Help, we are in the middle of nowhere (Primm Nevada) and the starter just makes a click. Mercedes roadside assistance says it is the starter. Please tell me how much I should have to pay for the part and how to install it.
Thank you in advance.

Very much could be battery - Turn your headlights on full and watch them when you try to start it. If they dim a lot, battery's the cause.

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190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

Battery is strong, the starter is definately at fault. I have never changed the starter and wonder if this is a possibe as a roadside repair.

Once you are "sure" that it is the starter the job is rather simple. A lift would definitely help.

If the emergency isn't money, then get a gas station to put it on for you.

If you are right about it being the starter, you might get another start out of it by smacking the body of the starter with a hammer while another is holding the key to the start position. If you are full of gas you should be able to get to civilization before you need to shut it off.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Believe it or not there are three gas staions here but no garage in any of them. I would have to have the car towed to Las Vegas (40 miles) The MB Roadside tried whacking the started but no luck. Do I have to drop the cross member? can this repair be acomplished using the jack?

Thank you

I almost never do such repairs (at least not in the last 20 years), so I can't give you play by play. I think the 420 has the starter in the most advantageous spot, but you will have to get a long way under the car and possibly go over the trans to get to the top bolt.

None of this should be done on a jack!!! I swear it wouldn't have stopped me in my formative years. I replaced the differential in the parking lot behind a Miami Beach Hotel on my 56 Chevy with the 350hp 327 in about 1968. Did another on a Sunday with the luxury of a lift rented from a gas station in Haines City. It broke on my way back to school in Gainesville 1969. Did about 20 or more differentials as they wouldn't take the power.

It wouldn't have stopped me as I would have figured some safe way of getting the car off the ground. Now being older and lazier I'd get it towed.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

It maybe possible to tow-start your car. I think 91 was the year MB discontinued secondary pump in 722.3 transmission, but maybe you're lucky to have one.

When stranded in Primm NV . . . you pay WHATEVER you have to get out of Primm NV ! ! !

Let's GET REAL folks . . . .

You're stranded out in the middle of NOWHERE . . .

Flip out your Visa and have it towed and replaced by someone who is equipped to do so . . . You'll have forgotten all about it in a month or so . . .

Since you're stuck in Primm (Stateline to those who've been around a while), just take advantage of the MB Roadside assistance tow, Get towed to Las Vegas and have the dealer install the starter. I believe if the repair is done at an MB dealership then the tow is free. I'd call the roadside assistance again and ask about that.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Not only an extension. As I just put one in my '89 420 SEL, I used a 10 mm allen socket. And a swivel. And a BIG 1/2 inch drive breaker bar. These bolts are self-tightening, seems like. They were just out two years ago for another reason and I know I didn't tighten them that much.

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Gregga
'89 420 SEL "Moby Dick"
'30 Ford Coupe
'31 Ford Slant Windshield Town Sedan
'33 Ford Pickup
'34 Ford Pickup
'01 Honda Passport