The other morning while I was trying to start my '85 300D, I turned the key and it just bumped the engine for a split second and nothing else happened. The second try it did it again but then after a split second the starter energized normally. The first try felt like when you bump the engine a little to align the timing marks, etc.
Later that day as I was getting ready to go home, it started normally and I made a few stops on the way home and it was OK also.
My battery connections are good and the battery itself is fairly new. I haven't been able to check my starter connections or anything else yet.
This got me a little worried so I was wondering if is this a warning of some kind. I'd hate to get stuck somewhere. What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance.
~DJ

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

The next time it does it, while holding the key in the start position, jiggle the gearshift lever to see if the starter engages. Could be the neutral safety switch is going bad or shifter bushings. It that is ok, then onto checking electrical connections.

Could easily be a bad connection. Mine hesitates for a second before doing anything when the engine is cold. After the first start of the morning, it returns to normal. I believe it is a bad internal connection. Last week at 11 below zero, it would not do anything at all. Later in the day when it warmed up, it worked after holding the key in the start position for 2 seconds.
I've got a new (rebuilt?)starter on order from Advance Auto--$100 lifetime warranty. No one else I could find offered a lifetime warranty.

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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

So far its been starting up with no hestitation. It hadn't really been driven for several days before that day. It wasn't particularly cold that morning, maybe in the high 30's or low 40's. I'll pay particular attention if the key will need jiggling or if the shift lever needs holding to get good contact if it happens again. The thing that seemed unusual to me when I first got the car was that if you let go of the key while starting, you needed to return the key to the off position before you could try starting again. I guess this is something that is normal for an M-B and I guess its to keep you from eating flywheel and starter teeth.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

My Volvo did that for a while, then refused to crank, fortunately in the drive at home.

When I got around to taking the starter off to exhange it, I found the battery cable loose. Took it off, replaced the washers, and it's been fine since. Loose connection had burned the cable and washers to the point it quit conducting.

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!