This very much describes the problem with my Vanagon Westy. I suspect I can get in there, fiddle with it and get it reliable again. SOMETHING must be done, as this Westy is an automatic, and cannot be push-started....
On a somewhat similar note, I've been restoring an '85 Winnebago LeSharo (the Westy's eventual replacement), with the Renault turbo-diesel, and it, too, has had solenoid problems. Only, you can't just go to NAPA or AutoZone and pick up a solenoid or even a whole starter. It's made by Paris-Rhone. Sometimes, AutoZone has it (this is the same engine used in the '85 and'86 Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer with the diesel option, very rare), $125 wilth lifetime guarantee (bless their hearts), but when I needed it last fall, it was out of stock there. So, I tore into the "unrebuildable" solenoid, and found the internal connection between the solenoid actuator post and the internal coil had worked it's way loose. I resoldered it, swaged the casing back on, and, knock on my wooding head, it's been working great since.
NAPA DID have a brush kit for the starter motor, which, for now, has staved off any immediate need for a new starter.
Mark in Lakewood, CO
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
From: vwnate1@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:27:08 +0000
Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Re : Bosch Starter Service
You'll be pleased to learn this is an _extremely_ common failure on ALL Bosch starters and you can fix it at home ~ just buy a new solenoid and install it , take the time to clean up and re grease the starter while it's off the car for service and it'll last you a long long time .
If you're hard headed (I was) you can fiddle with the solenoid proper , polish it's internal contacts until they shine like mirrors , hand polish both the heavy slug and the tube it slides in and lubricate it with greasless lubricant and it'll work a while longer before stranding you again , for reasons I'll never understand , Bosh solenoids get internal wiring resistance problems that preclude acceptable rebuilding .
I , personally , use the NAPA " Echlin " brand solenoids and have never had one fail yet .
-Nate
Jim wrote:
>
> One time without warning, it just didn't work when I turned the key. I verified the solenoid was getting voltage when key turned to start position. I whacked on starter and solenoid case, no help. 4-speed so I jump started it, drove it a few miles, stopped it again at the top of a hill, starter still dead. Jumped it again, drove it to auto parts store, left it running and locked as I went inside and bought the rebuilt one. Drove home with the replacement, parked, turned it off, and just for kicks, tried to start it again...and of course it worked. I swapped it out anyway. I kept the old one, will be taking it to a local rebuild shop, maybe they will see the problem.
>
> Jim
>
>
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