I have an 84-300d that has 255K and the car only starts when I bang on the starter with a bar. Is it the starter or the connections? Can I get to the wiring from below (to clean them), if the car is on stands? Or, could it be something else? I have cleaned the posts and the main ground. I get NO sound from the starter or solenoid until it engages and then it starts right up. The starter was replaced by the previous owner about 3 years ago.

Any help is always appreciated,

Don

Get a multi meter and check the power.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Sounds like a sticking solenoid.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Sounds like rebuilt starter time. Pita of a job on the 617, have fun!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I can give you a fix that we used on the old 6 volt VWs. I have used the same on my 77 240D and a 79 300sd. You use a 12 volt Ford starter relay to switch the heavy current load instead of your key switch. The key switch engages the Ford starter relay and it in turn connects the starter solenoid on the cars starter. It is easy and inexpensive. PM me and I will talk to you further on ways to ck out the starter before you go the expensive route replacing the starter.
Chris

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Heck Chris, I bet there are several of us out here who would like this procedure. I fight a sticky solenoid when the weather drops below 50. Below freezing it won't hardly work. ( not that that will be a problem for 6 months at least)

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

JimmyL, I just don't want some guys that don't know what they are doing shooting down the fix. I am 53 yrs old with 35 yrs on cars (old Porsches VWs MBZs). The're some guys on this site that like to FLAME people.

What happens to alot of cars is that as the car ages, switches wear, wiring gets old, they will have voltage loss to the starter on the solenoid side. This problem was MUCH more prevalent on old 6 volt cars but I have repaired alot of German 12 volt cars with this relay fix. You can change a starter out and the problem might go away for awhile but it will rear its ugly little head at the worst time.

I will come up with the list and post it.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.