W124 602 starter - harness or ?

[dieselbenz1]

No issues no warning just finished a 20 km drive after filling with diesel went to start and drive away. Turned key lights dim lots of clicking from GP relay and starter. Turned off removed key popped hood radio starts playing opened door then opened hood. Nothing out of the ordinary loosened battery terminals twisted and retightened a bit dirty but to be expected due for fall servicing anytime. Opened door radio playing keys in hand inserted key lights normal turned key to position 1 lights normal, turned key clicking called son for booster cables and tow rope. Tried a boost clicking so towed home very interesting actually dangerously sickening how people cut in front and cause the lead truck to immediately brake not so fun for a disabled 124 driver.

In the garage no keys in wiper starts. Battery tests good ok starter is definately shot or is it accompanied by a wire harness failure. My bet is both. I had a dream of something similar a few weeks ago and shrugged it of being complacent of what a nice starting car it I guess was.

Normally a starter failures, battery failures is easily identified but whats up with the gremlins?

[TopKnot]

ignition switch?

[Maxbumpo]

How did you test the battery? This really sounds like either a battery issue or maybe a bad battery cable / bad batter ground issue. A failing cell (shorting out) in the battery can cause what you describe, even with a second car hooked up with booster cables. Bad cable / ground connections can also rob the starter of the necessary current/voltage to start.

I think the starter solenoid should engage if at least 10 volts reach the solenoid. Try measuring the voltage at the solenoid (small wire) to see if that is dropping off too much.

[barry12345]

Not the starter anyways is pretty certain. Too much else going on. I suspect a poor ground strap connection. Although it can of course be other things as well.

[dieselbenz1]

Well I put a charger on the battery overnight even though it was showing 12.6. When I checked the charger this morning the amps were pulsating between 2 amps and 6 amps every couple of seconds. The voltage read 10.1 issue battery. The battery was 7.5 years old after I checked my records.

Last night I first tried jumping car in parallel with battery no go. Then moved the ground jumper to the engine no go. Then disconnected the battery and jumped directly to the plus cable and other end to the engine. Only 6 foot cables heavy duty cables but the Tacoma battery despite being new didn't have the required power.

The dome light was dim then bright but that was on a 6 or so second cycle which threw me. As for the radio randomly coming on I chalk that up to the delay in powering down. Normally after removing the key the radio stays on for maybe 10 seconds by design. I have no explanation about the wipers starting.

I went to an Interstate supplier and they never heard of blemished batteries but any Interstate battery returned within 2 years of purchase are rebuilt by Interstate and sold at 1/3 cost with the same as new warranty. A new Interstate battery is just north of $300 but none in stock so I went for the $110 rebuilt and never called the dealer.

I never saw or observed a pulsating battery before and that had me overly concerned with my biodegradable wiring harness. I guess time to inspect the wiring and maybe collect parts to rebuild the original starter.

Daylight running lights are a danger especially at night with a battery In the condition my battery was. Key had to be in the run position to steer, headlights sucked all the power preventing hazard lights from working. Soon daytime running lights will be history or I'll have 4 small flashing led lamps with magnetic mounts for each corner.

[vstech]

Euro drl use very little current. Flashers use a LOT...
A shot battery will have trouble maintaining flashers...