Okay so I'm having some starter issues. When i turn the key its as if the starter isn't catching or grabbing whatever gear it needs to grab to start cranking the engine. It takes 3 to 4 tries to get it to "grab" whatever it does to get the engine to crank. What is it's problem?

__________________
1973 280 - Sold
1980 300SD - Sold
1982 240D - Stolen
1988 300E - Sold
1989 260E - Sold
1989 560SEL
1994 E420 - Sold
1997 E420
2005 CL500

Sounds like your starter is the problem. Earlier this winter when it first started getting cold my starter would spin for a fraction of a second then just "Whhhiirrrrrrr". I replaced the starter with a known working used one. Haven't had a problem since.

I would first check to make sure your starter is solidily in place. It could have jostled loose and is not making good contact.

I'm sure others will chime in with more about specifics about the starter like springs and bendix's, but unless you are rebuilding it yourself it is probably a moot point as you most likely will replace the whole unit.

Good luck.

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Could be as simple as old cold grease causing the bendix to stick on the shaft or it could be as serious as damaged teeth on the ring gear of the flywheel. You could pull your starter and fire it up on the bench to see if the bendix is moving smoothly. If not, clean up the shaft, regrease, get it moving smoothly and reinstall. You could probable get a visual on the ring gear by turning the engine by hand and looking thru the starter hole while it is out.

__________________
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