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  #1  
Old 02-14-2009, 08:29 PM
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Problems starting 1981 300D

OK, just as a disclaimer, I do not have much experience with electrical problems. I have spent the last two weekends going between research in this forum and testing the suggestions on my car. The advice I have found has been great and has really shown me how more I have to learn.

My problem is this: when I try to start my car, I turn the key to let the plugs glow and once the light goes off I turn the key fully. When I do this, I get a loud click, but the starter does not seem to engage. I just replaced the starter with the help of a neighbor and also replaced the battery as well. I have checked all the connections from the battery to the grounds, to the starter and from the ignition. I have jumped the connections in the terminal block (terrifying) and the starter sounds as though it is working correctly. I have not been able to locate the NSS on my own yet and will be looking into that shortly. A friend was able to get my car to start in neutral, but I have not been able to replicate that. Having done all of the above, what might I have missed?

Again, I am very new to this so please bear with me. I know that this is a fairly well covered topic and I apologize for adding another thread to the pile. Thanks in advance for your help.

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  #2  
Old 02-14-2009, 08:55 PM
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HMMM. sound like you are on the right track with the NSS.

do an archive search also !!

good luck
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  #3  
Old 02-14-2009, 10:32 PM
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This is quite a common problem on 123's. Some people have solved it by cleaning the connections inside the ignition switch. There is a thread here somewhere on how to do it. Other people have rewired the system, putting a solenoid near the battery and only using the ignition switch to activate that solenoid thinking that the old wires and connections in the original system are reducing power to the starter. There's a picture of this alternative in a thread somewhere.
My 85 300TD has this problem periodically. I just carry a piece of wire to jump the terminals in the block after glowing. It usually has the problem a few times in a day or two, then it goes away for a number of months. This has been happening for about 5 years. I originally bought a new starter, thinking that was the problem, but now I just view it as a quirk.
If it got to be a permanent problem, I'd consider wiring a remote start switch directly to the two terminals on the junction block in front of the battery and running the switch up near the driver.
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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
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  #4  
Old 02-15-2009, 12:40 AM
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If the Neutral Safety Switch was the problem would his starter even make a clicking sound?
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  #5  
Old 02-15-2009, 03:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel911 View Post
If the Neutral Safety Switch was the problem would his starter even make a clicking sound?
Yah you have a good point, if the NSS was bad nothing would be going on at the starter. Hit the starter with a hammer and see if it starts. If it starts then you need to take advantage of a warranty on that starter. Also make sure all the connections are tight, it could be that the starter is not getting all the juice it needs.
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  #6  
Old 02-15-2009, 07:34 AM
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Check your ground connections again. If you have a multimeter measure resistance from battery negative post to the engine block. It should be low 1-3 ohms.
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  #7  
Old 02-15-2009, 11:24 AM
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If the starter activates by jumping the terminals on the junction bar, the problem is neither a bad starter or a bad ground since both those problems would still exist when jumping from the junction bar. The problem is in the ignition wiring circuit somewhere.
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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
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  #8  
Old 02-15-2009, 02:03 PM
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Thanks for all the help!

Thanks to everyone for offering their help and suggestions. "White Lightning" is running again, but it looks like it's the starter AGAIN. After checking the ignition and the NSS, I decided to give the starter another whack and it started right up. Looks like I'm going to have to return the starter that I just put in less than a month ago and see about getting a more reliable rebuilt Bosch.

I'll search the forums for good suppliers and suggestions. Thanks again for the help and let me know if you think if there is anything that I might be missing. I almost hope it's something else so I don't have to replace the starter again.
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  #9  
Old 02-15-2009, 02:28 PM
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I'd think twice about that. If it works from the junction block without wacking the starter, it points to reduced power getting to your starter thru the existing wiring system. If it won't work without wacking it from the junction block, then I agree replacing the starter might be a reasonable course of action.
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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
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  #10  
Old 02-15-2009, 02:37 PM
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Yeah, I hope that it isn't the starter and it is the wiring. I'm going to trace all the wiring again and see if I can find the culprit. From what I can see, all of the wiring is original, so there is bound to be at least one connection that needs to be replaced. Thanks.
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  #11  
Old 02-15-2009, 02:40 PM
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Note my earlier post where I mention a forum member who found the problem in the connections inside the ignition switch.
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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
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  #12  
Old 02-16-2009, 11:58 AM
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Thanks again for all the help.

After running with no issues yesterday, it took another whack on the starter to get it going this morning. I'm going to take the starter back this weekend and get it replaced or tested. I'm also going to try to get some help on the ignition since I'm definitely out of my depth there.

So, the consensus is still that it is either the starter or not enough power getting to the starter?
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  #13  
Old 02-16-2009, 12:04 PM
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Did you try jumping the terminals before whacking the starter? I just carry a small piece of solid copper wire from a section of Romex. I cut the insulation off the ends and use it as a jumper. If the starter fails to turn when jumped at the junction block, then the problem is likely the starter itself.
I wouldn't remove the starter or get it tested before isolating the problem to either the starter or wiring.
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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
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  #14  
Old 02-16-2009, 12:27 PM
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try this!
#1 remove the negative terminal from the battery first!
ONE AT A TIME, remove each screw on the terminal block and clean all rust and dirt off the screw, the wires and the block, reassemble and after all the screws are tight, test the starter! directly shorting with a wire gives tons of amps at the screw, the key has 10+ feet of wire and any resistance could be causing a difficulty starting! if all works well, spray some battery terminal protectant on the screws and call it a day!
oh, be sure you have a good #3 phillips screwdriver before starting!

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