Hey all,
I've been having some issues with my '75 W200. When I turn the key all that happens is the starter solinoid clicks. Doesn't turn over, doesn't even try. Batteries are fully charged. When I try to jump the starter relay with a wrench, the same thing happens, just a click (with a lot of sparks ). Sooo...is there anything else I should check for or do I need to rebuild the starter? If I do, are there only 2 bolts holding it in? Thanks in advance.

 

as far as i know there is only 2 bolts holding the starter on my 91. have you check what the voltage is at the starter?

 

Try removing the solenoid and cleaning it and the area underneath it then reinstalling it. I had a 77 act that way and that is all it took. I figured it out because I would get mad and slam the door ..... then it would start ok.

 

Thanks guys, I think I got it figured out. There wasn't a good enough connection going from the battery to the starter relay. It fires right up now. Hopefully that was my problem.

Anyone else have a problem with the battery cable arcing to different parts of the starter relay? The mounting bolt for the cable is 1/16" away from another mount and once in a while the two will arc together and cause the starter to stay engaged while the engine is running until I disconnect the battery. I tried to fix that by putting a nut under the battery to space it out but all that did was cause a bad connection.

 

never had that problem, but if i did, i would clean the entire area really well. make sure all of the grease, corrosion, etc is out of there. id try to shift around the cables so the connectors were as far apart as possible (i.e. if there is some play in the way the cable terminal sits on the stud). then, get some dielectric grease and put it all over the terminals to protect them from any moisture or corrosion.