Thank you guys!
Just an update:
The WHITE wires were to an aftermarket alarm system. I noticed that the actual MB wires that were spliced were purple and white. Anyone know what these purple ones are powering?

I spliced them back together, removing the white ones. Charged up the battery and VROOM! started right up.

I have a rebuild Bosch starter in my garage that I will take to a shop and have them test both.

Here is an interesting twist...
The symptoms have been that the clock will all of a sudden loose time. Just about 15 minutes overnite. Also the turn signals will blink *faster* when idling and slow down to normal with acceleration or steady speeds. Kinda wierd as I thought it would be the other way around.

Thanks again for your help.

__________________
Current: '91 300TE 4MATIC 317k and climbing...
Former:
'81 300TD Wagon 168K "Tank"
'83 240D 216K 4spd manual "Da Bear" (aka best car ever)

"Never sweat the petty things...
and never pet the sweaty things."