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Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / April 2005

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300SD: starter pinion not going forward enough?

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Jim Caldwell - 24 Apr 2005 12:44 GMT
I am rebuilding the starter for a 1985 300 SD for the first time, so I
may be making some dumb mistake.  I tested it off-car with my
jump-starter. The starter runs fine, but the drive pinion only moves
forward about 1/4 to 3/8 in.  I am thinking that to engage the
flywheel properly, it should be moving all the way, or nearly all the
way, forward to the  shaft bushing. That would be about one inch of
movement. I can manually move it that far forward until it is up
against the bushing.  I know that the solenoid, when energized, is
working against the spring in the center...but it is the same spring
that worked fine before.THe solenoid...or I should say starter relay
(it mounts into the body of the starter)...is a new one.  SO that
would not be the problem. ANy idea what is wrong?
Clive Turnbull - 24 Apr 2005 17:10 GMT
On April 24 2005, you wrote:

> I am rebuilding the starter for a 1985 300 SD for the first time, so I
> may be making some dumb mistake.  I tested it off-car with my
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> (it mounts into the body of the starter)...is a new one.  SO that
> would not be the problem. ANy idea what is wrong?

I know the pinion should move forward fully before it starts to rotate.
can't picture this. is there a fork operating the gear from the solenoid
and if so is it the correct way round? Cheers Clive
JimiGunne - 24 Apr 2005 22:21 GMT
>On April 24 2005, you wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>can't picture this. is there a fork operating the gear from the solenoid
>and if so is it the correct way round? Cheers Clive

Yes, there is a fork that forces the pinion forward.  I didn't give
much thonght to which way I put it in, as it looks like it is
symmetrical front-to-back. Im pretty sure it is, but I guess I could
double-check that. The top lever of the fork engages the spring-loaded
lever connected to the solenoid "plunger".  Jim
Clive Turnbull - 25 Apr 2005 00:01 GMT
On April 24 2005, you wrote:

> Yes, there is a fork that forces the pinion forward.  I didn't give
> much thonght to which way I put it in, as it looks like it is
> symmetrical front-to-back. Im pretty sure it is, but I guess I could
> double-check that. The top lever of the fork engages the spring-loaded
> lever connected to the solenoid "plunger".  Jim

Jim
If the solenoid plunger is doing full travel and the gear isn't, I would
have thought it must be something between the two and that only leaves
the fork, unless the solenoid plunger isn't going it's full travel.
Sticking in it's bore so to speak. Such a long time since I've done one.
Good luck Clive
JimiGunne - 25 Apr 2005 04:51 GMT
>On April 24 2005, you wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>Sticking in it's bore so to speak. Such a long time since I've done one.
>Good luck Clive

Yea it can only be that the plunger is not moving full travel, or
there is something wrong with the yoke.  It is a brand new solenoid
(relay) assembly so unlikely to be that. Might take the center spring
out and see if that lets it push the pinion  out all the way then.
Can't see what is happening inside.  I noticed the new solenoid has a
black  rubber boot on the front of the plunger that mates up to the
hole in the starter housing....the original didn't have this...maybe
that is interfering with the plunger travel somehow? I am not sure why
this is needed....as a moisture seal?   Thanks,  Jim
Clive Turnbull - 25 Apr 2005 22:45 GMT
On April 24 2005, you wrote:

> Yea it can only be that the plunger is not moving full travel, or
> there is something wrong with the yoke.  It is a brand new solenoid
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> that is interfering with the plunger travel somehow? I am not sure why
> this is needed....as a moisture seal?   Thanks,  Jim

Jim
Could be the seal stopping the travel as you say. Anyway you could do a
test without it. It is just to stop rubbish getting in really. Could do
without it but it should fit without causing problems. If the fork was
wrong way round would it foul the rubber then or does it look the same
either way? Can't be much! Keep in touch Cheers Clive
Paul McKechnie - 27 Apr 2005 12:17 GMT
First, If the starter motor runs when the sol is energized, the plunger is
moving all the way.  There is a button in the sol that is pushed by the
plunger.  This switch is what starts the starter motor running.   If you can
move the drive gear all the way to the bushing by hand than there is
something wrong with the fork.  You should never be able to move the drive
gear by hand more than a fraction of an inch, maybe .050 in or so.
Check the engagement of the fork and the drive gear.

Paul
Paul's Auto Electric

> On April 24 2005, you wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> wrong way round would it foul the rubber then or does it look the same
> either way? Can't be much! Keep in touch Cheers Clive
pool man - 25 Apr 2005 02:47 GMT
when it come to starters use only good stuff.

i my self would have replaced the whole assembly . but i have the $ to
do it.
they ain't cheap but the cheap starters don't last long

the case, minus a few cans!
 
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