1992 240GL Starter solenoid

Sailor61 · Post by **Sailor61** » 29 Nov 2014, 11:05

New member here but long time 240 owner. My '92 240 is giving me trouble starting. I turn the key and sometimes it starts, sometimes I get an unpleasant semi engaged noise and sometimes it's just the whir of the starter motor. My guess is it's the solenoid on the starter that is causing the problem... My thought is that removal and replacement should be a pretty straight forward process, anybody have any direction as to how this is held in place, removal tricks? Is it worth having the existing one rebuilt or should I just put in a new or rebuilt one? The starter motor sounds strong - is there any benefit to simply replacing that entire assembly since I believe the starter and solenoid often come together?

Thanks for the assist.

Tom

Andy for help · Post by **Andy for help** » 29 Nov 2014, 13:45

From what you describe, you solenoid is working. The problem is more likely damaged teeth on a section the starter ring gear. To replace the ring gear will entail removing the transmission. With all due respect I think you can see that this is no small curbside job. However before you or anyone else takes anything apart including the starter one can prove out this diagnosis by rotating the crankshaft a few degrees and see if any of the symptoms change. Also the ring gear can be inspected from underneath the car. Through an inspection opening on the bottom of the bell housing; one can see a small section of the ring gear and also rotate the assembly with a large screw driver or appropriate pry bar.
In summary, if rotating the crankshaft a few degrees (90 or less) allows the starter to engage and crank the engine over, ring gear replacement is indicated.
Andy

Post by **jimmy57** » 29 Nov 2014, 17:16

+1
The solenoid pushes the gear into mesh with flywheel and closes contact to make the motor of the starter power up. The contacts for motor are depressed if the solenoid pulls all the way in which would mean it has pushed the gear into mesh with flywheel if the motor if the electric motor is heard runnng.
The overrunning clutch part of the starter pinion gear (what was once called a "Bendix" in error) can fail and the motor runs and gear is meshed but the motor is spinning w/o turning the pinion. If it is this the teeth can be fine. The only way to know is to remove starter so the flywheel ring gear teeth are visible and then turn engine in small increment to inspect all the teeth.

Sailor61 · Post by **Sailor61** » 29 Nov 2014, 18:01

OK so let me see if I understand this...since I can hear the starter motor running then the solenoid is good, correct? So my next step should be to remove the starter and see what I can of the flywheel then turn the engine to inspect more of the flywheel. If it is this issue with the pinion gear what does that fix entail?

Sailor61 · Post by **Sailor61** » 29 Nov 2014, 18:11

If the ring gear is the problem, since there are points where I can clearly hear nothing but the starter motor running, how would the gear ever advance to a point where I can start the car? It seems to me ...and I'm pretty much a novice...that if that gear was that stripped there would be no way for it to ever advance to a toothed point where it can engage. I'm questioning this because if I attempt to start the car and all I get is the whir of the starter there is no change until I turn the key off and try again. I'm hoping it's the pinion since this problem had a fairly sudden onset and not a gradual one as I suspect would happen with the ring gear...and it's also my need to get this resolved as cheaply as possible that makes me fear the other..

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 29 Nov 2014, 20:05

I've been told than an engine stops at the same place every time. This is the reason for turning the crank slightly then trying to start the engine.

Sailor61 · Post by **Sailor61** » 29 Nov 2014, 20:33

ok...but does my question make sense? if sometimes I can hear just the starter motor spinning then when I turn off the ignition and try it again the car may start... This says to me that something is changing and if the flywheel isn't moving then the only change is the pinion gear referred to above.

Sailor61 · Post by **Sailor61** » 30 Nov 2014, 08:54

OK...I've been under the car to look for an inspection port in the bellhousing and don't see one. What I did see are 2 vents, with white nylon/plastic grids on them, in what I would consider to be the front end of the transmission. These open onto the rear area of the forward end of the transmission where it mates with the bellhousing. Am I missing something?

Andy for help · Post by **Andy for help** » 05 Dec 2014, 12:42

If you are still looking, You should find an opening at the bottom of the bellhousing where it attaches to the block (reinforcement bracket). AW 70, 71, 72 transmissions have this opening to aid in their removal. You should be able to see, inspect and move the ring gear as previously mentioned. Please let us know what you find.