Hello. I hope everyone is doing well! I have replaced the following elements: New H8 AGM Battery, New Radiator Core, New Oil Intercooler, Benz Air Compressor, Starter replaced with a rebuilt Bosch Starter. I had a starter failure (no click or crank) , bought a rebuilt Bosch Starter and had the mechanic install it. Upon running the Suspension diags on a Youcanic device, the car auto started and initially hearing grinding noise. Car was re-run for a couple of minutes and grinding sound persisted. Replaced also the left rear air strut. Again, car was restarted, grinding noise persisted and shutdown car. Funny thing, when the car is jacked from the front side, the car is started, the grinding noise is gone and the car was run for 15 minutes grind free. Upon placing the car back on the ground, the grinding noise was back.

The mechaninc tried to prove out that there is a fault in the rebuilt starter whereby the Starter Bendix may not be going back in and spinning. When the ignition switch is killed, the car ignition is still on when the key ignition is placed in the off position. He also demonstrated on the old starter, whereby when the ignition switch power was killed, the dismounted starter was still spinning with only the batter power running.

I ordered a new Bosch starter and hopefully the noise and any issues will be gone. The mechanic also said that the flexplate teeth or gears look good with none missing. Any thoughts or assist from you folks on this forum would great help. Feeling guilty of this thought - Thinking of converting to a Lexus also [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img] as my 2003 Lexus LS 430 only had brakes / pads , radiator, both rear bearings replaced and the car runs with no issues. It is currently my daughters car.

how does jacking up a car make the starter behave ?

the air pump for air tragic suspension (std fitment - ABC even more fun and its a big cost option when buying new) is on the front right - maybe the pump is really noisy and jacking it up means it stops running ?

sounds like you tech is emptying your wallet before understanding if the car is worth spending money on - that's not the best way.....

read it more thoroughly - the merc ignition switch is a different beast to most cars - once instigated it cranks till it gets a signal to tell it to stop - sounds like this is muddled.... the ignition switch is quite a common failure point on most mercs...


still doesn't explain why it stops when you jack it up....

Botus, Thanks for the feedback. Will look into the Ignition Switch.