Recently, I have been having starter problems on my '84 300SD. After replacing the starter 1.5 years ago, my starter has gone out again. I replaced it with a "Delco-Remy Bosch-type" due to being in a remote location and it lasted less than 6 hours! There is not even a click of the solenoid.

I have done a search and there has been the question of heat brought up. This occurred in 90+ degree heat. However, I have noticed this engine does not generate a lot of heat.

Also, the glow plug system operated fine initially after installing the starter. It gave strange symptoms after the starter failure however.

After checking things with a meter, I have a couple of questions. I noticed at the solenoid the reading is 5v in run then 12v at start, with the glow plug relay connected. With the gp relay disconnected, readings of 12v in run and 13v at start.

Has anyone heard of a glow plug relay causing shorting problems with the starter? Do I need additional heat protection for the starter?

Or, hopefully, it was a v-e-r-y premature failure for a "Delco-Remy, Bosch-type" starter.

Thanks in advance for your responses on this.

Check your grounding, in fact recheck all your connections to starter carefully, especially the terminal connections on the body below the turbo that lead to the starter. Make sure your battery is good too. The glow plug system draws a lot of current, so if there is even a little resistance in the circuit to the starter solenoid you will see a voltage drop there. Look carefully at where the wires are crimped to the terminal lugs. I had really bad corrosion on mine, it's a wonder it worked at all! What's the resistance across the starter solenoid?

Pete,

I appreciate your help!

I ended up being a grounding strap problem. The strap was tight to the exhaust bracket but the bracket itself was very loose. After tightening the bracket, it also "cured" a couple of other problems. I was also having problems with the temp. and oil pressure guages being intermittent.

This problem, most likely, was from the fact that the engine shocks were missing and the rear transmission mount was shot when I bought the car.

This car has taken a lot of work to bring things back to good condition but it has been worth it. Now she is beginning to purr!
350K+ miles and still cruisin every day!