Hi All,

Another post here. Again I have a 1970 220, 4 cylinder gas in good strong running condition. Occasionally, I have a strange starting issue. I'll turn the key and nothing will happen. Just dead silence, I'll get the generator light on the dash showing that the key is turned and there is at least some power to the system, but the starter doesn't respond at all. I might turn the key once or twice and then it will fire right up as usual.

So I'm wondering, what could this be? The batter/ground terminals seem fine. So should I be worried that the starter is going? Or perhaps the ignition switch? Any way to troubleshoot this or do I just have to wait for it to die on me for good?

The car is a recent acquisition, so I'm not well-acquainted with it yet. The most details the better. Thank you!

The surest way to test is to connect a wire to the start terminal and wire it to a test light or noise making device (buzzer, horn, etc). If the device doesn't activate when the no-start condition occurs then you know it;s either the electrical portion of the switch or the ignition barrel assembly itself. Just got through changing out the barrel on my '72 is why I mentioned it.

Does it seem to have spring resistance when you turn to "start" or is it a dead, floppy feel?

__________________
“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

I have this same exact issue. Doesn't happen all the time, and sometimes if I hold the key there for a second it will turn over. I'm trying to figure out if it has something to do with a low battery, but that might be going down the wrong path.

__________________
Sold, but not forgotten:
1964 Ford F-100 "Maybelline" miss her
1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero
2 - 60's Econoline Scooby vans
1965 Plymouth Belvedere II, also missed
Currently:
1971 220
1980 Honda CR250
1973 Yamaha DT-250
2003 SV-650
2000 Honda Odyssey

and waaay too many motorcycles to list here

the great thinng about these old cars is we can try "old car guys" solutions
next time you have a no start :
try wacking the starter with a screwdriver or pipe and see if she starts that would indicate a flat spot on the starter /solinoid issue.
If that does not work my guess is the switch , how worn is your key?

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

Now, now Ron, let's not send these guys into the "expert repair solutions" right off the bat. We want them to get their hands dirty and to understand their cars before we tell them our secrets.

__________________
“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

Haha, Those last two posts have me laughing. The indicator light sounds like a nice idea--maybe even an nice little permanent addition if it's done neatly.

I think there is spring resistance when I turn the key. But the key DOES remain in the ON position after I turn it and nothing happens. So even though there is no response from the starter the key may be sitting in the ignition switch in the ON position.

The worn key is a good suggestion--this one is a little more worn than others, something that didn't cross my mind. I'll use a newer key and see if the issue doesn't occur again.

Ron, are you suggesting leaving the key in the ON position in one of the instances, and they knocking the starter to see if she starts? This is so simple it's kind of brilliant, and would definitely tell me if it's the starter.

Cheers

The key will remain in the "on" position. It's supposed to. "Start" is another animal. Once you've turned it to the start position and released you need to completely turn the key to "Off" to re-engage the "start" circuit so turning it on and whacking at the starter will do no good.

You could turn the key to the "start" position and have some one else whack on the starter but where's the fun in that?

Here's a quick tip. Before you even think about looking at the ignition switch plug, disconnect the battery. I swear, all I did was give mine the slightest wiggle and it came apart accompanied by fireworks, flames and smoke. I didn't know I could still move that fast!

__________________
“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

Thanks Mike, for clarifying the starting whacking technique. That makes sense. You're right it's not so fun.

I will play around with the battery terminals, get some dialectic grease on everything and see what happens.

I can't be sure (this has only happened a few times) but it may occur more often when the car has been warmed up and driven that day. Which I suppose would indicate the starter. But like I said, it's happened so little I can't be sure.

"secret stuff" haha
on the starter - someone wacks, while someone trys to turn it over ..

Mike ideas do seem more fun

BTW - my 220 may be the most documented on the web - everthing you ever wanted to know can be found in these many posts

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/134622-1971-220-a.html

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

I just had this happen and I think there may be something to the "only happens when the car is hot" I don't recall it happening in the morning when I first crank it over.

The whacking is a great idea, I hadn't thought of that. The worn key could be it also as I my key comes right out even when the engine is running. Speaking of keys, I only have one. Can they be ordered or do I have to go to a locksmith?

Coastal: Is your car hard to start when it's hot, turns over and over before it fires up?

__________________
Sold, but not forgotten:
1964 Ford F-100 "Maybelline" miss her
1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero
2 - 60's Econoline Scooby vans
1965 Plymouth Belvedere II, also missed
Currently:
1971 220
1980 Honda CR250
1973 Yamaha DT-250
2003 SV-650
2000 Honda Odyssey

and waaay too many motorcycles to list here

Car fires right up when hot. Really, it starts beautifully except when not at all...

But I have an MSD 6A ignition... Not sure how this would play into my troubleshooting, but I have a feeling the MSD has nothing to do with my starting issues.

Did you ever get this tracked down?

__________________
Sold, but not forgotten:
1964 Ford F-100 "Maybelline" miss her
1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero
2 - 60's Econoline Scooby vans
1965 Plymouth Belvedere II, also missed
Currently:
1971 220
1980 Honda CR250
1973 Yamaha DT-250
2003 SV-650
2000 Honda Odyssey

and waaay too many motorcycles to list here

No I sure didn't. It happened to me again the other day, I drove the car about 30 minutes, turned it off, went back 30 minutes and the same mysterious issue. Turned the key a few times, nothing. Turned it again, and it fired right up.

I haven't been with anyone so I can experiment with "whacking" the starter with the key held in position.

I'm beginning to think it must be the starter... Surely the ignition cylinder doesn't react to the engine being warm... Battery is strong, connections seem fine, can't explain it.

Are you having the same issues crojack?

Should have read back in the thread, or cease forgetting things in the first place. I see you do have this issue, crojack.

Any luck on your end?

Its sounding like the coil is going out. Out maybe the MSD ignition? But, are you getting a "click" when you turn the key? If not, it could be the solenoid which is what I would check first.

Miguel