Ok, so I had my lower rad hose heater plugged in for a few hours this morning because I had a doctor's appointment this morning and wanted to make sure the car started. Unplugged the heater, went to start the car, thought it sounded "funny," so I turned it off and restarted it. Suddenly the engine would barely crank, like the battery just suddenly died. I put my battery on a charger and consulted my husband via IM, who said to tighten the screw on the positive battery terminal. I did so, and then the car started, though it did run unusually noisy for a minute or so, then quieted down to its normal level.

May or may not be related: last week my starter got stuck, but luckily the husband was with me and he undid the terminal, gave something (the solenoid?) a few whacks with a wrench, reconnected the terminal, and the starter problem was gone.

Are these related? Do I need to replace the solenoid, or is this just the result of me killing the battery doing cold starts a lot before I got the hose heater?

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1983 240D, 272K+ miles (odo broke)

It sounds to me that you have a little of both. It takes a good charge even on the big diesel battery to kick start these Mercedes on a cold day. Battery clamps must be clean and tight and no oxidation around the terminal. Secondly, after cranking up a cold engine, makes sure you drive far enough to recharge it. I would figure a 20 minute run basically sufficient, but if in doubt put the charger on it. Usuall the charger has an amp guage. If it readily will take 20/30 amps, it is low. If it only takes 2 or 3 amps it is pretty full. If your hubby has to beat on the solenoid you either have a sticking solenoid or bad connections down there or both. It is a tough place to work, car has to be on ramps for most people, but those cables do need attention now and then.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

I think what happened was that your starter was sucking current but it wasn't actually turning. It is probably related to what happened last week. You will probably need to replace the starter. What happens is that a minimal draw via the small starter wire activates an electro-magnet (solenoid) which moves. At the end of its travel it connects the heavy positive battery wire to the starter motor wire and the starter turns. I think the solenoid activated, the connections were made but the starter motor didn't turn for some reason hence the huge draw on the battery. Maybe a fluke occurrence, probably not.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Send me a PM with your phone#.
I will call as soon as I can Wednesday.
It sounds like there is one of several issues with the starter.

.

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Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
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Technical Quality Auditor.
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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

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I got a refurbished starter just over a year ago. Don't tell me it's going bad already =P

Just got home from work, and thankfully the car did NOT start noisy tonight. Hopefully it'll stay normal when I gotta head back in in the morning.

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1983 240D, 272K+ miles (odo broke)

About to head to work, car is currently warming up, started normal and not noisy. Husband suggested I check the oil when I get home. Hopefully this all was just a fluke, like my NSS deciding to quit on me for just one day in September. We shall see.

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1983 240D, 272K+ miles (odo broke)

Doesn't MB [and most others] use the starter housing to car connection as the ground?
Sometimes those surfaces can be electrically sketchy if they get oxidized or such and rapping it with a hammer often disturbs things enough to allow a start. A thorough buffing of those faces will ensure a solid ground.
I am having a similar issue on my bulldozer.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

Ok, it started noisy again when I got off work, but it only lasted about five seconds then quieted down again. Also acted like it wanted to cut out on me when I was backing out of my parking spot, but didn't. Uneventful otherwise.

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1983 240D, 272K+ miles (odo broke)

Maybe the starter is dragging....stuck solenoid or the ignition key tumbler is sticking and not allowing the starter to disengage.?