Sarting problems w/ 300TD

I fear for my starter. Or I guess my wallet. 5 months ago I bought a 1985 300TD with 360,000miles. Shortly after that, on a long, highway trip, I stopped at a McDonnalds, and the car didn't want to restart. No sound or turnover, just dead. After calling the 800 line, and "jiggling the wire harness", and turning the key quckly on and off 75 times or so, it started. The problem has never repeated itself. But now there is something new. Tried to start it the other day and got an unpleasent ckkkeeckk sound. and no start. worried some, tried again, same sound. worried more, played with shifter, in and out of park, then tried again and it started. This has happend about 3 more times. Sometimes it starts without a fuss, but I'm avoiding driving it. I don't have a mechanic I trust here yet, so I really need some advice. Such as, what are the possibilities, what should I check ( or rather a mechanic, since I don't know squat) and if it is the starter, what is a fair price for the part and labor. And where can I get a rebuilt one. This new and clueless Benz owner greatly appreciates your help, as well as any shop recommendations for upstate NY. Way upstate.

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Jeff
300TD 365,000m

quote:

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Originally posted by Jeff300TD:

I fear for my starter. Or I guess my wallet. 5 months ago I bought a 1985 300TD with 360,000miles. Shortly after that, on a long, highway trip, I stopped at a McDonnalds, and the car didn't want to restart. No sound or turnover, just dead. After calling the 800 line, and "jiggling the wire harness", and turning the key quckly on and off 75 times or so, it started. The problem has never repeated itself. But now there is something new. Tried to start it the other day and got an unpleasent ckkkeeckk sound. and no start. worried some, tried again, same sound. worried more, played with shifter, in and out of park, then tried again and it started. This has happend about 3 more times. Sometimes it starts without a fuss, but I'm avoiding driving it. I don't have a mechanic I trust here yet, so I really need some advice. Such as, what are the possibilities, what should I check ( or rather a mechanic, since I don't know squat) and if it is the starter, what is a fair price for the part and labor. And where can I get a rebuilt one. This new and clueless Benz owner greatly appreciates your help, as well as any shop recommendations for upstate NY. Way upstate.

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The starter motor probably has a bendix drive which is a mechanism when activated spins the starter motor itself. If it is worn, and at your milage it porbably is, it will just click as it tries to engage and spin the motor shaft. I think you should go to a Mercedes shop, have them check the starter motor and relays and either a new unit, or a mercedes warrented rebuilt unit. The clicking sound makes it a mechanical problem, but when there is absolutely no sound it may be electrical. Good luck.

I just picked up a rebuilt Bosch starter for my 1977 450SEL 6.9. $88.00 + 20.00 core charge from Checker Auto Parts. They have them on www.wrenchhead.com for $125.00.

I found these prices after being quoted $700.00 for the starter from my mechanic and $450 - $600.00 from various Mercedes part specialists.

[poptest]

Try checking these out, and in this order:

1) Battery cables, (+ & -), grounds and hots, all cable connections to starter solenoid.

2) Check your transmission's park & neutral start enable switch.

3) Check your starter's solenoid.

Same thing happened to me, I found the problem in a loose terminal screw on the starter solenoid. I replaced the solenoid. It's now oooookay!!!!

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Jake

First a question... Do you have a Voltmeter? Can you get a Voltmeter? Good.
When the car will not start, check for power to the solenoid (term # 50) while someone holds the key in the start position. You can even check it on the terminal strip under the hood (passenger side, black plastic piece with 3 wires in it) so you don't have to lay under the car.
If you have power (10.5 Volts or more) to the solenoid, and it won't start, you know it's the starter. If you don't have power, you know that the problem is either the neutral safety switch or related wiring in the circuit.
Regards,
Randy D.

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W.R.Durrance
ASE Master Tech
Mercedes Tech 21 Years
68 250SE
68 SAAB 96 Ice Racer
69 300SEL 6.3
70 300SEL 3.5
81 300TDT
W.R.Durrance Engineering

Hi guys, thanks for your help so far. I wanted to clarify the sound it makes, as I assume this might eliminate certain possible electric a problems. The sound is sort of a fast highish pitched grinding type. sort of. Anyway, it's not a click, and continues for as long as I hold the key in the start position. Does this rule out certain electrical possibilities and point to other, more expensive repairs? I wont be doing the repairs myself, but since I don't know any mechanics in the area, I want to go in knowing a thing or two. Also can anyone else vouch for or against buying a remanufactured Bosch starter from wrenchhead.com for $130. Is that to cheap to trust? Thanks again.

quote:

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Originally posted by Jeff300TD:

I fear for my starter. Or I guess my wallet. 5 months ago I bought a 1985 300TD with 360,000miles. Shortly after that, on a long, highway trip, I stopped at a McDonnalds, and the car didn't want to restart. No sound or turnover, just dead. After calling the 800 line, and "jiggling the wire harness", and turning the key quckly on and off 75 times or so, it started. The problem has never repeated itself. But now there is something new. Tried to start it the other day and got an unpleasent ckkkeeckk sound. and no start. worried some, tried again, same sound. worried more, played with shifter, in and out of park, then tried again and it started. This has happend about 3 more times. Sometimes it starts without a fuss, but I'm avoiding driving it. I don't have a mechanic I trust here yet, so I really need some advice. Such as, what are the possibilities, what should I check ( or rather a mechanic, since I don't know squat) and if it is the starter, what is a fair price for the part and labor. And where can I get a rebuilt one. This new and clueless Benz owner greatly appreciates your help, as well as any shop recommendations for upstate NY. Way upstate.

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