Lazy Starter

[Richard Madison]

Long distance diagnosis is difficult but I'll ask anyway...

1971 280SL, manual tranny...once in a while when I turn the key to start, I hear the starter solenoid click but nothing else happens, no cranking, nothing...if I turn the key back and forth between off and start a few times, it will decide to crank and immediately start up; sometimes it takes only 2 back and forth turns of the key, and sometimes 6 or 8...

This can happen on the first start of the day, or the tenth...warm engine or cold, makes no difference.

The car starts normally a number of times then at random intervals it goes into this "I don't want to crank" mode.

I assume because the solenoid clicks each time, that it's more likely to be the starter but why should the starter work OK most time then take a rest other times? Loose wire? Dead spot?

Whenever I start, my foot is always on the clutch and the shift  handle is in neutral. Makes no difference if the key is taken out or put back in or if the steering wheel lock is engaged or not.

Suggestions?
Richard M

[Ricardo]

Richard
Can't help with this at all.... I anxiously await the wisdom of the group, but if it's any consolation I have the exact same problem in my '67, and recently purchased some starter brushes on ebay, thinking maybe these will fix  it. But I've got bigger problems now
Richard V

[ja17]

Hello Richard,
This symptom is usually  bad contacts in the solenoid (solenoid actually activates but no electrical connection)or the starter brushes are worn and only making contact at times. These starters can easily be rebuilt or reconditioned. some dealers, and Bosch distributors may offer factory rebuilt units exchange.  Also most Mercedes four and six cylinder gasoline cars of this era used the same starter.



Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[pkiefert]

Richard, if you do have to replace the starter, remember Joe told us at the tech session that the newer style has more power (almost twice?) and will crank the engine easier.  Might be a good time to upgrade.  My manual car does not have a neutral or clutch safety switch.

[bayleif]

Richard,
I had almost the same symptoms on the 230SL I owned back in the 70's. Except that it usually happened when my wife had the car (it was our only car back then). Turned out is was nothing more then that the starter was loose.
Chuck Bartlett


Chuck Bartlett
1969 Signal Red 4 Speed

[Cees Klumper]

If the problem gets worse before you have it remedied (as Joe suggests, probably the best thing to do is get a rebuilt starter + solenoid, that will for sure solve the issue - but do check whether any of the wiring or bolts are loose as in loose contacts) and the car won't start when it least convenient, you can always apply the old standby-routine: hitting the starter motor with a heavy object (no kidding). This will in most cases restore the electrical contact that has deteriorated sufficiently to get you started (haha) again.