Autolite remanufactured starters, are they any good? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 03-16-2003, 03:27 PM

I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with an Autolite remanufactured starter. I am thinking I might get one of these for my 300CD, or should I spend the extra money and buy a Bosch remanufactured starter.

#2 03-16-2003, 09:10 PM

Get the Bosch abd be happy with yourself.. Get the REMAN unit>NOT NEW!

Otherwise, save yourself $50 or $60 and wait to see how your savings has held up.

Best wishes always,
spo

psfred · #3 03-16-2003, 09:53 PM

Go for the Bosch -- unless Autolite replaces the armature, the start will be no good out of the box, and if they do, it won't be enough cheaper that the Bosch to bother with.

Most diesel starters die from high resistance windings in the armature -- makes them run slow. This is not a matter of replacing bushings, brushes, and turning commutator, it is simply that the copper changes with use and resistance increases. The result is excessive current draw and slow speed.

Peter

#4 03-16-2003, 10:17 PM

The real helpful parts expert at my local parts store tells me that it is a Bosch starter that is remanufactured by Autolite, and they go through and replace everything. Tomorrow I will ask him if they replace the armature

. If I remember right, PartsShop has a starter for almost the same price as the Autolite

#5 03-16-2003, 10:24 PM

Ok, PartsShop has several models listed. There is a "light duty" and a "heavy duty" listed. It looks like the "light duty" is for early non-turbo diesels like my car I believe. What would be the model I would want to get for my car, I am guessing it would be the "heavy duty" so it will start better

psfred · #6 03-16-2003, 10:33 PM

Get the heavy duty, it works better.

Peter

#7 03-16-2003, 10:35 PM

Thanks for the help guys, I think I will order one today or tomorrow. Now I am going to have fun trying to replace it

The Warden · #8 03-16-2003, 10:54 PM

If Autolite's starters are anything like their glow plugs, I'd run fast and far...

The attached picture is the tip broken off of an Autolite glow plug; the owner had to pull the head to get the tip out.

#9 03-17-2003, 12:39 AM

Ok, I just ordered the starter. Now here is the question, should I replace the battery cables, and if so, what should I replace them with?

The Warden · #10 03-17-2003, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 123c
Ok, I just ordered the starter. Now here is the question, should I replace the battery cables, and if so, what should I replace them with?

2/O welding cable!!

Seriously, I don't know if there are pre-made cables out there or not, but the bigger cable you can use, the less resistance will be needed for the juice to get to the starter. I haven't looked closely at the positive cable, but the ground cable looks to be simple to reproduce with an eye, a short length of cable, and a battery clamp...all you need to crimp the eye is a flathead screwdriver and a hammer.

I fabricated cables for my old van (dual batteries in parallel; I think it was a total of 25 feet (15 feet for the positive cables, and 5 feet each for the ground cables) with ) with no problem.

Just some thoughts...good luck!

#11 03-17-2003, 08:58 AM

I checked FastLane, and no battery cables there. Anyways, I think the cables are still good. As far as I can tell, they are the originals as is the starter

#12 03-17-2003, 09:07 AM

Performance Products has Diamondback Alloy-Shielded Battery Cables, but they seem spendy

. Oh well, I am sure they would last another 30 years

samiam4 · #13 03-17-2003, 01:18 PM

123c,

If you are going to buy cables- why not buy new mercedes cables??? If memory is correct, they are NOT expensive for a 123. I think the negative cable is $14 and the positive was $28?? My experence was the vibration from my engine broke some of the internal strands... positive cable made a difference and I didn't buy the negative.

heard some bad bosch rebuilt stories lately-don't think they are always replacing the armature. George said his shop had a bosch rebuilt fail.. armature was turned undersize. But, I'd definately go Bosch over anybody else's rebuilts.

Michael

#14 03-17-2003, 02:46 PM

I think my cables might still be ok, just that replaceing them might be good, since they are 25 years old. About a month ago, I noticed that the insolation had shunk at the ends, and there was some corosion on the copper stands, so I cleaned it up as best as I could and wrapped them with electrical tape. They seem to be still be doing the job ok, but after I replace the starter and it still cranks slow, then I might go ahead and replace them. Those Diamondback Alloy-Shielded Battery Cables are $16 for the negative cable, and $18 for the positive cable. Here is the link to them: http://www.************************/ProductPage.aspx?productname=Diamondback+Alloy-Shielded+Battery+Cables&productid=101930&productType=10&partnumber=