Greetings Everyone,
I've got a 91 350 SDL with 138,000 MI that on ocasion has not been starting. Sometimes I'll turn the key and nothing happens, no clicks or anything, just the normal series of lights. If I wait a half hour or so and come back to the car it seems to turn right over. Last week I was at work turned they key and got a grind out of the starter that sounded similar to when you try and start a car that is already running. I turned they key back to the off position immediately. Tried to turn they key again and nothing, but about an hour later it kicked right over. I am thinking starter motor or starter silinoid. Anything else I should be considering or am I correct in digging a little deeper into the starter and looking for a replacement?

 

Take the starter off and take it to autozone, then go also to another place like NAPA. They will check the starter off the car. Go to both or maybe even 3 places to see what each say. If its a solenoid you could buy the part let the assmeble it or you in the store ort at home drop the starter back in and be rolling again. 138,000 miles is not bad at all. Usually Honda and Toyota Starters last right at 250000 to 300000 with little to no problems so Mercedes has to have probally a desent starter probally a Nippon, or Denso really good. So probaly just the solenoid. Hopefully this helps.