Time to change the starter - need DIY tips
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 63
From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
Time to change the starter - need DIY tips
I have been having starting issues lately. There's is a few seconds of delay frequently when I start up the car, from turning the key fob to cranking up the engine.
So, I figured it was the battery and replaced it but same thing. So, that rules out the battery and alternator. I replaced coil packs and plugs 35k miles ago.
I believe it's starter and planning to do it.
I looked around but did not see many youtube stuff.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
So, I figured it was the battery and replaced it but same thing. So, that rules out the battery and alternator. I replaced coil packs and plugs 35k miles ago.
I believe it's starter and planning to do it.
I looked around but did not see many youtube stuff.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
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From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
I don't have access to a lift but have a pair of ramps.
Any recommendation on the starter itself? All I see are rebuilt. If I get it from the dealer I may get a brand new one or no?
Any recommendation on the starter itself? All I see are rebuilt. If I get it from the dealer I may get a brand new one or no?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 462
Likes: 152
From: Panama City, FL
2020 C300, 2013 C250, 2000 Boxster S
Ramps will work just fine. That's what I used when I replaced the starter with a Mercedes rebuilt unit from the dealer. This is the only OE option as Mercedes no longer offer new starters. One of the easiest jobs I've had to perform on the car. Old unit out and new one installed in about 30 minutes (60 minutes if you include jacking up the car onto the ramps because the starter was bad and couldn't be driven up the ramps).
Last edited by alynch; Oct 31, 2021 at 10:40 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2015
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From: New Zealand
W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
I replaced the starter on my C200K with a new Bosch p/n 0001107540 at about 1/2 price of the same item from the Mercedes dealers. Old one went in the bin and new one on at home in the drive car on axle stands all up probably 2 hrs including jacking and battery disconnect/reconnect.
Shop around for best price new starter.
ie
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18474509204...QAAOSwyIleXlNd
Shop around for best price new starter.
ie
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18474509204...QAAOSwyIleXlNd
Last edited by NZ-Merc; Oct 31, 2021 at 11:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 63
From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
While troubleshooting the starting issue I noticed oil in the spark plug, only plug that is nearest to the oil filler hole.
I removed all plugs, cleaned out everything and installed new plugs. I will check it again in few days. If there is oild again I will have to replace valve cover gasket and spark plug gaskets.
Now I am doubting if the starting problem was really the starter or one spark plug submerged in oil issue.
I removed all plugs, cleaned out everything and installed new plugs. I will check it again in few days. If there is oild again I will have to replace valve cover gasket and spark plug gaskets.
Now I am doubting if the starting problem was really the starter or one spark plug submerged in oil issue.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 462
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From: Panama City, FL
2020 C300, 2013 C250, 2000 Boxster S
I had the same issue as you initially with several slow starts followed by a no start. I suspected and replaced the battery but the problem persisted. To finally verify the problem was indeed the starter I removed the starter relay and placed the temporary jumper across the 30 & 87 pins. Starter didn't even try to move.
I, too have some oil in a couple of spark plug holes and have a replacement valve cover & spark plug gaskets on the shelf waiting for replacement at the next oil change. It's not likely that a single spark plug would cause a no start but you can temporarily unplug the coil from this plug try to start the engine.
I, too have some oil in a couple of spark plug holes and have a replacement valve cover & spark plug gaskets on the shelf waiting for replacement at the next oil change. It's not likely that a single spark plug would cause a no start but you can temporarily unplug the coil from this plug try to start the engine.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
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From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
@alynch I issue is not no start. Car starts up, the issue is slow or a slight delay in starting.
I tried brand new Interstate battery yesterday and that did not help so I figured it must be the starter, while checking the health of the plugs I came accross the oil in spark plug. I will check again in few days for oil and meantime I will see how the starting is behaving.
I tried brand new Interstate battery yesterday and that did not help so I figured it must be the starter, while checking the health of the plugs I came accross the oil in spark plug. I will check again in few days for oil and meantime I will see how the starting is behaving.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Panama City, FL
2020 C300, 2013 C250, 2000 Boxster S
My car exhibited the same problems over a period of a few weeks with slow or lazy starts. On the last slow start I drove to the parts store to purchase a new battery. After installing the new battery - no start. I towed the car to the house and after checking the wiring from the battery to the starter and bypassing the starter relay I reasoned that the starter was the problem. In the "old days" you could usually bump the car to jolt the starter past the bad part of the windings but that didn't work either.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
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From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
Thank, where did you get the starter from?
In the thread here, poster NZ-Merc mentioned he got the starter from the dealer.
I will get starter tomorrow, not sure online or local place and will try to work on it next week end.
In the thread here, poster NZ-Merc mentioned he got the starter from the dealer.
I will get starter tomorrow, not sure online or local place and will try to work on it next week end.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 462
Likes: 152
From: Panama City, FL
2020 C300, 2013 C250, 2000 Boxster S
I bought mine from the dealer but I think NZ-Merc bought theirs elsewhere. The non-dealer starters were less expensive but the local stores didn't have the part in stock. The dealer had one on the shelf and the car is my daily driver. I also tend to lean more towards OE parts. I usually order MB parts online from an MB dealer out of state who typically offers a 25% discount which makes it competitive with the non-MB parts suppliers.
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Joined: Feb 2015
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From: New Zealand
W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
Thank, where did you get the starter from?
In the thread here, poster NZ-Merc mentioned he got the starter from the dealer.
I will get starter tomorrow, not sure online or local place and will try to work on it next week end.
In the thread here, poster NZ-Merc mentioned he got the starter from the dealer.
I will get starter tomorrow, not sure online or local place and will try to work on it next week end.
I brought my new starter from an on line store which specialised in Bosch parts not a Mercedes dealer, the local Mercedes dealers in New Zealand are very expensive for parts and do not offer any discount.
The cost of the new Bosch starter was just under 1/2 price of the Mercedes replacement starter from the dealers.
If you can work out the p/n required try ebay etc
This is the site I use to work out p/n then I go searching on line for best price.
https://www.ilcats.ru/mercedes/?language=en
Just a FYI, my Mercedes starter just suddenly died while my wife was away on a drive I got the call and had to arrange flat bed tow while I was at work, I think you want to avoid that situation if in doubt replace the starter don't look back.
Last edited by NZ-Merc; Oct 31, 2021 at 11:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
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From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
Well, the starter did not like my bad mouthing, it decided not to crank anymore this morning. I was WFH upstairs when my wife called me from the garage that the car would not crank any more.
I could hear the starter make 1 click sound and split seconds later another click but no start.
I tried thru out the day to start up so that I can put that on the ramp, I prefer working with ramps than jack stands, I don't have any jack stands but I won a floor jack.
So, went out in the evening and bought a set of jack stand.
I also ordered the starter from German auto parts. Good thing they have a warehouse in GA so I will get it tomorrow, hopefully.
I had this issue with my Acura years ago but it did start up after 10+ tries.
I could hear the starter make 1 click sound and split seconds later another click but no start.
I tried thru out the day to start up so that I can put that on the ramp, I prefer working with ramps than jack stands, I don't have any jack stands but I won a floor jack.
So, went out in the evening and bought a set of jack stand.
I also ordered the starter from German auto parts. Good thing they have a warehouse in GA so I will get it tomorrow, hopefully.
I had this issue with my Acura years ago but it did start up after 10+ tries.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 63
From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
I am seeing an issue ever since the car stopped to start.
Starter just clicks. All dash lights turn on.
So, I turned the key yesterday and put the car in N position to move backwards to make room for jack stands.
Today I tried to start but just click from the starter, no start. But, now the car won't shift gears anymore.
Am I still looking at starter, battery, or some voltage issues?
I think all the failed tries put the car in limp mode?
Starter just clicks. All dash lights turn on.
So, I turned the key yesterday and put the car in N position to move backwards to make room for jack stands.
Today I tried to start but just click from the starter, no start. But, now the car won't shift gears anymore.
Am I still looking at starter, battery, or some voltage issues?
I think all the failed tries put the car in limp mode?
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
I am seeing an issue ever since the car stopped to start.
Starter just clicks. All dash lights turn on.
So, I turned the key yesterday and put the car in N position to move backwards to make room for jack stands.
Today I tried to start but just click from the starter, no start. But, now the car won't shift gears anymore.
Am I still looking at starter, battery, or some voltage issues?
I think all the failed tries put the car in limp mode?
Starter just clicks. All dash lights turn on.
So, I turned the key yesterday and put the car in N position to move backwards to make room for jack stands.
Today I tried to start but just click from the starter, no start. But, now the car won't shift gears anymore.
Am I still looking at starter, battery, or some voltage issues?
I think all the failed tries put the car in limp mode?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 435
Likes: 81
From: New Zealand
W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
Just to add to this, check the battery has not gone flat while you have been working on it and that is causing the no shifting of gears.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 63
From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
I replaced the starter today and car started up just fine.
If i have to do it again, it should not take more than 30 min. It take more time to jack up and get all the tools together, lol.
If i have to do it again, it should not take more than 30 min. It take more time to jack up and get all the tools together, lol.
