A friend of mine and I just got a 82 240d up and running, after it had been sitting in his driveway for over a year. It started great, ran great...we gave it a diesel purge and were up and running.

Course, fairy tales rarely come true with an old benz that's been sitting. The starter had a strange whining sound, which has been drawing out slower and slower. Until today, when nothing (not even a click of the solenoid) happened. The battery I have in there was just charged up completely.

Side note: The car has been draining it's batteries as well. The wiring to the alternator is somewhat suspect with lots of taping, and the wires are resting on the motor mounts. However, I'm assuming this is a separate problem (???)

The question: Dammit, do I have to replace the starter? Is there anything else I need to do to be certain it's toast? It sounds like a hell of a job.

Thanks!

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1976 300D 217k...an old car needin some love. (GONE OFF TO RUSTY CAR HEAVEN)

1982 240D probably something like 190,000 miles...was Old Yeller, but I changed the name to Buttercup