starter diagnostics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
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1999 E430
starter diagnostics
I am having a starter issue. Frequently, when starting, the engine will turn about a half a rotation and stop. When I try again, it will turn over and start. I have a one year old battery, and have done a load test on it. It is good, as well as the charging system. I would like to test the current draw from the starter. The instructions say to disconnect the ignition to do this. How do I disconnect the ignition? The generic instructions also say a reading of 9 volts or less indicates excessive current draw. Am I on the right track with this? Thanks.
PS: I have 170k on the engine.
PS: I have 170k on the engine.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
There is a Mercedes tech bulletin dealing with this. Had to do with too much drag between the ring gear and the starter gear. Solution involved placing a bit (a little bit!) of grease on the starter gear. Most folks found that a PITA so they pulled the cover off of the ring gear and smeared small amounts at various locations around the gear.
Seems that corrosion caused too much drag which caused the starter motor to draw too much current which caused the ECU to determine it was a fault condition and turn off the starter motor.
May not be your issue but common enough for Mercedes to produce a tech bulletin on it....
Here it is (and the poster had an E430 with the same issue as yours):
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...ml#post5332778
Seems that corrosion caused too much drag which caused the starter motor to draw too much current which caused the ECU to determine it was a fault condition and turn off the starter motor.
May not be your issue but common enough for Mercedes to produce a tech bulletin on it....
Here it is (and the poster had an E430 with the same issue as yours):
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...ml#post5332778
Last edited by bbirdwell; Feb 3, 2015 at 08:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
1999 E430
I tested the starter current load and it is OK. I have been living on the beach in Galveston for last two years, so corrosion is very much a possibility. So, I don't need to pull the starter to apply the anti-seize?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
Likes: 1,317
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Plutoe's wish is my command...
Tech bulletin attached!
@huskerden: remove the cover over the flywheel ring gear. Brush a very small amount of lube on various locations of that ring gear (you will most likely have to turn the engine over several times). As the starter engages, over time, the lubricant will be distributed over the ring gear teeth.
Hope this helps. This is a great forum.
Tech bulletin attached!
@huskerden: remove the cover over the flywheel ring gear. Brush a very small amount of lube on various locations of that ring gear (you will most likely have to turn the engine over several times). As the starter engages, over time, the lubricant will be distributed over the ring gear teeth.
Hope this helps. This is a great forum.
Last edited by bbirdwell; Feb 4, 2015 at 09:52 PM.
