On my '83 300 cd, the starter (prolly the solenoid?) is starting to click occaisionally w/o engaging, batteries are old but read good, cranks just fine when it does engage.

What it is, is, I have (2) '82 parts cars, one na, & the other is turbo, both 300's.
Are the starters all interchangeable? na/turbo/'82/'83?

The turbo is in such a position, it will be a royal pain to get at the pass side of car for removal of starter. (motor has a dropped valve & does not run)
The na car runs, but is easily accessable.

I figured I'd find out what works before starting anything.

All info appreciated, -corne-

all are interchangeable, except the california 85,in fact its preferable to use the turbo version on all models

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

All are interchangeable but some NA's came with a lower power starter.

Did you take the battery to the auto store and have it tested? What condition are your cables in? Have you cleaned the chassis to battery ground and the chassis to trans ground?

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I'm almost positive that if you are running a "test pipe" on your Cali 617 you can use the Federal starter. And I also believe that the Cali starter will work on a Federal car.

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

Agreed. I wouldn't use a n/a starter, too weak.

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83 SD

84 CD

I have been going through the 'two cd' maintenence manual from MB. What a major frustrating setup it is. I cannot find anything about starters in it anywhere. Only 'engine electric is for glow/preglow. I prolly missed it in all the 'confusion'.

How does one remove the starter?? With the turbo, there is stuff seriously in the way, top & bottom. Whats the easiest method for removal?

I am assuming there are 4 bolts, two on each end, plus wiring. On the flywheel end I found one bolt missing (I think ?) & couldnt find another one, so much in the way.
Am I missing something?

The starter in my 300D is a take out from my old 240D. I bought the starter at Auto Zone, and I don't know the part number. It could be they just sell the turbo version for everything. Or maybe not. Anyway it starts fine in all temperatures I've encountered with no block heater.

There's an L-bracket at the front of the starter with four bolts, then there are two (IIRC) actual starter bolts, plus the electrical connections. I did this most recent one through the bottom and it didn't take long.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I had a shop replace mine, I understand a series of extensions and wobbles help.

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83 SD

84 CD