This just started on my 80' 300TD. Jumped in the car and drove about 10-15 min and shut her off. Got back in the car and waited for the glow.......then, nothing. No dimming of lights on the dash no clicking no nada. Turned it back off...tried again...nope. Moved the selector knob into neutral (automatic).....zip. Put it back in park with a little gusto....zero. Got out, lifted hood scratched head, got hammer, crawled under..watch it thats HOT..wrapped a little on the starter and ......NOTHING. Hmmmmm...other cars have a fuse, yea lets try that. Opened up fuse panel and wiggled fuses to make sure there was no bad corrosion contact......man its getting hot out here without the a/c on. Wooo Hooo it started.

Day two...Drove two hours parked car and 20 min later tried to start it again and low and behold...nathans, zip, zero,nada....turned the key off and then back on again and then held it there for about 5-8 seconds and she roared to life!

This doesn't happen all the time and it doesn't seem to happen after a long sit. Could something on the starter be overheating? Does this kind of thing happen with a park switch? I went through all of the normal checking of battery terminals and the such but everything seems to be relatively corrosion free and secure. I really don't want to get stuck somewhere, so if you have any suggestions lets have it. Thanks

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1980 300TD, SOLD
1984 300TD, 275K
1999 C230 K Black & Tan
2013 C250 Black
1974 CJ5 Red
You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it. Every challenge could have paradise behind it. -John Popper-

You could have a starter suffering heat soak. If it is getting to the point that if you shut it off for a minute or two and it will not start. Try dumping cold water on the starter. If it starts right up. That would prove it is the starter.

Whack your starter with a big wrench or a hammer. Your solenoid is probably sticking like mine. At least yours didn't do it when you were trying to leave your wedding reception.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

When mine had those identical symptoms, it was due to a loose engine-chassis ground strap. Double check the battery-chassis ground strap also. I would check that before beating on things.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I had the exact same symptoms on the Vanagon about a year ago. This started right after a tranny rebuild, so I knew where to look... Check the ground strap.

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'99 S420, 155k
'91 VW Vanagon GL, 150k
'85 VW Vanagon GL, 120k
'82 VW Westy, aircooled, 165k

Okay, I will check the strap and clean all the contacts to the selenoid. I figured that it was a connection but didn't know where to start. Anyway I'll crawl under today.

__________________
1980 300TD, SOLD
1984 300TD, 275K
1999 C230 K Black & Tan
2013 C250 Black
1974 CJ5 Red
You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it. Every challenge could have paradise behind it. -John Popper-