244DL WTF

sstimac · Post by **sstimac** » 28 Jul 2012, 09:06

Been lurking for years, first time post.

I have a 1981 244DL that I purchased a few months ago. I'm having issues starting it sometimes. There isn't a pattern that I've been able to establish. But I have a weird fix and I don't know why.

The car can sit for a week and start right up or sometimes it doesn't. I could drive ten miles and 10% of the time it will start hard three or four turns of the key. 20% of the time it starts hard after sitting over night. Twice It hasn't started for days. The fuel pump is working - I can hear it when the key is at II.

On the passenger side of the car, under the dash there are two female plugs (one black and one blue) that accept a relay that has the same configuration as the fuel pump relay. Both times the car has not started I have put a relay on the blue one and she starts right up. What the hell are those two plugs for?

The car has sat for two weeks (on vacation). This morning I tried to start her up - nothing. Over and over she would not start. I plugged a relay in to the blue one and she started right up. I'm confused and I don't know what her deal is. Any help would be great. Thanks guys.

sstimac · Post by **sstimac** » 28 Jul 2012, 10:30

Just had the battery and alternator tested. Both are good. They dude at AutoZone said that he thinks it's the starter. I'm skeptical this issue has been ongoing for a month and a half or more.

I just had to replace the starter on my 850 wagon. I noticed the problem two weeks ago and it was dead - dead - after two weeks. Maybe the bosch in the 240 grinds on longer when its dieing than than the no-brand OEM in the 850.

Wouldn't be too bad if it was. IPD has them for 125 with a $43 core charge included. Before I buy a starter I'd like some opinions from you folks. Thanks.