350SD starter failure? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Blevinsax · #1 07-07-2008, 01:55 AM

Hello all!

I haven't been around much since my new little one was born just over a month ago, but I'm back and need some help...

Recently my 350SD has been acting up when I try to start it. It spins, but does not catch to start. I try a few times and eventually it catches, starts, and runs fine. This morning was particularly bad - I put it in neutral and tried, then back in park and finally it started. Does this sound like a bad starter? (This happened years ago with my Plymouth Voyager and that's what it was.) I am planning to take it to the shop this week, but I would like to have an idea before I go in!

This morning was also a bit unusual... I had the car smogged on July 3rd - they put it on the dyno (sp?) and it sits a spins up to about 40 mph. It ran fine yesterday, but when I tried to start it this morning it spun a few times (bad starter?), then the battery seemed dead. I had not left any electrical accessories on and once it got through the spinning (bad starter?) started up and ran fine. After I took it out for a drive it seems to be fine - it started this evening (except for a few initial non-catching spins) without a problem. The battery is also relatively new, so that should not be a problem. Any thoughts?

Okay - and now to the neat stuff... here are a couple new pics of my little girl at about one month old. The second on is me and her - I play a little bamboo flute, so I have been playing it for her - she seems to like it!

Oh yeah, almost forgot... check this out! At the time, this was the highest temp I had ever seen on my outside thermometer (not the temp gauge, although it is admittedly high, too.) Since this 124F reading earlier last week, I have actually seen 127F while sitting in traffic here in Las Vegas!!! This heat is absolutely nuts!!

DeliveryValve · #2 07-07-2008, 10:59 AM

Sounds like a starter to me. The bendix mechanism is going out inside the starter.

BTW - I am sure you know this but keep your baby away from that heat! They don't do too well in heat like that for more then 10 minutes! She sure is beautiful, enjoy every moment of her!

compu_85 · #3 07-07-2008, 12:46 PM

You sure your radiator fan clutch is workin right?

SW · #4 07-07-2008, 12:49 PM

Get your aux fans checked out ASAP. The switch that controls them might be bad. Are you running the AC when it's over heating?

TMAllison · #5 07-07-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SW

Are you running the AC when it's over heating?

He stated 124 ambient temp as reported by cars sensor when photo was taken. Was prob at least 110f so I suspect the AC was on.......

Coolant temp at 105C and at 0mph as shown in the photo means it was idling. Seems like everything is working to me.

Hatterasguy · #6 07-07-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SW

Get your aux fans checked out ASAP. The switch that controls them might be bad. Are you running the AC when it's over heating?

Thats not overheating, 105C is where it should be considering it was idling at that temp with the AC on.

Sounds like the starter bendix is failing, get a good Bosch rebuild. On the 603's its a pretty simple part to change.

Nice kid! Make sure to drive her around in the MB so she gets started on the right foot!

Blevinsax · #7 07-08-2008, 01:22 AM

Thanks for the kind words about my daughter - she is super-cute and we are thrilled to have her... even though she keeps us up at night quite a bit! She grew 2 inches her first month and gained about 1.5 pounds, so we are glad she is progressing nicely! And naturally, she rides in the Benz all the time - she came home from the hospital in it!

I am also glad to hear that the starter is not a huge deal on these cars. Of course I will have to have the work done since this is really not the kind of work I can do myself. What should I expect to pay to have the starter replaced? I checked here at MercedesShop and it is only about $222 for the remanufactured part - how much labor would be involved in the replacement?

As for the temps - you are correct that I was idling in traffic, so I believe the aux fans are operational. I will, however, have my mechanic check them when I take it in for the starter. I definitely do not want this car to overheat!

TMAllison · #8 07-08-2008, 01:47 AM

Your daughter is cute. There is nothing quite like a daughter. Mines 10 now and i remember every second. Play for her often, is good for you, mom (time off) and for her little brain. Don't forget Ludwig while in the car also.

You referenced the starter cost when the consensus is you may only need the starter solenoid......I'm guessing it would take an hour to R&R one way or the other. but may be wrong as I don't not know your engine.

SW · #9 07-08-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blevinsax

As for the temps - you are correct that I was idling in traffic, so I believe the aux fans are operational. I will, however, have my mechanic check them when I take it in for the starter. I definitely do not want this car to overheat!

My temp guage was doing the same thing in my '92 with the ac on. If I had the ac off, the temp would not go over the 80 C mark. I idle in houston traffic alot. Therefore, I got concerned to see the needle climb past the 100 mark. My mechanic said the low speed fan circuit was not working properly and wound up replacing a switch on the drier which required a recharge of the system. Now it never goes above the 100 mark, idling, cruising, ac on, whatever. My car has a 134a system with dual fans up front. I'm not sure how it is on your SDL.

Hatterasguy · #10 07-08-2008, 06:52 PM

I have never paid a shop to do anything, but book time can't be more than an hour or two.

Blevinsax · #11 07-10-2008, 02:38 AM

Is there a way that a failing starter might drain the battery? Twice recently my 350SD had a mysteriously dead battery... While driving I noticed the CCU fan stuttered a few times, then when I reached my destination and stopped the car, it would not restart - the battery was completely dead. That happened overnight while the car was parked in the garage and then again yesterday. I took it to my mechanic and he tested the alternator (less than 1 year old) and it was fine, then he tested the battery (also less than 1 year old) and it also was fine. Any ideas what might be draining the battery? How do I go about finding the source of the drain?