Author Topic: Starter won't work  (Read 3255 times)

ah53

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Starter won't work
« on: April 24, 2009, 23:58:27 »
I have the same problem as a previous poster.  The starter has been pulled and checked, the battery is good.  When I turn on the key the fuel pump works and the cold start valve clicks.
I have current to the main post on the starter and to one side of the solenoid.
How can I jump out the starter inhibitor switch?
In what order should I trace the circuit?
Is there any way to check the ignition switch itself?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Joe C.

Jonny B

  • Pagoda SL Board
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Re: Starter won't work
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2009, 00:06:00 »
If an automatic, is the ignition lock out switch properly adjusted? This is the brown small rectangular box on the firewall with the small lever arm.

Also check that the smaller wire going to the starter is on the proper connection. We just ran into this problem the past weekend working on getting a 280 SL back on the road. Everything was in place, but nothing from the starter. We pulled it out of the car, set it on the bench, and found that we had connected the smaller wire to the wrong post on the starter solenoid. There was an extra connection that we did not need. We changed it around and voila!
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

ah53

  • Guest
Re: Starter won't work
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2009, 21:40:22 »
Jonny B

   Thanks for the thought.  I don't know how but I also reversed the 2 leads.  Swapped them around and the car fired right off. 

Joe C.