Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re : Starter No Crank

I hear I did that even had 2 vehicles jumping,but low water would not let current pass.

From: "audiolaw@aol.com" <audiolaw@aol.com>
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, January 2, 2012 10:55 AM
Subject: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re : Starter No Crank

Speaking of time wasted (he says, sitting at a computer in a farmhouse in Maine, overlooking fields running down to the estuary with the eagles and hawks riding the winter drafts), Nate is right about doing the tests in the right order.

One test that often gets overlooked it that of popping the lids off the battery cells and checking to see if the water level is sufficient. Too many batteries have gotten junked as 'bad' because one or more cells have low water.

If one or more cells are low, there is going to be bad performance, and Nate's 12 hour, low current charge is not going to help.

If one or more cells is low, fill them with DISTILLED water. THEN charge the battery.

If the battery then functions, you will have saved yourself lots of time and messy testing, not to mention the cost of a replacement battery or solenoid.

Tom

In a message dated 1/2/2012 7:48:09 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, vwnate1@yahoo.com writes:

O.K. , it's time to break out the test light and voltmeter .

If this a W-116 , W-123 or W-126 as the basic testing remains the same but the location of things differs slightly .

In any case , use the test light at the junction box near the right inner fender , to see if it lights when you turn the key to the
" start" position ~ if so , connect the voltimiter across the battery terminals and set it to the 20 VDC range , at rest it must be 12 volts or above , when you turn to the " start " position it should remain above 10 VDC as the engine is cranking ~ if it drops below 10 VDC and the engine desn't crank , the battery is either discharged or going bad , try slow chaging it @ 15 amps or less for 12 hours then see if it starts .

If the voltage remains @ 11VDC and the test light lit up , but the starter still didn't crank , the solenoid is Kaput ~ replace it or buy a rebuilt starter and inspect it closely to ensure it has a NEW solenoid as Bosch solenoids don't rebuild well . this usually means buyng a BOSCH Branded on the box rebuilt starter .

More to come after this basic testing is done , remember : do the tests in the correct order or all is time wasted .

-Nate
Greg wrote:
>
> My 1984 300SD wont start turn the key and nothing. Idk why but I think its the shifter is not registering that it is in park. Its happened to me in the past then I just give it a wiggle and set to go but this time it wont. Any suggestions.
>