Just a *&$# click from the GP relay when I try to start!? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SirMatt · #1 02-25-2003, 03:33 PM

OK. I've posted this before and thought I had it narrowed down to the starter but that's not it I guess.

When I go to start the 1984 300DTurbo, all I get is a "click" from inside the glow plug relay. I can do it (reproduce the "click") over a over again repeatedly and very quickly by not fully cycling the key back to the off position but rather very quickly jiggling the key in and out of the ignition position and sometimes the starter will go ahead and kick off. Used to only have the problem on hot days. Now it's all the time. New 950CCA battery, rebuilt starter. Still does it. I'm going to totally replace the battery cables today and see if that makes a difference.

I can generally always start it by applting more juice to it (battery charger or jumper cables)

Any new ideas? Why is the "click" repeatedly coming from the glow plug relay? Last night the starter wouldn't crank. Glow plug relay just made that &*$%ed "click". I unplugged the larger plug on the relay and tried to start the car. The starter engaged immediately but the car wouldn't start. Plugged it back in and the starter cranked again and the car started right up. I'm at my wits end and will probably shoot myself if the battery cables fix the problem.

Could something in the relay be drawing down the battery just enough to keep it from starting?

Help me or I'm going to have to take my 12 guage Weatherly to my beautiful black MB.

diesel don · #2 02-25-2003, 04:18 PM

Sounds strange but these cars are at times.

1) have you replaced the 80 amp fuse in the glo relay box? Even if you can't replace it now (50 cents), make sure the phillips screws are tight and that absolutely NO BEND is in the fuse. Mine was bent once and the stinkin car wouldn't fire. I don't however think that this would keep it from turning over.

2) I wonder about ignition but the click seems to indicate that the ignition is working

3) I wonder about the battery when you have an intermittant problem. On a few occasions, this has happened with my 85TD. But I can't find it yet.

Don

BWatson · #3 02-25-2003, 05:20 PM

My bet is on the battery cables or some other loose connection. I have had many cars over the years that behave similarly because of a bad connection. One in particular was because I had a clamp on battery connection. You know, the ones that have two small bolts to clamp on to the cable. It wasn't a diesel but when you turned the key..."CLICK" all the dash lights went off.

What about the glow plug relay itself?

#4 02-25-2003, 05:31 PM

When you replace those battery cables be sure to clean the ground connection very carefully before bolting it on there. Get some electrical contact grease and apply it to the contact area.
I am not the greatest with electrcal troubles, but a good friend once told me that most electrical mysteries are just bad grounds.
I would hope that would take care of it. The symptoms you are giving here could be just that.

SirMatt · #5 02-25-2003, 06:07 PM

Bad cables and corroded contact points may in fact be the problem. But the fact that up until recently it only happened when it was warm has puzzled me. After long drives or when the ambient temperature was above 70 it would almost always happen, but after sitting awhile you could come back and it would start. Now it happens without rhyme or reason. However, bad wires might explain why adding more "juice" to the circuit induces the starter to fire. The added battery power is enough to overcome the loss due to the bad wires maybe? Anyway, I'll try it and see what happens. I love this old car. It's amazing how fast an MB can gain your affection.

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