Stranded in parking lot, had to do the hammer trick - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aieeegrunt · #1 03-31-2014, 08:30 PM

Got some groceries, hop in the car, turn the key, click and fail.

Tapped starter with a wrench, car fired up. Has started several times without being smacked since.

So I guess it is time for a new starter. My question is how much borrowed time do I have? Should I park it till I have the new starter in it? Is it a case of just being annoyed every so often by having to tap it?

The car is my daily driver so it could be annoying if I have to park it for a week.

Thanks

Phillytwotank · #2 03-31-2014, 09:45 PM

It may last for a while like it is. Eventually getting worse to the point when you'll have to rap it every time.

It's likely the solenoid section of the starter that is causing it to fail to start. It could Aldo be something simple like poor connections or a bad cable. So check all that first.

If you are comfortable to take the starter off and take it apart. The solenoid may be able to be cleaned to bring it back to life. A new solenoid can also be had for like $90 if you want to try that route.

aieeegrunt · #3 03-31-2014, 09:56 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. By cable do you mean that ground wire thing?

Phillytwotank · #4 03-31-2014, 10:08 PM

That. And the big cable from from the positive lead to the starter.

Graham · #5 03-31-2014, 10:08 PM

When i had that problem, it was first intermittent but gradually got worse. I changed ignition and neutral switches with no improvement. Checked cables. In the end, i had the starter rebuilt. It was in a mess inside and depending on where it came to rest, it would sometimes work, sometimes not. Dirt on commutator, i guess.

aieeegrunt · #6 03-31-2014, 10:50 PM

I kind of figured that was the deal. I'll start looking for a replacement. This does not seem like it would be a smart job to do with the car on ramps in a gravel driveway. From what I have read so far it sounds like getting the starter off is a real *****

sleepstar · #7 04-01-2014, 12:20 AM

i think on the non-turbo its somewhere between the 240D and the 300 turbo. the 240D is easy. i've heard horror stories about the turbo. let me know how it goes if you do it. i have to change mine soon and am considering just taking it to the mechanic. i figure with a lift it wont be more than an hour of labor cost.

ROLLGUY · #8 04-01-2014, 12:30 AM

That started about a year ago on my SD, and is still there (happened today again). When it fails to start, I just hold the key in the start position for 5-10 seconds or so, and it eventually starts. It has been that way for a year, so you may have a while left. For me it usually happens after driving a while, and then turning off the car. A few minutes later, the car won't start. I tried the hammer (actually a piece of pipe) trick the first few times, but after a while I realized that just holding the key made it start....Rich

Zacharias · #9 04-01-2014, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aieeegrunt

I kind of figured that was the deal. I'll start looking for a replacement. This does not seem like it would be a smart job to do with the car on ramps in a gravel driveway. From what I have read so far it sounds like getting the starter off is a real *****

I think a non-turbo is only slightly more difficult than a 4-cylinder, and I did a 240d in a dirt parking lot with just the screw jack and a jackstand, some years ago.

The job is quite involved when it's 300d turbo model.

Stretch · #10 04-01-2014, 01:35 AM

Easy job on the non turbo - remove some stuff on top and reach on down in there!

dude99 · #11 04-01-2014, 03:41 AM

I would not wait on this. Both my cars starters died within 1.5 weeks of the starter exhibiting similar simptoms. If you have the option to park it untill you fix it, do so.

As others have said, the starter on the non turbo isn't that bad. Pull out the air cleaner assembly and battery tray and you have access to the top bolt, easy weekend job.

Skippy · #12 04-01-2014, 05:13 AM

I've done starters on a 240D and a turbo 300D. First time in the 240D was the hardest. The last one I did was in the 300 and it took about two hours with me taking my sweet time about it. I probably could have done it in one if I had been in a hurry.

oldsinner111 · #13 04-01-2014, 06:13 AM

Starter is as easy as most cars.However you must have a big arm to break the bolts.

aieeegrunt · #14 04-01-2014, 09:23 AM

Hmmmmm food for thought here. I will try the "just hold the key" trick if it happens again

dtf · #15 04-01-2014, 10:17 AM

Be careful when poking around the starter. If you accidently touch both posts on it it will ZAP you big time. I was changing the oil on my '94 wagon when I dropped the socket for the oil filter housing cap and it fell on top of the starter and when I moved it to pick it up it bridged the + and - poles and blew a hole in the socket and sent sparkks flying everywhere - no joke!