After turning off the engine for a few minutes, I try turning the key after glow plugs light went out but no noise. I check the battery connections and they were all clean and tight. Check headlights, wipers and horn, they all work. Try it again, still no go. Then I hit the starter with my screwdriver, then it started. Is my starter on the way out ( it looks like a rebuilt on it already)? Or key switch.......thanks

Those are the symptoms of a starter solenoid going bad. Best to get on it and either change the solenoind now, or the starter and solenoind. They seldom heal up.

I had the same symptoms on both of my cars. On one it was the solenoid and on the other it was the starter. I changed the entire starter on both, because on the one with a bad solenoid, the starter was also getting weak. What a difference a new starter made on both. The engines turned over faster and started easier.

I believe you have been given excellent advice above. Don't get stranded!

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Mike

2000 SL500 22,000 miles
1981 300CD 188,000 miles
1979 450 SEL 266,000 miles
2005 Cadillac CTS 25,000 miles

If it works fine when you bridge the starter connections with a screwdriver, it's either wiring loose or broken, a bad key switch, or the neutral safety switch is not enaged (check shifter bushings) or bad. Hint: try in neutral instead of park.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Perhaps I misunderstood. Did you bridge the connections on the starter and then it turned or did you hit the starter and then it cranked?

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Mike

2000 SL500 22,000 miles
1981 300CD 188,000 miles
1979 450 SEL 266,000 miles
2005 Cadillac CTS 25,000 miles

I hit the starter, it has a manual tranny. I also read on Haynes that you should step on the clutch to start, do you guys do that, I had never done that maybe I shall thanks...

If your car is a 85CD California car it has a trap oxidizer. Your starter is a four bolt starter not a two bolt starter. It only will cost you and extra $100 for the four bolt. The starter on these cars are mounted upside down.
Charlie

300cd,

You should always depress the clutch pedal whan you start the engine.

1. It reduces the drag on the starter, especially when cold, because it doesn't have to turn the transmission.

2. There is no chance the car will move should you forget to put the transmission in neutral.

P E H