makes clicking sound when starting. once car is running, sound quits, assume starter. Change starter?

Not sure but maybe check the solenoid switch.

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1989 300CE Astralsilber/Schwarz
1992 300CE Schwarz/Schwarz

Before you change out the starter or it's solenoid, have someone load test the battery. The "clicking" sound is too often mistaken for a faulty solenoid when all along it was a battery getting weak.

It will only cost a couple of bucks if that. A lot of places will load test for free.

By the way, some people here are big advocates of what's known as an "open circuit voltage" test. They assume that because a reading of 12.60 or better is returned that the battery is OK.

Wrong.

The only legitimate test in this case is a load test.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Yeah, most auto parts stores will test it for free. It could take up to an hour, but it's the only way to be completely sure that your battery is still healthy.


However, does the sound only happen while the starter is engaged, or does it continue for a few seconds after the car starts? That might just be the initial lack of oil causing the sound.

Only does the sound when you first start and then stopswhen engine starts. Already had the battery load checked and it is fine. Not the lack of oil thing, know that sound.

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Had the battery checked, not the battery but thanks for suggestion about the solenoid, good thing to check.

It seems like so many things are free in the US. I always here about computer diagnostic tests being performed for free. I never heard of anything free up here in Canada. A test that's going to take an hour will not be for free, not where I live anyway.

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1989 300CE Astralsilber/Schwarz
1992 300CE Schwarz/Schwarz