kennethskarstei

Hi.

I have an 1998 Mercedes ML320

today i stopped the car and it would not start up again.
the engine will not crank.
the K8 relay activates when turning the ignition key but there is no click from the solonoid valve on the starter.
the car has plenty of battery power.

should I go ahead and purchase a new starter or is there anything else you guys think of that may cause this?

DrX

You could check the ground cable from the starter. Sometimes they get corroded, especially if you live near the ocean or in an area where salt is applied to roads.

The connection at the battery negative terminal is also prone to corrosion. You could disconnect it and clean it. A bad connection could allow sufficient current to power your relays but not enough to run the starter.

CLLARK1

Check if when key is in the start position if the tach jumps to the right.If it does the computer believes the engine has started and disrupts current to the starter.There is a Mercedes bulletin addressing this problem.Date: August 18, 2008Order No.: S-B-15.30/68 Starting System - Tip Start Cycle Ends Prior to Start-Up.It states
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of the tip start cycle ending prior to the engine starting, this may be due to the tachometer momentarily jumping above 2000 rpm causing the starting procedure to be aborted before the engine starts. To resolve, perform the below steps.
1. Remove starter per WIS instructions below. 2. Lightly coat teeth of starter ring gear with paste, A000 989 76 51. Note: Only use the paste specified. Do not apply too much paste as it can cause interference with the signal picked up by position sensor L5. 3. Reinstall starter .The grease is very expensive and difficult to find.I spoke to my local MB service manager and was told I could use never seize.It worked great and I no longer have the problem.