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  #1  
Old 02-20-2003, 04:28 PM
scott 98
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Delayed starter engagement

Sometimes when I turn the key all the way over to start my car ('85 300D) after warming up the glow plugs, there is usually a delay from 1-3 seconds before my starter actually engages. I've noticed that this usually only happens on cold days. Does anyone have any idea what causes this delay? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

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  #2  
Old 02-21-2003, 12:47 AM
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there could be a number of causes. I am not an expert but I assume that the starter uses a solenoid and this could be bad. The power to teh solenoid probably comes via a relay that the actual key switch powers so this could be a problem or it may as simple as a bad ground wire somewhere.
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  #3  
Old 02-21-2003, 07:33 AM
LarryBible
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It is most likely the solenoid itself. If everything else about the starter motor is in good shape, replacing the solenoid could correct the problem.

Good luck,
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Old 02-21-2003, 08:50 AM
scott 98
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Is it possible just to replace the solenoid without replacing the starter? I've looked on FastLane and am unable to find the solenoid sold separately. In case the solenoid is not sold separately, is it possible to disassemble the solenoid and repair it myself? Has anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks,

Scott
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  #5  
Old 02-21-2003, 08:58 AM
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Wink

It could be possible that the plunger that slides inside the solenoid is sticking. Could be that someone put grease on it during assembly. Pull solenoid off, clean plunger and bore with solvent, lubricate with something dry (graphite, dry molly) reassemble. This should take care of the problem.
Hope this helps, Jeff
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  #6  
Old 02-21-2003, 02:38 PM
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My car did the same thing!!! After looking at the Starter, I noticed that one of the long bolts that hold it together was loose. Almost comming out. So I sprayed some drying fluid in the hole, waited an hour and retightened the bolt. After a few times the starter started working correctly again. I assume that there was either dampness in the starter or that The bolt was not making a good ground. This was not a mounting bolt but rather the long ones that hold the cover on the front of the starter. Hope this helps.

Joe.
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Old 02-21-2003, 04:16 PM
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What you describe is the same thing I was going through two months ago. First there was a small delay in the starter engaging.

After a couple of weeks the starter would not alway kick in at all and I'd turn the key back ccw and retry and get the stater to engage. Then I started having to turn the key back and try again and again. Finally, the starter would no longer engage. I thought the solenoid was bad and I stll think it was pretty worn, but after putting the starter on a test bench, it was obvious the starter motor had had it.

I replaced the starter and found out that the starter had been dragging for some time, but I hadn't noticed it because it had gotten worse over a long period of time.

Now, the engine starts in the shortest period of cranking that I can remember, even on a cold start. It fires up in about one second or less of cranking.


By the way, you can get the upper bolt out of the starter from the top with a bent ratchet. At least on the non-turbo.
I've read several discussions of how to get the bolts out of the starter on this forum and I found it quite easy to remove and replace the upper bolt from the top and the lower bolt from the bottom.
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Old 02-21-2003, 04:22 PM
Old Deis
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Getting that starter out with a turbo is real fun. I just used some rebar tie wire and manuvered up and out. Seems I recall it took some time and I remember discovering I had a much larger vocabulary than I thought.
Would have gone much faster with a helper to push the old starter up and out though. Then I could have just pulled it up and around the turbo system.
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  #9  
Old 02-22-2003, 01:01 AM
lrg lrg is offline
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Scott,
I had that exact problem on my '85 300TDT. I was convinced that the starter was about to go bad. Before I spent the $$ on a rebuilt starter (not to mention the PIA to install it) I bought a new battery. Problem cured. It's been 6 months and I've not had a starter delay since. Although my battery seemed fine and always started the car it was about 5 years old. Unless your battery is pretty new and in 100% condition I'd start there.
LRG
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  #10  
Old 02-22-2003, 10:17 AM
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I agree with LRG. As I posted earlier, I had a bad starter, but I had a new battery and had checked all connections, including chassis ground. That is the place to start. If battery checks out o.k. and connections are fine, then start checking solenoid and starter. Also be sure to check connections at solenoid.

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