I've been the owner of a mercedes turbo diesel for almost a year now and have had no problems until recently. it had been driving perfectly fine since i bought it and one day after i brought it home, i tried starting it up again and nothing happens. wen i turn the key all the way over it jus makes a clicking noise and doesnt turn over the engine or anything. it's not a constant clicking noise but jus one click and then nothing. i thought it was the starter so i bought a new one and jus took out the old one today. rather than putting the new starter all the way in i jus connected the wires ta make sure that was the problem and still nothing happens. jus a click and thats it. could it be the ignition? any other ideas?

Could it be a weak battery? Corroded or loose ground?

If there were not even a click I'd suggest you check the shift rod and the neutral start switch. It can't be either of those if the starter clicks.

Sixto
87 300D

I imagine you are aware that the case of the starter to the motor provides the ground or competion of the circuit. Without bolting the starter down a booster cable from it to the engine ground may tell you more.

Just finish installing the starter. Then charge and load test the battery. If that gets it running, verify alternator output.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.