300 SDL Remote starter relay-- anybody do this? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #1 06-04-2009, 01:04 PM

Well I think I have narrowed down my no start to the starter relay (solenoid) on the starter motor. When I jumped it with a remote starter button, all I got was the glow plug relay clicking the first ten or so times I tried it. Then all of a sudden the motor spun and engaged. Now I have a problem. I do not have time to order a new starter and install it before I have to leave for DC. What I was thinking is replacing the relay with a remote mounted relay (like a Jeep or Ford relay) and then just wiring the relay to the switched pole on the starter relay on the starter. Can this work, or am I stuck ordering another Bosch motor and not taking the car tomorrow?

Thanks a lot!!!

Brian Carlton · #2 06-04-2009, 01:15 PM

I feel like this is deja-vu all over again............

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=2215222&postcount=2

LUVMBDiesels · #3 06-04-2009, 01:16 PM

I was just checking...

I hate crawling under the car to replace the starter AGAIN...

Brian Carlton · #4 06-04-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

I was just checking...

I hate crawling under the car to replace the starter AGAIN...

..........hoping for a better answer...........???

The only possible caveat is that you've got the wrong screw terminal or a bad connection to the screw terminal on the solenoid.

ah-kay · #5 06-04-2009, 01:41 PM

There are 2 ways to quick fix your problem:

1) A lot of the time it is the contact between the solenoid and the Starter motor. It is a BIG piece of copper jumping the 12V to the Starter when the solenoid is energized. It is pitted and does not make good contact. I have opened the solenoid before and fix it. You can fix it by a) turn over the copper to the other 'good' side, b) add copper to it by soldering another small piece of coper to it. I have fixed 2 starter motors in this manner. You can check whether it is the copper contact by hooking a meter to the big terminal of the starter to see whether you have 12V when you crank. Sometimes you will get 12V but there may be not enough current to turn the starter as the contact is pitted.

2) You can use a proxy starter as a quick fix if the solenoid is good but the starter motor may be bad. Connect the proxy starter's small terminal to the small terminal of the real starter. Connect the proxy starter's big terminal to the big terminal of the real starter. Connect the proxy starter casing to ground, a small wire will do. Then crank the car, the proxy starter solenoid will give a juicy 12V to the real motor, the real starter solenoid will engage the real starter. The real starter will crank the engine. The proxy starter will do nothing. I have never tried before but it should work. As clear as mud?

Third way is to replace the Starter Motor.

Good luck with your car/trip/whatever.