Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-24-2009, 03:23 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: California
Posts: 1
1981 300D starter wont crank?

I have a 1981 Mercedes 300D with a fully charged battery, but the starter wont crank? What could the problem be?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-24-2009, 03:35 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
Jump terminals 1 and 3 in the plastic junction box on top of the right inner fender in front of the battery. Report back with the results.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-24-2009, 03:43 PM
Graplr's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 1,649
Bad starter or bad connection to the starter are the two most obvious issues that would cause the starter not to spin. Unless....the car is in gear.

Also, have you tried starting the car in PARK AND then in NEUTRAL? If you try starting it in gear it won't spin the starter via the NSS (neutral safety switch). When the NSS goes bad it only starts in NEUTRAL.
__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD


Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-24-2009, 04:56 PM
Diesel911's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Long Beach,CA
Posts: 50,968
Got this from another forum. If you think it might be the Neutral Safety Switch. However, this if for an 84 300D; I do not know if all 123s are wired the same.

“First make sure the selector is in P or N. Cycle through all the gear positions and try in N.
In front of the battery is a small rectangular box. Use a jumper wire to jump from one of the large posts to the small post with the purple wire. If it cranks, you've got an issue with the neutral safety switch or the ignition switch.
Above the accelerator pedal is a 4-wire plug with a harness that runs down to under the accelerator pedal and to the transmission tunnel. Unplug it, jumper across the two purple wires in the female plug and try to start again. If it starts, you need a NSS.

I do not know if your cars wiring is the same but I got part of this quote from another Forum concerning a no cranking problem with an 84 300D.
__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-24-2009, 05:09 PM
toomany MBZ's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Va
Posts: 7,820
I'll agree with folks that mention the NSS.
__________________
83 SD

84 CD
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-24-2009, 06:22 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
If the starter does not spin when you jump terminals 1 and 3, chances are your starter is bad and it's not the NSS since jumping the terminals bypasses the NSS.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-18-2012, 03:02 AM
The Diesel Noob
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 77
Sorry to bring up an old post but any help would be grateful, I just thought id ask, but could the NNS be at fault for a starter that turns over but does not catch and just makes a loud "zinggg" noise sometime?

I replaced my trans for the first time once, and since when trying to start it sometimes the starter would catch turning the engine over, sometimes it wouldnt causing the "zingggg" sound.

The reason I think it might be the NNS is because since replacing the transmission the gear selector is not lined up correctly (my first trans swap ever), as in when it shows im in D, if I started from D sometimes it thinks im in S and ill have to move it up to N just slightly if it doesn't switch gears, then back down to D and it will be normal...

If thats the case then I wont need to pay for a brand new starter that I just ordered...

Of course I could test this by trying to start my car in N when it makes that noise but this is the first ive thought about it being the NNS and considering its just past 2AM I dont think the neighbors would appreciate it...

Thanks for any info!
__________________
1984 300D | Semi Rust Free Florida Car | 184K

1985 300TD | Rusted Out | Parted To The Bone Then Crushed

Last edited by l3ushwig; 09-18-2012 at 03:17 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-18-2012, 06:10 AM
toomany MBZ's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Va
Posts: 7,820
If the starter engages at all, the NSS is okay.

You may have a starter issue.
__________________
83 SD

84 CD
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-18-2012, 06:15 AM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,832
sorry, no.
the zing could be from alignment issues with the ring gear, or a bad bendix/gear on the starter itself. did you pull the starter when you changed the trans? if so, you may have left off the rear bracket, or gotten something in the mount that has it cocked, slightly...
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-18-2012, 07:32 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Leiden, Netherlands
Posts: 614
The NSS disables starting alltogether. If your starter makes a "zinggg" noise, it is a dirty/faulty starter solenoid.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page