Hi, the starter on my 87 300TD needs replacement because sometimes I only hear a click but no turning of the starter. If I try a couple of times it will finally spin.

I think I will get a Bosch Rebuilt starter but I have a question about its warranty.

Does the Bosch Rebuilt starter have a life-time replacement warranty plus a two year road assistance warranty?

Thanks.

i highly doubt that a bosch rebuilt has a lifetiem warranty. i recently purchased one for my 84 300d and i got one year warranty. cheers

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Tom(the duke)
1984 mercedes-benz 300d turbo diesel
1966 Sunbeam Tiger
2001 BMW 540i

bo why are you sure the starter needs replacing? it could be that there is a bad ground or other connection that is loose preventing the starter from energizing.

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

its true bo it could just be the selenoid is stuck. its definately not a bad ground because it is grounded as soon as it is bolted in there is no ground wire. i learned that because i tested mine before i installed it and wondered why it would not work. i imagine it is the same for your mercedes. on my mercedes there is only two wires the power to the selenoid which is the big one and the small one which is the power to ignition switch. check and see if any of these wire are broken i had a wire which is installed on the starter and does not touch the car( it is a industrial wire going from selenoid broken and they are hard to repair) so check all of that and e-mail me with results. I know how much of a pain in the ass installing and problem solving this is so i will help you to my best of ability. tom_williams@canada.com
Cheers and good luck

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Tom(the duke)
1984 mercedes-benz 300d turbo diesel
1966 Sunbeam Tiger
2001 BMW 540i

Thanks you for all the suggestions.

I did check the ground cable. I tool it off and cleaned it and put it back. When I was under the car, all I could see is one bolt so I will have my mechanic to do the R&R. He normally deals with his own parts sources and that is why I asked about the Bosch rebuilt warranty.

The problem is intermittent. It is the original starter so I think some windings are getting tired.

At one time, it took me 8 times (key on and off) to get it started. However, it has never failed to start, just it takes a few tries sometimes.

Bo

same thing happens with mine bo, and cycling the key has never failed to start the car. so i am reluctant to replace the starter.. yet

- oh, i should mention this phenomenon started happening about 4 years ago..

do a search - another member - rick jordan, has also had the same thing happen as you.

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

4 years?

Mine has been like this for 2 years.

What worries me is that a rebuilt starter might be worse than the one I have.

Get a lifetime warranty from pepboys

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N. Hodges
1994 S350
1987 300 SDL (for sale)

Right, Hodges.

I am debating between a local Autozone rebuilt (life-time warranty) vs. a Bosch rebuilt (1 year warranty). I sent an e-mail to those who are familiar with the Bosch rebuilt and learned that it has a one year warranty on exchange.


However, the non Bosch rebuilt might have a more frequent failure rate so there is more labor involved to swap the starters.

Buy the starter, have them (pepboys) put it on and there after the labor is there responsibility too.

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N. Hodges
1994 S350
1987 300 SDL (for sale)

you could be quite correct saying that the 'new' might be worse than the 'old'
this is precisely why i am reluctant to change mine.
you did check all the connections, right?

fwiw, if i was changing mine i would go and get the heavy duty bosch one from fastlane, and forget about starters for 20yrs

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

Hodges:
Thanks for the Pepboy tip. I’ll go and ask the next time I go to Grand Rapids (50 miles away).

84300DT:
I read in this forum that some one has to use the warranty on the Bosch rebult.

For now, the old starter stays. If something does happen, I do have the Gold AAA.

Then I suggest that you put a heavy object (read hammer) in your car that you can use to give the starter a couple of hard raps the next time it won't start. This has saved many a trip. The starters collect a fine dust inside them that causes them to fail. The raps seem to dislodge some of it an makes the starter work for a few times afterwards. BTDT.

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N. Hodges
1994 S350
1987 300 SDL (for sale)

Thanks, Hodges.

I have a 2' steel pipe (for removing lugbolts) in the wagon. I think it can be used for the purpose you stated.