1986 300E wont start - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Yaoi-Wiccan · #1 08-11-2011, 11:47 AM

My 1986 300E will not start/crank. I turn the key and nothing happens. I have no idea what to do.

lorainfurniture · #2 08-11-2011, 12:00 PM

Try putting the gear selector in neutral. If that works, it is a bad neutral safety switch

mbzman · #3 08-11-2011, 02:20 PM

Do the warning lights come on when you turn the key to run? Are the headlights dim? Put a voltage meter on the battery and check voltage. Should be around 12.8V if healthy.

S124300 · #4 08-12-2011, 05:00 AM

As per mbzman, the first check is to see if you have battery power. If you don't have a multimeter, just try the headlights and see if they are bright.

Ferdman · #5 08-12-2011, 06:23 AM

Yaoi-Wiccan, MB batteries fail suddenly without warning in most cases. As mentioned verify the condition of your battery. Hopefully it died and all you need to do is replace it. Remove negative cable first, then positive cable. Installation is the reverse.

Have your radio code handy so you can reactivate the radio after the new battery is installed.

Cal Learner · #6 08-12-2011, 09:37 AM

No radio code on an '86, as far as I know.

Ferdman · #7 08-12-2011, 04:14 PM

Cal, thanks for the clarification. The oldest 124 car we have is a 1991, and I presumed all the 124 radios required a code to reactivate after the car's battery was disconnected.

ps2cho · #8 08-12-2011, 08:58 PM

No radio codes for 88 model year either! They started late 89 I believe.

As said, start with battery then work towards shifter.

Yaoi-Wiccan · #9 08-13-2011, 10:48 PM

The battery voltage is good and I tried to start in neatural and that did not work either.

S124300 · #10 08-14-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaoi-Wiccan

The battery voltage is good and I tried to start in neatural and that did not work either.

If your engine doesn't crank you can probably move onto checking other things after the battery.
The starter motor - check for power to it, that the earth connection is still there and that the starter motor turns or isn't jammed.
The starter inhibitor switch can cause failure to start if it becomes faulty. Sometimes, jiggling the gear selector lever a bit in N and P works, but not always. The switch is on the gearbox and is to prevent the engine from cranking in gear. One of our previous 124s had one replaced, before we acquired it.