrong. Hope this is the last time I will have to tow it to the shop, I only have two tows left on my auto club till August.

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1982 300TD
1973 220D ambulance
1974 240D pick-up

Maybe you need to upgrade your AutoClub membership and get more tows and tows for longer distances free.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I have the premium membership 5 tows 100 miles 200 miles once. I even have motorcycle and RV towing. I upgraded to the 200 mile before I picked up my ambulace and drove it home to Los Angeles from Oakland.
Is there a way to get it started when it spins?

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1982 300TD
1973 220D ambulance
1974 240D pick-up

Don't let them FLAT TOW it with the rear wheels on the ground. It will hurt the transmission. My recommendations on the starter is to buy a BOSCH rebuilt unit.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Hmm. I did not know it had a different name. Lubing up the cylinder within the solinoid has worked for me on several occasions. I have owned my 240d for 6 years, the few times the starter has failed, i have been able to get it cleaned up, oiled and back in service. Its fairly simple

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

where'd you get the starter? is it a Bosch?

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the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa

Took it to my mechanic and he sent it out to be rebuilt. Don't know what brand but it was good all day when I picked it up and now it just spins. Before it was rebuilt it cranked slow.
Just checked the auto club website and I only get 4 tows now. I am going to call and say my husbands name because he still has all his tows and see what happens when the tow truck guy shows up and he is not here. I dont want to use my last tow and get stranded at a later date.
As far as cleaning the solinoid goes to get it to turn over, the starter is the cleanest thing in the engine compartment.
Any more suggestions to get it going???

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1982 300TD
1973 220D ambulance
1974 240D pick-up

In the past I have gone inside of the Solenoid an have found the Copper contact areas burned badly burned. If not badly the can be filed to clean the contact areas up.
But, sometimes th pastic cover is rivited on keeping a person from taking a look at it withou out risking damage or not being able to put it back together.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Since the recent rebuilt Starter worked for a while and I bleieve you said the previous starter also worked for a while also I am thinking the for some reason the starter is not getting enough electricity and the solenoid is not pusning the Starter Pinion Gear out far enought to engage the Flywheel.
This would be due to a poor Ground or (+) wire and cable connections. Battery Cables can be rotted out under the insulation near the Terminal Clamps. Of course a weak battery could cause the same problem as it might charge up OK but when you start the Voltage will drop too fast (see if your car will start with Jumper Cables connected to a good battery + the one in your car; this will give you 2 batteris to crank from).

The other possible is that there are Burrs on the Flywheel Ring Gear Teeth keeping the Starter Pinion Gear from moving far enough (there should be a bit of noise; metal to spinning metal). To look for Burs (mushed out worn and deformed metal that is protruding further than it is supposed to) you must rotate the Engine by hand and look at all of the Ring Gear Teeth.
On mine the only way to see the teeth is I believe to remove the starter (some cars have a cover on the Bell Housing you can remove). If Burrs are found they can be filed or ground off carefully.

The last thing I can think of is that it is not unknow for part of the Flywheel Ring Gear Teeth to be worn more than the rest. It could be starting when it is lucky enough to catch on the area with good teeth and spinning in an area where the teeth are worn down. Again, you have to see and inspect the teeth.

can't think of any more.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

before i replaced my starter i'd usually get that spinning/grinding at least 1 in every 6 start ups... what i'd do to get it to turn was to lightly tap/bang on the starter solenoid... it'd start right up after a few "hits"... it's just an "emergency, i have to get home" thing...
i eventually replaced the entire starter since some plastic gear broke inside the original

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project