Seems the starter is going bad as 2 times in last week both times after prolonged driving in damp weather when I tried to restart after a short stop there was nothing at starter. Each time after banging on starter it caught and started. It seems it is hard to find brushes for this starter. I have heard it is pita to take starter off which does not surprise me with M.B. I mkght try to get a rebuklt cheapy from a.z. as seems advanve is out of them but I would like to get just the brushes at afair price and rebuild the one I have for a spare. Any suggestions as to where I can get starter and brushes?

First, don't believe the blanket statement about the starter change out. Many don't know the difference between the W123 and the W126 series. The W126 series isn't bad at all. I've changed the starter out a couple of times in a parking lot.

Also, before you go to the trouble of changing it out, clean and check your ground straps battery-chassis and especially chassis-engine. I had a loose chassis-engine strap and was giving the same symptoms.

For repair parts, give these guys a try:
Wagner Alternators and Supplies, Inc.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Source: Alternator & Starter Parts Wholesale

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Being able to get it to work by banging on it suggests something loose on the inside.
On my starter it was the three screws which hold the cage which holds the brushes in place..
The brushes are massive.... and may be just fine...
open it up and see if those screws on the end plate are loose...
might be a cheap and relatively easy fix.

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Sticking solenoid

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

Thanx for the replies I guess I will take it off and open it up after looking for lose connections. I recently found the main engine ground strap was lose which gave me errattic readings on my temp. gauge. I guess I just paniced a bit when it happened 800 miles from home. Yesterday it was fine when I took it to work will keep an eye on it rest of the week and get to it on days off.

Does it take a different starter for the 85 300 sd then the 81-84s. Part # for 85 is 16999 and for the 84s is 16934? AS I looking for a remanufactured or used starter and want to know what will fit.

AZ life time guaranty, means you are guarantied to change it for life. Maybe a year maybe a week.

Think I solved issue with bad starter I was going to take starter off and noticed I had a slightly lose bottom bolt with ground strap attached and was missing top mounting bolt completely so starter was only secured with one bolt and starter bracket. I replaced top bolt and tigntened up on bottom bolt with ground strap and starter has not acted up since. This was a cheap fix w/o even having to take starter off.

Proof that Basic Troubleshooting can work.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

AZ will guarantee that fix for life also. If it fails just do it again.

I did check with A.Z. and advance before I even looked at it and they both told me they could not get the cheapy rebuild, supplier was out of stock. Napa said they could get one for about $140. Glad I looked at it closely before going that route.