2009 sprinter intermittent starter problem

[Acelec]

No wd40

WD40 in the ignition is a massive no no been there done it BAD ADVICE DO NOT DO IT :fail

 

[billdastone]

have this problem with my sprinter, ie intermittent starter failure, lights come on, battery is good, starts first time when it starts then sometimes nothing. breakdown guy came out to me and started v. quick with a hammer. got me to hold the key in starting position while he tapped the starter motor. three taps and it started. the solenoid on the starter was sticking. since then it has started plenty. failed to started and then freed itself and once with a hammer (tried tapping it with a metal rod - not enough weight) he said I'd need a new starter but I'm looking at getting the solenoid off and checking for corrosion etc - trying to see if i can get the solenoid off without taking the whole starter off

 

[Lee1965]

Hi
We had intermitant starting problems with our 2007 Rimor Sprinter motorhome ( see previous post for symptoms ) which was eventually cured by changing the fuse board and relays under the dashboard. Apparently the dealer said that there was corrosion on the connections, even though at the time it was only 3 years old. If your lights on the dash, when you turn the key on, start to behave differently and nothing happens when you turn the key it's worth checking the relays.
We have since had a starter motor fault. All the dashboard lights work as they should but when you turn the key there is just a click which you can hear and nothing happens.
The starter motor I believe is a sealed unit and apparently is a common fault on Sprinters. Ours failed when it was 8 years old and done 26k in our motorhome.
The relays haven't caused any problems since the fuse board change in 2010 but we now keep a towel inside along the dash top to stop condensation going down towards the fuse board.
Hope this helps.
Lee