W204 C250 CDI no crank

[Johnny5C]

Hello! Just a quick message to ask some questions while I wait to get back to my car.
Long story short.
2010 W204 C250 CDI. 200k miles
Long journey 6 weeks ago. Battery light. Diagnosed, alternator changed.
4 weeks ago. Difficulty/slow cranking on cold starts. Usually 1st start of the day. Then fine.
Last week. Slow cranking, rough start.
This week. Slow cranking. No start. Cranked until the battery died.
Wouldn't crank with a jump start.
Maybe I killed the battery?
Today. Changed battery. No cranking.
Car clicks on ignition, but nothing else.
Steering wheel is free to move.
Car in gear, gave it a rock to free starter.
(Not stuck steering lock motor, although I thought that's what it was).
There's a 20A starter fuse I haven't checked yet. But surely the cranking power doesn't go through a 20A fuse?
I ask this because I'm frustrated sitting on the the sofa waiting for my wife to give me a lift to my car. It let me down 10 miles from home.
It could be the fuse. It could be the starter.
Any thoughts or things I can do appreciated.
Cheers

 

[toteimerced]

Maybe the car doesn’t think it is in park.

 

[markjay]

If the solenoid clicks, then the car 'thinks' that everything is fine and the starter motor should turn.

It sounds to me that there's an issue with the battery (or alternator), or with the starter motor.

Check also loose or corroded contacts on the starter motor or the negative earth connection from the battery to the car's chassis.

These are the only things I can think of that can cause the starter motor to not turn at all when the solenoid is engaged.

 

[Johnny5C]

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to say it is a manual gearbox.
So, I'm left with a few options.
Check the 20A fuse. If that's OK, try and bump start it.
Is this a good idea on an OM651?
Or tow to the garage. I hate towing.

 

[Dodipops]

Starter motor or I think there’s a fusible link built in to the cable from the battery to the starter (might be wrong but I’m sure I’ve heard that before)

Bump start won’t narrow that down but will prove it’s a starter circuit issue