04 C230 Kompressor starter motor clicks but not turning
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 22
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From: Roselle Park, NJ
87-190D 2.5 5-Speed Manual, 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport - 6-Speed Manul
04 C230 Kompressor starter motor clicks but not turning
This is a 04 C230 Kompressor with 6-speed manual, with 152,000 miles.
I drove home during a heavy rain today, no problem on the road. But on my way to the gym, I stopped the engine during a known long wait at a particular traffic light. The car won't start again. Jumping didn't help. Finally I got it towed back home.
Checking the battery, it's fully charged. I then let my wife turn the ignition switch on. From the engine compartment, I heard a clear click, followed by a low whining sound when the key is turned to start position.
What should I look next? The fuses looks fine. But I don't know which relay is responsible for starter. such is also not reflected in the in the fuse chart.
thanks much for sharing any insight.
Ben
I drove home during a heavy rain today, no problem on the road. But on my way to the gym, I stopped the engine during a known long wait at a particular traffic light. The car won't start again. Jumping didn't help. Finally I got it towed back home.
Checking the battery, it's fully charged. I then let my wife turn the ignition switch on. From the engine compartment, I heard a clear click, followed by a low whining sound when the key is turned to start position.
What should I look next? The fuses looks fine. But I don't know which relay is responsible for starter. such is also not reflected in the in the fuse chart.
thanks much for sharing any insight.
Ben
Last edited by BenZ190D; Jul 18, 2016 at 10:25 PM. Reason: mis-spelling
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 527
Likes: 20
From: Carolinas
2005 C230K SS
Your starter is going out....or it's already toast. Get a long handle breaker bar or something similar and tap the starter as someone cranks it...don't short anything or fry yourself lol
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 22
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From: Roselle Park, NJ
87-190D 2.5 5-Speed Manual, 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport - 6-Speed Manul
thanks much for the insight. I'll try hammering on it today. I read that the starter motor can be renewed by just replacing the worn-out carbon brush. Years ago I did that on my old 87-190D alternator when it worn out, for just $2 by replacing the carbon brush in the voltage regulator. But it seems the Kompressor is magnitude more difficult to repair than the old 190D.
Can anyone please share some experience over the do-ability of the job of replacing the starter motor?
Can anyone please share some experience over the do-ability of the job of replacing the starter motor?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 527
Likes: 20
From: Carolinas
2005 C230K SS
It's not difficult at all. From underneath you'll need to detach the bracket holding the AC lines to the trans bell housing then disconnect the steering linkage where it goes into the rack. Then it's just disconnect the wires going to the starter and remove a couple of bolts. Took me less than 30 min to remove...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 22
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From: Roselle Park, NJ
87-190D 2.5 5-Speed Manual, 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport - 6-Speed Manul
thanks so much RWDlifer. that's very encouraging knowledge. I tried today to locate the starter motor, but couldn't find it. When I face the vehicle, on the right side bottom there is a device looks like the one in the manual. But the manual says it's lower at the right side, typically it's relative to the seated driver. so I'm a little confused, and didn't want to hammer the wrong thing. Will open the bottom panel tomorrow, and report back.
Ben
Ben
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Roselle Park, NJ
87-190D 2.5 5-Speed Manual, 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport - 6-Speed Manul
Yes, I have M271. I managed to remove the steering column end of the steering coupler, but unable to separate it from the steering gear input shaft, it is snug tight. is a special tool needed? I found nothing to pry against and don't want to damage the plastic cap.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Remove the bolt connecting the 2 sides of the shaft.
Push up on shaft. It will drop down, I made a you tube video on this.
Push up on shaft. It will drop down, I made a you tube video on this.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Jul 21, 2016 at 04:48 AM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 22
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From: Roselle Park, NJ
87-190D 2.5 5-Speed Manual, 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport - 6-Speed Manul
thank you. I was able to separate this end by prying open the securing square clip, but not the rack-and-pinion end. I removed the bolt, but it is snug tight, and there is nothing to pry against.
Last edited by BenZ190D; Jul 21, 2016 at 10:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 22
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From: Roselle Park, NJ
87-190D 2.5 5-Speed Manual, 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport - 6-Speed Manul
thanks to your video, I avoided removing the lower end of the steering coupler, could wiggle out the starter. Still I must curse the guy who designed such a painful configuration. he should do a few of starter replacement jobs to see himself how awful it is.
The carbon brush is complete gone, no wonder hammering on it didn't work. Will put in a new carbon brush kit tomorrow. Looks good for the weekend.
this is partially my own making as I had the habit of turning off the engine at traffic lights I know that take a long time to turn green. it turn out lowering CO2 emission didn't play well with my wallet and soring joint from lying hours under the car besieged by hundreds of mosquitos
The carbon brush is complete gone, no wonder hammering on it didn't work. Will put in a new carbon brush kit tomorrow. Looks good for the weekend.
this is partially my own making as I had the habit of turning off the engine at traffic lights I know that take a long time to turn green. it turn out lowering CO2 emission didn't play well with my wallet and soring joint from lying hours under the car besieged by hundreds of mosquitos
Last edited by BenZ190D; Jul 21, 2016 at 11:12 PM. Reason: add a picture
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 22
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From: Roselle Park, NJ
87-190D 2.5 5-Speed Manual, 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport - 6-Speed Manul
Should starter motor gears be greased?
I'm rebuilding my starter motor with new carbon brush set. I see the gears inside the unit are dry and clean. I wonder if I should grease them before installing back.
I do worry grease might make them slip, as in my Craftsman drill, which slips easily after I dropped lubricant to the gears.
Any insight would be appreciated.
I do worry grease might make them slip, as in my Craftsman drill, which slips easily after I dropped lubricant to the gears.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 22
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From: Roselle Park, NJ
87-190D 2.5 5-Speed Manual, 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport - 6-Speed Manul
Starter motor not turning after rebuild with new brushes
2004 C230 Kompressor Sport with 152,000 miles.
Finally, I could reassemble the motor with new brushes. But to my surprise, when I apply briefly 12V from a battery. The shoot-out gear doesn't even move, nor do I see spark from the contact as it did before the rebuild.
Could my pre-rebuild test with jumper cable damaged the circuit? What can I do to isolate the problem?
thanks much!
Finally, I could reassemble the motor with new brushes. But to my surprise, when I apply briefly 12V from a battery. The shoot-out gear doesn't even move, nor do I see spark from the contact as it did before the rebuild.
Could my pre-rebuild test with jumper cable damaged the circuit? What can I do to isolate the problem?
thanks much!
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