Please help. I have a 1994 S420. It seems it may have a blown head gasket. However, right now it does not start. I turn the key and the lights on the dash illuminate as though it was going to do a normal start. However, it does not crank. I hear a faint clicking sound coming from under the hood.Other than that, no response. I have been told it needs a new starter, then I read about the shut off switch on the side of the AT. I also read about the IGN. Please tell me if it sounds like the starter and exactly where I can find the shut off switch and the ign that I may check them both (and any other tips to start the car again). The last time I had it running it overheated and I turned it off to let it cool down. It has not started since. The battery is new. I also replaced a battery in the infared remote and the remote still does not work. Thanks.DaddyZ7

 

Though the battery is new, I would check the connections to ground (cable from battery and to alternator and starter), the battery output, the voltage regulator in the alternator, then the starter. All this can be checked visually and with a VOM, but your best bet would be an automotive electrical specialist.

Intelligent cars are not helped with R/R by trial and error. If push comes to shove have it scanned.

 

Thanks my cables have good connections. I wanted to do preliminary testing myself. I want to try the ttap on the starter trick. However the starter is not visible. Where can I find It?

 

I've located the starter. Tapping on it has not done any good. Any ideas anyone? Please.

 

If you think the starter is fine try putting the car in nuetral and starting it. If it starts it may be your neutral safety switch. If that doesnt work try putting a positive connection to the small wire on the starter and see if it turns over or put a circuit tester to the small positive wire and see if it lights up when someone holds the key in start position. If it turns over with direct positive wire, then you would have to look at why its not getting power when you turn the key over. If you take the circuit tester and it doesnt light up while someone holds the key in start position then you have to look at the starter solenoid or starter relay. hope this helsp

 

im having the same exact problem as daddyz7 but without the over heating problem. i dont know where to find the starter on my 1994 s420 or wat it looks like? i did the same thing bought a new battery and just that faint noise of it trying to click over.... if anyone can describe to me where the starter is or wat it looks like i would appriciate it very much.

 

Hi George. I am not a mechanic but I will tell you what my experience has ben and what my mechanic has done. The starter looks like a giant bullet perhaps ten inches long and 4 - 5 inches in diameter and can be found under the vehicle approximately in the vicinity of the passenger side door handle If you reach under the vehicle12 to 15 inches, you will find the starter shielded by a metal plate.

The starter was not my only problem...However, rebuilding the starter and tuning up my vehicle caused it to start virtually effortlessly.

Subsequent to that, I discovered I had a blown head gasket. I replaced he motor and now it drives like a dream.

Hope this helps

DaddyZ7

 

I am a new member so this will most likely be your least informed response.. but Here goes I had the exact same problem with an '99 S420 that I inherited from my parents.. several months ago. Sometimes it would start just fine. Other times what you are describing . What I finally figured out there were two keys on the key chain that would fit in the starrter slot and allowed me to twist the cylinder around. There was a key which was the very elaborate key with all the functionality on it , you know the little buttons and to lock/unlock the door's etc. and another one which had none of that functionality and in place oif all that was just a round circle of plastic. What I realized was whenever the car would actually start I was using the more elaborate key and whenever it wouldn't start I would be using the simpler key which maybe wasn't "programmed."