On my 85 300td an odd thing has started happening the last couple of weeks. When I turn the switch to start, first thing in the morning, there is a hesitation before it starts. The hesitation was about a tenth of a second or so at first, just enough to wonder if I imagined it. It is now up to about half a second, perhaps longer. It only happens on the first start of the day, never again until the next day. Any ideas? Ignition switch? Bad connections? Bad solenoid? Nocturnal demons? Haven't come up with a good hypothesis that explains why it only happens in the morning.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I replaced a failed starter with a rebuilt Bosch starter last summer, and this starter exhibited the same problem from the start. On occasion it would not turnover at all. It seemed to be related to a combination of where the rotor stopped and heat. My analysis (with Forum members help) was that there was a fault in the stator or rotor windings that worsened with heat and the position of the rotor at rest. I ultimately replaced the starter with an Advance Auto rebuilt starter, which solved the problem.

My guess is that hot and cold starter difficulties are usually related to thermal expansion issues with stator or rotor windings. Rebuilt starters are often rebuilt with these bad parts and so they have a fairly high infant mortality rate. Good luck with pinpointing your problem.

__________________
1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

Hi Kerry.

Since your in CO.I assume that it is cold at
night.


How are the fuelfilters?
How about the GP's?
How old is your battery?

Any of these going bad can cause problems.
Most notably in the morning.

Louis.

Yes, chilly in the am. I don't think it's any of those things. Battery is plenty healthy, and the issue is that the engine is not turning over, not that it's not starting. It's as if the starter is not getting power for that half second. Perhaps the speed of light is slowing down in the mornings. It could have something to do with the cold. Contraction of a connection somewhere?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Well Kerry.

Usually that is the first sign that the starter is
going bad.
I used to have this problem on one of my pervious
cars and it got progressively worse to the point
that I had to start the car by bridging the terminals
under the hood.
Which in this case was easy because it was on
the side of the engine and not on the underside
as in the MB's case.
But in the end I had to replace it anyway.

Louis.

Yes...a bolted connection perhaps, but most likely a small fault in the windings. It takes a bit of time to jump the gap, and then things start moving. Once warm the gap goes away.

My bet is its somewhere down deep in the starter. If I'm correct, procrastination will finally manifest itself into a no start situation soon. Good luck.

__________________
1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold