Intermittent starting issue, advice please?

[mr tibbs]

Hi all
We have an E320, S210 2002 and it has been running great until the other morning when we jumped into it and started it. The motor turned a couple of times then there was a whizzing sort of sound and the motor stopped cranking. I turned the ignition key to Off and there was a slight clunk and the starter motor stopped rotating. I retried the key and it started properly?
Since this happened it has done it a half a dozen times and I am thinking I should replace the starter motor before it lets go and leaves us stranded somewhere.
Is this fault likely to be the starter motor gone daft or is there some other component that would cause this fault?
Looking forward to your replies
TIA

Keith

 

[R W]

Keith. I had exactly the same with mine, it had been doing it for weeks & gradually getting worse. I had to remove the starter while looking for the coolant heater to disconnect it, due to a different fault. While the starter was off the drive was very dry & rusty, I lubricated it & the starter was fine for the last couple of weeks I used the car.I assume it was sticking & not engaging properly. Maybe someone will be along to give more advice.

 

[mr tibbs]

Thanks for the reply RW, it may be worth getting it pulled out to have a look. How easy is it to remove?

Keith

 

[R W]

Its easy to remove but you need access to underneath the car, remove under tray then access is fairly easy.

 

[mr tibbs]

Thanks again for the reply. Just ordered a new Bosch starter motor and will have it fitted tomorrow, hopefully that will solve the problem.
Keith

 

[mr tibbs]

New starter motor fitted, I guess because the old one was intermittent we will know in a few days if everything is good again... While in the garage we had the tracking checked, it was 3 deg out each side at the front, so I am hoping that we will not be ripping the fairly new tyres apart any more, might even get a few more yards to the gallon

Keith