The starter has a hot-wire directly to it already.

To crank the engine, there is a three-pin plug on the inner-firewall just ahead of the brake booster. Un-plug and run a hot wire over from the batter +12v to the larger/center (IIRC) pin on the firewall side of the plug, it should crank.

It is possible that your engine is seized or there is water/fluid in a cylinder causing a hydrolock if it won't crank but a few degrees and stalls the starter, ... do a little research if things don't seem right.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I'd try turning the motor over by hand with a socket to see if it actually turns...or try towstarting/hill starting it.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

what do you mean by un-plug here? I imagine just running a jumper cable from the positive battery post to this larger/center pin?

thanks

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Unplugging that is protecting something, but I can't think of what. Yes a jumper cable from the positive post to the center pin should crank it.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Wow, thats a big change from Wilmington NC! From palm trees, beaches, sand and mild winters to snow and bitter cold winters.


Sorry to hear your car conked out at 298K... thats alot of miles. I hope my 300SEL makes it that long... it has 156K now.

Yeah, apparently it gets a little cold up there ha ha- I will have to invest in a coat for the first time in a long time!

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Waves and sometimes a Tsunami.

__________________
1987 W201 190D

Absolutely... and a snow blower/shovel. You surely dont have to deal with much snow in Wilmington NC. I have not been there since 1994, but when we were there, I loved it.

OK, went ahead and had it towed to the shop for a new starter.

I tried hot wiring it as per the instructions above, but it still would not catch- just some clicks.

Sounds like a new MB when it starts now. 100X smoother and quieter.

----

Yes, Wilmington is a wonderful place to live. I'll miss it a ton.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Awesome. Now it has a new lease on life! It will likely go well beyond 300k.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

There; that sounds better!!! Sounds like you've had a change of heart. Keep us informed when you reach that 300K mark.