I thought I'd get some opinions.

Recently, after driving for a bit, and thus heating the car up pretty good (easily done in this Texas heat), my '84 300D has trouble when I attempt to restart her. Sometimes she hesitates a few seconds after I turn the key. This is not the case once the car has cooled down. I thought at first it might have been the neutral safety switch, but the same symptoms exist with the car in neutral. The problem is getting progressively worse, and I fear that it is most likely the starter or solenoid.

Can I get an opinion from the mechanics here, who have no doubt seen this problem many times?

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Matt
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1995 E300 Diesel (Die Blau Frau)

Opinions are like @3&*$, butt here goes! STARTER

__________________
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I'm assuming that you are reporting that the starter doesn't alway engage right away when the engine is hot? Not sure if it's related, but Hemant in the Vintage section reported doing some research on his 190SL starter and finds that a failing starter may not work or will work intermittantly when it gets hot. Something about wires expanding when hot??? Might want to look at rebuilding or replacing it.

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Bill Streep
San Antonio
'57 190SL (toy)
'08 S5500 (mine)
'09 CLK550 (wife's)
'06 SLK350 (daughter's)
'11 GLK350 (daughter's)
'03 CLK310 (spare)

bstreep,


It may be the starter or it may not, but you would be well advised to treat it like it was because it sounds like that car may leave you stranded somewhere. I was always lucky with most of my cars that the starter would give me some warning like yours is. It makes it much easier to get it to the shop or parts store. I have changed out starters with less symptoms than that and have never been disapointed. If you are a DIY you may try to change it yourself. I am fairly good at fixing cars and am no way afriad of try most things. If your car is a 84 300d your starter is pain in the @#$ to remove and replace. I tried for three hours with no luck and paid someone to do it. Total cost is about $300 parts and labor. I hear that you want to make sure that it is a bosch rebuild.

diesels are hard cars to start. It is important to have your starting systems in good order.

good luck

bob

Thanks for the replies. I took it in this evening for service. The starter was replaced in June by this particular shop, so it's still under warranty.

__________________
Matt
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1995 E300 Diesel (Die Blau Frau)