I don't want to replace my starter! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Deanna · #1 10-07-2007, 03:24 PM

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!

pawoSD · #2 10-07-2007, 03:29 PM

Nah, replacing a starter is exciting!

I just did it on our '83 300D.....only took about 10-11 hours! We used an autozone rebuild, and it works excellent. $99 out the door and they had it in 1.5 days. It has new brushes, bearings, new solenoid, and was properly greased and looks great. We had him run it at the store to prove it was a good one, and it ran smooth and powerful. Cranks the engine over 2x as fast as the old one! (which had dead spots and you had to beat on it half the time to get it to work)

xafman · #3 10-07-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Nah, replacing a starter is exciting!

I just did it on our '83 300D.....only took about 10-11 hours! We used an autozone rebuild, and it works excellent. $99 out the door and they had it in 1.5 days. It has new brushes, bearings, new solenoid, and was properly greased and looks great. We had him run it at the store to prove it was a good one, and it ran smooth and powerful. Cranks the engine over 2x as fast as the old one! (which had dead spots and you had to beat on it half the time to get it to work)

I just last month had to replace my starter and am too old to do my own
work of that type. Had my inde replace it and furnish a rebuild starter.
The cost was just over $400, but it starts now. The wagon is excellent,
but I really need to sell it.

Deanna · #4 10-07-2007, 08:58 PM

Thanks guys...I'm feeling better about replacing the starter, if I need to.

Also, send me a private message, you with the station wagon, and include a picture if you have one. I just might have a buyer for you.

Get this: The wires running to the alternator (and also connecting to the starter...hmmm) have been split and a fuse run between each of the two major wires. Why the hell would there be a fuse in there. According to my wiring diagram, the alternator doesn't have a fuse. I'm considering taking out the fuses (as the wires to one have almost completely split off) and connecting the wires back together without the fuses in the middle. Any good reason I shouldn't do this???

Thanks, D

Mustang_man298 · #5 10-08-2007, 12:02 AM

The car came factory properly fused, so long as nobody has altered the actual wiring from it's origional form, it shouldn't hurt. The question is, why were they put there to begin with?...was it melting wires or were they just trying to isolate a problem? Of the heavy wires, one should be for the charge going back to the battery, and the other I believe is the main feed to the ignition switch. The battery drain could also be bad diodes inside your alternator.

FYI I too have an 82.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deanna

I'm considering taking out the fuses (as the wires to one have almost completely split off) and connecting the wires back together without the fuses in the middle. Any good reason I shouldn't do this???

Thanks, D

retx · #6 10-08-2007, 10:29 AM

first, an easy check for the draining battery issues is a simple fuse check. place a multimeter on the battery and note the draw, then pull one fuse at a time and recheck the draw. If there is an open circuit thats causing the battery to drain, then this may show you which circuit it is.

JimmyL · #7 10-07-2007, 03:31 PM

Changing the starter on a 240D is simple, and can be done from above.
My guess is you will change it and still have problems. That wiring sounds scary.....

barry123400 · #8 10-07-2007, 04:05 PM

Sounds a lot easier to change out than the five cylinder. If you can access the bolts in the clear from above it is probably no worse than the average starter. Make sure your allen key bit fits well though as sometimes the top bolt is really tight. Also make sure the allen bolts are cleaned ouit and that you bottom in them. Even if it rounded out though you could probably grind off the head of the bolt. Or saw it off.
I have never changed a 240d starter but have had the enjoyment of the 300d that you have to pretty well access along the top of the transmission for the top bolt. It was harder but once the top bolt broke loose not bad at all.

toomany MBZ · #9 10-07-2007, 04:06 PM

I agree with JimmyL, don't like that wiring hack job, could be part of your problem. If you can, get a correct wiring harness, and install properly, or make sure there is no short. On a non turbo engine, the starter should be relatively easy. I had a new one installed in the SD, $65, and a couple of hours. Worked on from underneath, has to use a breaker bar and pipe extension. When I replaced the V belts on that car, I bent a ratchet wrench loosening one of the alt bolts.

omegabenz · #10 11-26-2007, 12:15 AM

I think the return spring for retracting the gear is getting sticky.

charmalu · #11 12-02-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegabenz

I think the return spring for retracting the gear is getting sticky.

I had a Mazda 626 where the starter was sticking, took it out, gave
it a shot of WD-40. ran good for the next 3 yrs.

don`t shoot me, this is before I learned of the joys of working on old
Mercedes. and belonging to a group of devoted warshipers of the Star.

And the joys of my first starter replacement. trying to install a federal
starter on my 85 Ca. no mater how hard I tried, it would not go

.
that was a learning curve.

Charlie

omegabenz · #12 12-24-2007, 08:58 PM

My dad helped me replace the starter today. We could barely get the bolts out even with the MB tool 1/2" drive. They were just really stuck. It took a little while.

We got side tracked. I wanted to take the downpipe out anyway and weld in a bung fitting for the pyrometer (EGT-sender) so we did that and some detailing.

Rebuilt starter is definately NICE! No more worries when on long trips!

Pictures to follow.

chasinthesun · #13 12-25-2007, 12:24 PM

I found that doing the 300d starters, its best to have an air ratchet swivel ,their heavier duty and dont have as much swivel angle play,when tring to apply muscle to that upper starter bolt youll understand the importance of less swivel action is much better.The angle of getting at the upper stater bolt is a bit location locked ,you will need an extension of about 3 ft ,not to mention the car as high as you can get it do to the wrenching .Best to have the passenger side jacked as high as you dare then block your wheels and pull the e - brake, not to mention a couple of jack stands. You will be at the back of the trannie when your going after that upper starter bolt with the 3 ft extension.Its not so bad when youve got this task under your belt a couple of times ,but for first timers on doing it ,it might be best to let a mechanic do it on a lift.As far as a 240d ,it sounds alot easier.

omegabenz · #14 12-25-2007, 02:39 PM

My dad and I have a car lift, so it wasnt too bad. The air ratchet is a good idea. Did you use a 1/2 in drive air ratchet? Now its done, I can wait 5 years before I have to deal with it again.