300SDL Starter update
 

I just got done removing the starter, spraying some WD-40 on the gear and gently tapping everywhere with a hammer and large screwdriver. I cleaned the connections thoroughly, reinstalled it, and still the same thing.. it just spins without turning the engine.

Is there a procedure to cleaning the starter? There was a thin layer of rust on the gear in the starter. The gear looked perfect and so did the flywheel. I have a buyer for the car and this is holding us up!! Thanks for any help..

I hope I am wrong, but did you happen to check the teeth on the flywheel? You could have a problem with the starter ring on the flywheel. Sounds like you willhave to take it out no matter what but first make sure that you have it wired correctly. Did this start happening all of a sudden?

Henry

Well kind of. It started fine when I parked it about 6 weeks ago.. went to start it and the starter just spins. The teeth look perfect. The starter is also a fairly recent Bosch rebuilt unit.

1. hunt down your rebuild warentee

2. This time when the starter is out take it to an Auto Parts house to be tested.

If it shows bad use the warrentee. Replace it. New buyer willl love a new starter as part of the deal anyway.

Did you test it while out of the car to make sure the bendix is coming out? Using jumper cables to the battery to test it. If the bendix was coming out while out of the car, I'd look at the flywheel. But my guess is that the bendix is sticking for some reason.

Sounds like the solenoid pivot or actuating arm isn't attached, so that the starter motor engages but the gear isn't moving forward.

Easy test is to remove (easy, ha!) then attach jumper cables, positive to the normal connection (not the motor winding!) and ground to the case. Jumper from the cable to the starter wire and see if the gear pops out. If not, take it back, it's defective and there is no need for YOU to fix it!

I'd bet the solenoid isn't connected to the gear lever anymore.

However, if the grear does pop out, disconnect the cables and verify that the gear only freewheels one way -- if it turns in both directions without moving the starter motor shaft, the one-way clutch is bad, return it.

Peter

The starter is actually not bad to get out on the 126 chassis/603 engine. Two easy bolts and you can remove the starter through the engine bay or underneath.. but the car must be up in the air a bit to get to the bolts. Takes about 10 minutes to remove it or install it.

I will call TheBenzBin tommorow and see what's up with my warranty.

TheBenzBin is great.. I have a new starter on the way.. should be here next week.

Got the new (rebuilt) starter in.. works perfeclty now!