E-Class (W123) 1976-1986: 240D, 280E, 300D, 300TD, 300CD

Key will not turn the starter

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Old 10-31-2014, 12:28 AM
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1980 240d
Question Key will not turn the starter

Hi,
This is driving me nuts.
When the car has sat outside overnight and the temp is below 60 degrees (not that cold) I turn the key (at 6:30 in the morning) the glow lugs come on and heat up but then when I turn the key the little bit more so the starter will engage nothing happens no click, nothing. I can do it a number of times and get the same thing. It does this in neutral, and with the clutch held down, I have tried different combinations of things but none make a difference.
If I wait until the temp comes up to 70 then the car starts fine.
So I leave the key in the on position and go put a screwdriver across the points on the starter and it starts and runs perfect.
If the car is kept in the garage the key works perfect everytime.
The car starts with the key all the time except when it gets a little cool.
The starter, the key tumbler and the battery have been replaced.
I am about to hook up a toggle switch and just jump the starter when it is cold but I thought I would try to keep it original and ask first.

Last edited by 80 Benz; 10-31-2014 at 12:30 AM.
Old 12-01-2014, 02:24 PM
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200D w123
The only thing thats left seems to be your wiring.
Many strange things can happen once wires start earting themselfs. Please let me know if you find out what caused this.
Old 12-24-2014, 09:47 AM
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1983 300 SD/1984 300 CD
Sounds as if you have a Neutral Safety Switch issue. An intermittent connection, so sometimes it'll work, sometimes not.

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