I have an 81 w123 240d with a manual trans. I recently parked and came back in a couple hours. When I turned the key to the start position nothing happened and I couldn't hear a click or anything. The battery seemed to be charged and the instrument cluster lights were on. I tried bridging the connections on the starter between the solenoid and starter motor connections on the top of the starter. The solenoid didn't throw and the motor didn't spin. There were some small sparks but not like what you usually get when you try to activate a starter in this way. Fortunately I was on a hill and started the car by rolling down the hill and popping the clutch. I drove home. On the way none of the idiot lights were on ( the alternator appeared to be working). When I killed the engine I tried to restart it and it started in the usual way . I tried several times and it started every time. I went to the starter again and bridged the solenoid and starter motor connections. This time the starter motor spun but the solenoid didn't throw. Does anyone know what's going on here? It's not hilly enough around here to count on starting it by rolling it. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
Starting problem mystery
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I am kind of baffled by "This time the starter motor spun but the solenoid didn't throw" because if you applied the jumper wire to the solenoid the only way that could have happened is if the Solenoid was engaged because it connect the Batter to the actual motor.
If your Starter dose not work again get a piece of 2x4 and a hammer and place one of the small ends of the 2x4 on the Starter and give the other end a good rap with a regular hammer about the weight of a typical Claw Hammer.
That freed mine up on several occasions till it stopped completely. However, if the hammering gets it working it is an indication that the Starter needs to be removed and looked inside of to find out what is wrong or replaced with a rebuilt one.
I rebuilt mine but the important issue in my case is that apparently if the Brushes are worn inside of the Starter your Starter Solenoid will not work properly. That was suggested by a Member of another forum I frequent. I decided not so use the new Solenoid that I bought and I roused the old one and have had no issues for I think it is 5 months now.
If your Starter has never been rebuilt before the brushes and wires to the fields are welded to the brush Holder. However, the Brush holder as well as the field wires are pre-drilled.
There is Bosch and Monark Brush kits on eBay but be sure to get the ones that have the metal tabs on them because they all don't come that way.
Monak also makes a rebuild kit that has the brushes and Bushings and other parts.
![2644925]()
For some reason the Monark Kit does not come with Screws to attach the brushes.
![2644926]()
The Bosch Brush Kit comes with screws nuts and stuff to attach the brushes.
If your Starter dose not work again get a piece of 2x4 and a hammer and place one of the small ends of the 2x4 on the Starter and give the other end a good rap with a regular hammer about the weight of a typical Claw Hammer.
That freed mine up on several occasions till it stopped completely. However, if the hammering gets it working it is an indication that the Starter needs to be removed and looked inside of to find out what is wrong or replaced with a rebuilt one.
I rebuilt mine but the important issue in my case is that apparently if the Brushes are worn inside of the Starter your Starter Solenoid will not work properly. That was suggested by a Member of another forum I frequent. I decided not so use the new Solenoid that I bought and I roused the old one and have had no issues for I think it is 5 months now.
If your Starter has never been rebuilt before the brushes and wires to the fields are welded to the brush Holder. However, the Brush holder as well as the field wires are pre-drilled.
There is Bosch and Monark Brush kits on eBay but be sure to get the ones that have the metal tabs on them because they all don't come that way.
Monak also makes a rebuild kit that has the brushes and Bushings and other parts.
For some reason the Monark Kit does not come with Screws to attach the brushes.
The Bosch Brush Kit comes with screws nuts and stuff to attach the brushes.
Note that I bought the Bosch Brush kit before I also bought the Monark kit. I used the bosch kit.
When you look up the Monark kit you are going to need the numbers stamped on the Starter Body to identify which kit you need especially concerning the bushings.
The bushing in the intermediate plate is heavy crimped in place. I decided not to replace the bushings in mine so I did not deal with it.
If you decide on a rebuilt people have said to get one from a 300D because it spins faster. Don't know the details on that.
If there is not threads on benzworld on rebuilding the starter there is one by I believe it is Dangrousdan over on the peach parts form.
When you look up the Monark kit you are going to need the numbers stamped on the Starter Body to identify which kit you need especially concerning the bushings.
The bushing in the intermediate plate is heavy crimped in place. I decided not to replace the bushings in mine so I did not deal with it.
If you decide on a rebuilt people have said to get one from a 300D because it spins faster. Don't know the details on that.
If there is not threads on benzworld on rebuilding the starter there is one by I believe it is Dangrousdan over on the peach parts form.
I decided to just put in a rebuilt starter
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