On my 99 every so often when I go to turn the key it does nothing. When I say that I turn the key and don't hear anything but if you hold the key for a while to the start position it finally rolls over and starts. I changed the tumblers just to make sure that was ok and not hanging up. I do not hear a click on the solenoid so it leaves me to believe One of three things. 1: a switch problem where it does not make contact. 2: a starter issue, or 3: if there is one a relay. So easy one first, is there a starter relay? If so I will change that first. Second what would you try next, the switch or the starter? The car has 102,000 miles on it so it could be either. A switch is a bear to change but will do that if necessary. The starter does not grag when it does roll overand the battery is fairly new. Any other ideas?
Also if it does give up the ghost can you jumper the starter to get it to start if something fails? Right now I am a long way from home and dont want to be forced into an expensive dealer repair if I can avoid it
There is a relay for the starter solenoid, and it is located in the fuse box. It is one of the small relays -- probably toward the front. I would have someone start the car while you are touching all of the relays so you can identify the starter relay by feel. Alternatively, you might pull all the relays and look at their number of pins: the starter relay has 5 pins, and is probably the only one with this number. Once you have the starter relay I would pry-off its cover and visually inspect its contacts for wear.
My '96 car had an ABS fault which indicated a faulty relay. Upon inspection I noticed the armature was making contact with the side of the switch contact, and this surface was badly worn. By gently bending the armature so that it made contact with an unworn section of the switch contact I managed to extend the life of this relay and clear the ABS fault.
I would suspect both of these components, and to me each is too expensive and the effort to replace too great to replace without first doing some simple troubleshooting.
If you remove the starter relay you will see that its pins are numbered. Identify the sockets into which #30 and #87 insert, and jumper those with a paper clip while having the key on. Don't be surprised if you see small sparks at your connection when you complete contact.
Thank you. I asked about the potential of jumpering it since right now I am 900 miles from home and not a lot of knowlegeable mercedes people in the small towns. I will try the relay as soon as I can get one but you gave me all the info I needed. You guys really know your stuff and I always appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. One of the reasons for this trip was to look at a 88 SEC, which is now mine also. I can't believe I am tackling another project. I keep telling myself at 63 this is the last one...... but they are so beautiful.
If you have to jump it, just connect the other battery in parallel with yours without starting the other car. That way any current draw will not cause the other engine to rev up that 'might' result in a power spike (which 'could' cause damage to your electronics). Or remove your battery and charge it offline.
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