No crank...no nothing - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bgkast · #1 03-11-2007, 05:43 PM

When I turn the key I get nothing. The warning lights do not dim, and the solenoid does not click. When I release the key from the crank position the GP light goes off and the warning lights brighten, so I think my GPs are turning off and the electronic part of the "ignition" is working (no afterglow on this car).

I gave the starter a few taps with a rubber mallet, with no luck. This has happened once before but rolling the car backward with it in 1st seemed to fix it. Not this time though. I did notice that the car seemed to be cranking over a bit slow once or twice this week but didn't pay much attention to it.

I'm just about to go crawl under it and see if any wires on the starter are loose, then I guess I will swap out the starter with a remanufactured unit. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

kerry · #2 03-11-2007, 05:49 PM

Jump the starter at the junction box on the right inner fender to exclude the ignition switch.

bgkast · #3 03-11-2007, 05:58 PM

This car does not have a box on either inner fender...must have been added in later years.

Friday I had to be push started when it would not crank. I tried cranking it again when I got home, and again yesterday with the same results...no cranking. Just for kicks I tried starting it just now and it cranked just fine.

Stevo · #4 03-11-2007, 06:05 PM

Hows the battery, are you getting 14+ volts into it at fast idle?

toomany MBZ · #5 03-11-2007, 06:20 PM

Go with Steveo's advice, check to see if you're getting volts. Once running other elec. items okay? Headlights? If so, you may be experiencing a neutral start problem. Jiggle gear shift, automatic? Something similar freaked me out, was in neutral, nothing AT ALL, put in park, started.

bgkast · #6 03-11-2007, 06:36 PM

Headlights and all other accessories work fine. This car is a stick so no neutral switch. I'll check the battery and post back.

kip Foss · #7 03-11-2007, 06:39 PM

Jump the car with a known good, hot battery. If it starts the problem might be in your battery connections or the starter/battery cable connection.

Hitting your starter with a rubber mallet won't cause the starter to go. Hitting it with a steel or brass hammer is what you want. It is the shock of steel on steel that works. Rubber doesn't have the same effect.

toomany MBZ · #8 03-11-2007, 06:54 PM

In vehicles of yore, American, a weak battery would give a series of clicks when starter engaged, some power, not enough to start, regardless of tranny type. Still may be a switch problem somewhere, not knowledgeable in this area. Ignition switch itself? Owernership of 240 too long ago to remember about junction box there or not. Good luck.

#9 03-11-2007, 06:56 PM

You could take a rubber hammer and whack the solenoid a few time to see if it unsticks.

bgkast · #10 03-11-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

You could take a rubber hammer and whack the solenoid a few time to see if it unsticks.

Tried that with no change. Sitting overnight is what it needed.

Is there a clutch safety switch on the 4 speeds?

#11 03-11-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

Is there a clutch safety switch on the 4 speeds?

Not on mine.

vstech · #12 03-11-2007, 09:03 PM

try rolling the car a bit and popping it in gear to get the motor to turn a bit. then try the starter. if it's still no go, look real well on the starter side of the motor for any junction block for the wires that go to the starter. it really should be there.
if not there, you will need to get directly to the starter and short the large terminal to the small one and see if it cranks... Make sure it's not still in gear first!!! if nothing there, your starter is dead.
John