I've been having non-stop cold start problems for the last month in Vermont.
We've finally settled on putting a big Tarp over the hood, keeping a light bulb trained on the oil pan and on the below zero nights we keep an electric heater inside the tarp too.
I go out every 3-4 hours depending on the outside temp and start it up for an hour.
It's been great since we've kept to that schedule.
Until last night when I went out and after turning the key there was nothing.
I assumed the starter was the issue and that in the morning I could smack it with a hammer and It would start right up.
That isn't working.
Can a starter just stop working completely like that over night?
Take the starter out and do anything to it?
It's a daily driver and we have kids etc...No extra money at all.

Thoughts?
Thanks

No lie. Pull start it and let it run till the cold breaks.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

When you turned the key, did you get any response from the car at all? I.E., did the glow plug light in the instrument cluster illuminate? Is anything electrical working? If so, do these electrical items seem dim/weak?

I have a similar recurring problem in my daily driver 1995 Subaru, which only shows up in very cold weather. I do get dashboard lights but sometimes the starter won't engage until I turn the key 10-20 times.

In the past, I've cleaned electrical connections around the battery and starter and that's helped the situation for a while. I suspect, in my case, that my battery cables are old, internally corroded, and have too much resistance as such. Thus, in the cold weather, I have starting issues.

That's my working theory anyway. When spring hits, I'm probably going to replace the battery cables as part of post-winter maintenance on the car. It's just too cold to bother with it now if I can keep getting the car to start.

All the electric appears to be as strong as ever, brand new battery, but haven't tested it with the multimeter

Try putting the shifter in neutral or pushing further into park while the key is in the start position

It's also possible the Starter is frozen and cannot pull in. Try putting the light on the starter.

When were the glow plugs and valves checked?

__________________
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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!

You might try blending the diesel with some kerosene. Did this for the first time in our 300SD and it made a significant difference! My dad put some 5 gallons in (not quite the 50/50 Mercedes recommends) but it made a big difference.

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Outline of my thoughts sent via PM

Yes you can pull start an auto, see W123 owners manual.

Could be NSS, John hit on that.
Could be frozen solenoid, John hit on that.
If you get no luv from NSS troubleshooting
Try shorting the terminal block over the right fender (I think) to feed the starter solenoid directly, after starting the glow with the key.

There is documentation on the forum, someone probably knows exactly what, where and which terminals to short.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

I don't think 240D's have a terminal block on the fender, at least the 83 240D I had didn't. You have to go right to the starter solenoid terminal.

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Some useful points in this thread.

W123-TECH Not starting - Starter replacement advice | Mercedes-Benz Club of America

Check the ground strap and shifter bushings as well.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

I guess that's why I never found it on mine. That does match my recollection now.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

To use a jumper wire on the 240D starter apply + Voltage to the small terminal to crank the Starter. If nothing happens your Starter Solenoid is shot, your Ground is shot or your Batter is shot.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

U START BRO?

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?