End of the line with the 300SE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fahrgewehr2 · #1 06-09-2009, 12:46 AM

I've had it for more than ten years but I think this might be the end.

I wanted to get 300K out of it and have been letting things go for a few years now (But I still keep the diesel in good shape).

today I drove it in the morning. started just fine. Afternoon I attempt to start and the starter motor just bumps the motor once and goes dead. Lights and battery are strong.

Shifting to neutral makes no difference.

cables on battery are tight.

I smacked the starter from above pretty well and that results in one short little grunt (not even a rev)from the motor when i turn the key. A few more turns bumps when I turn the key and then nothing again.

Is there a way to hot-wire this starter?

I only needed the car to run one more week before I retired (parted) it (out)!

pawoSD · #2 06-09-2009, 01:23 AM

Why would you part it just because it reached 300k? Let it live! Put on a new starter and drive it many more miles.

Jim B. · #3 06-09-2009, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Why would you part it just because it reached 300k? Let it live! Put on a new starter and drive it many more miles.

Yeah that would be like running the egg and spoon race and then dropping the egg one inch before the finish line.

I agree, fix it, and take better care of it if you can afford it.

Hit Man X · #4 06-09-2009, 04:19 PM

lol, hell a running car with A/C is probably more than you'd get if you spent your time parting it all out.

fahrgewehr2 · #5 06-09-2009, 05:20 PM

Well...

the car has some rust and the paint is 20footer quality.

the AC is out (again)

Head gasket leaks (externally) (again)

left track rod mount needs replacing. (again)

seats are starting to sag....

someone smacked the left rear fender recently...(thanks!)

etc etc etc.

I will soon be moving to a northern city where this car is not really a reasonable means of transportation.

So, I'm not interested in sinking hundreds of dollars into this thing.

Anyways, any ideas on what I should try do do to get it started before I tow it?

I turn the key it it makes one click/clunk noise and that's it.

pawoSD · #6 06-09-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fahrgewehr2

I will soon be moving to a northern city where this car is not really a reasonable means of transportation.

What does that mean?

I am in a northern city, and find my MB's to be perfectly reasonable......that being a W126 diesel, and a W124 gasser....

outofspec · #7 06-09-2009, 05:17 PM

I've got a known good used starter I'll GIVE you if you pay the freight from Hudson WI. Maybe I could fit it in one of those USPS flat rate boxes. Would be $13.95. You can't give up the fight at 298K!!! PM me if you want it.

pawoSD · #8 06-09-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofspec

I've got a known good used starter I'll GIVE you if you pay the freight from Hudson WI. Maybe I could fit it in one of those USPS flat rate boxes. Would be $13.95. You can't give up the fight at 298K!!! PM me if you want it.

PM sent!

fahrgewehr2 · #9 06-09-2009, 05:38 PM

thanks for the offer outofspec...I'm actually moving to downtown Milwaukee WI.

outofspec · #10 06-09-2009, 05:44 PM

I grew up in Milwaukee; nice town, good resturants. I know what you mean about just too many issues with the car to keep it going. I just retired my 1989 300SEL as a parts car for my new/used 1990 300SEL. It gets to a point where you just have to say goodbye.
Good Luck!

pawoSD · #11 06-09-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofspec

I grew up in Milwaukee; nice town, good resturants. I know what you mean about just too many issues with the car to keep it going. I just retired my 1989 300SEL as a parts car for my new/used 1990 300SEL. It gets to a point where you just have to say goodbye.
Good Luck!

There's no such thing. Enough parts can keep them going forever!

I put a ton of work and $$ into my W126 the first few years I had it, and I have hardly had to do anything to it for years. The repairs come in waves.

86560SEL · #12 06-10-2009, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fahrgewehr2

thanks for the offer outofspec...I'm actually moving to downtown Milwaukee WI.

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.

fahrgewehr2 · #13 06-10-2009, 11:54 AM

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!

babymog · #14 06-09-2009, 11:43 PM

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.

fahrgewehr2 · #15 06-10-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

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.

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