'77 450SL - Starter Solenoid

[ncgirl05]

Hi All,

With the weather turning nice I thought I'd get my 450SL ready for driving. After charging the battery up overnight, I get in and attempt to start it. Nothing, nada, total lack of startage. The door buzzes cause it's open, the radio starts up because it's turned on, the gauges react to show I have gas, but that is the extent of it. My boyfriend believes it is most likely the starter solenoid - however, we have no idea where this part is located....

Can one of you guys help me out and give me the location? Sorry if this is a dunce question - this is not a problem I've had in the past.

Thanks for the help!

Leigh Anne

[rowdie]

Solenoid is mounted to the starter. Can't remove it without removing starter. Starter removal and installation is a PITA on the 450SL.

I kind of doubt it is the solenoid because when they quit you can usually here a noise even if they do not engage the starter.

Could be the ignition switch, a fuse or relay. Need to check the wiring diagram for your year. Good luck.

[Walrus]

Originally Posted by ncgirl05

Hi All,

With the weather turning nice I thought I'd get my 450SL ready for driving. After charging the battery up overnight, I get in and attempt to start it. Nothing, nada, total lack of startage. The door buzzes cause it's open, the radio starts up because it's turned on, the gauges react to show I have gas, but that is the extent of it. My boyfriend believes it is most likely the starter solenoid - however, we have no idea where this part is located....

Can one of you guys help me out and give me the location? Sorry if this is a dunce question - this is not a problem I've had in the past.

Thanks for the help!

Leigh Anne

Automatic tranny? Lock-out switch. Try with shifter in neutral, and cycle gear shifter thru all gears several times, then try again.

Manual tranny? Clutch safety switch...

[ncgirl05]

I will try this as soon as I get home today - THANKS!!!!

Leigh Anne

[abiby]

You might also confirm the battery is fully charged.

[mbboy]

You could also try putting a piece of wood next to the starter and hitting it with a hammer, as sometimes that will free a stuck starter up until you can replace it.

[sjefke]

If you don't hear any click whatsoever when you put the car on contact, you have a stuck/non-working solenoid. It may not work because it gets no power (12V). That can be caused by a) battery has no power, b) one or more cable connectors between battery and starter solenoid are corroded or broken, c) wire loose/broken. Sounds like you battery has power because lights come on. A solenoid does not need much power to "click". If you hear a click and the dash lights dim a bit, then the solenoid works and starter is drawing current from the battery, but is not turning for some reason. If no click, check the the connectors for corrosion first and whether there is 12V on the solenoid when you attempt to start. If no 12V, line from battery or contact switch is bad. If 12V, then solenoid is bad.

If the car has sat for a winter, it could just be a bad contact. The trouble is finding it...

Good luck,

Bert

[ncgirl05]

Well, it turned out that it WAS the lock-out switch. WHEW. Cheapest fix I've had in 8 years of ownership. Also the first time that has happened in 8 years of ownership. Now I am all the wiser...except now I need to figure out why white smoke is pouring out of the area around the spark plugs on the driver's side...

Leigh Anne

[Walrus]

Originally Posted by ncgirl05

Well, it turned out that it WAS the lock-out switch. WHEW. Cheapest fix I've had in 8 years of ownership. Also the first time that has happened in 8 years of ownership. Now I am all the wiser...except now I need to figure out why white smoke is pouring out of the area around the spark plugs on the driver's side...

Leigh Anne

Congrats on the lockout switch. Amazing how many folk will jump to solenoid or other on these cars... Rule of thumb, start with the simplest, then move onward from there.

On the smoke, you mentioned car had been sitting for a spell. Hopefully, it is oil that has leaked down onto the exhaust. May clear up a bit, but I suspect valve cover leaking or such. Why don't you start a new thread with an appropriate description in the title... Pictures are always welcome.
Another forum which can expose you to some fairly smart 107 owners is www.benzworld.org/forums. The 107 forum there, and this one are two very good resources of info... and empathy!