So my girlfriend drives the benz to work the other day, and stops at the gas station to get a drink. She comes out the the car will not start. I go to check it out and nothing. The starter does not even spin. I called MB roadside and a tech came out a few hours later and looked at the car. He said the ignition is bad and needs a new one to the tune of $400 plus parts at the stealership!

After looking on here, great information by the way, I have narrowed it to either the ignition switch, or the ignition assembly(the part between the cylinder and the switch). What is more common to break, the switch or assembly? I have also read that the guage cluster has to come out to get at the ignition switch. Can it be done without removing it?

Thanks in advance!

anyone?

the answer to your question, but i can ask some too.

are you sure the battery is good? did you check for good ground on the starter?

in my experience, the iginition switch is rarely bad. i have changed several in 123 cars. i dont think it has ever solved my problem.

they are a bear, and i think the instrument cluster must come out, which is not hard at all. just remove the kick panel under the dash and push it out from the back. unhook the speedo cable, a large thumbturn, and the electrical connections which are pretty much all different so not easy to confuse.

good luck. i would be sure it isnt something simpler before taking out the ign sw.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

battery is good as well as the ground on starter.

If tranny is auto, then the neutral/park interlock switch is at least as likely as the ignition switch to cause a problem, either by being misaligned or bad contacts. If shifting to neutral, or wiggling the shift lever allows you to start, this is definitely the culprit.

Steve

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'91 MB 190E 2.3
'08 RAV4 Ltd 3.5
'83 Lazy Daze m'home 5.7

I'd go with Steve on the tranny switch over the ignition switch. Also the brushes in the starter may be at the limit. Sometimes you can get e few more starts by smackin it with a hammer.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

I have been jumping the starter right to the battery all week, so the starter and neutral safety switch is fine.

This will show the starter is fine, but you are by-passing the neutral safety switch. You cannot conclude that the switch is fine from this.

I agree.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.