Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: erickmarciano on March 23, 2006, 22:11:11

Title: problems with starter
Post by: erickmarciano on March 23, 2006, 22:11:11

here we go
once in a while when i crank the car I can hear the motor from the starter spin freely and not engage . the starter motor from the outside looks good with a recent bosch sticker <I guess it was replaced before I purchased it>.should i just replace the solinoid or the whole starter ?can it be done with the starter in place
thanks


1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

Title: Re: problems with starter
Post by: ja17 on March 23, 2006, 22:47:34

Hello Erick,

The fact that your starter spins means that the solenoid most likely is good. The solenoid must retract to engage the contacts for the starter to spin.

The starter drive, sometimes called bendex, is the ratcheting drive gear which is probably failing and the cause of the spinning. The drive is not locking and allows the starter to spin freely. This problem is often aggravated by cold temperatures. Lack of use and the accumulation of surface rust on the starter shaft is another remote possibility, however if this is the case the problem may fix itself after a few starts.

The problem may take a while to become critical as the frequency of the "spinning" increases over time.

An automotive electric  shop can replace the drive. A complete exchange starter unit may be the more economical. You may just want to try  it yourself, or find an era sedan starter to experiment with, they are nearly all the same.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

Title: Re: problems with starter
Post by: erickmarciano on March 24, 2006, 07:31:40

will a 1974 sl fit?

thanks

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

Title: Re: problems with starter
Post by: ja17 on March 24, 2006, 19:03:59

Hello Erick,
I believe the 1974 107 SL starter  will work fine.



Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio