Expert: Sean Halliday - 4/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: Having problems with 1988 Mercedes 230E. When turning the key it just makes a click sound and does not start. Had the starter motor checked and it's 100%.

Please help

ANSWER: Does your starter have a solenoid ?Or is the solenoid on the firewall?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Starter has a solenoid. I took the starter to auto electrician - they tested it and said it's fine.

Answer
Get someone to turn the key and verify the starter is getting power,and the "click"is definately coming from the starter.I am assuming the battery is fully charged and if so then the only other possibilities are the ring gear is faulty or a bad connection,earth is usually a common fault.Check all connections especially battery,chasis,engine earths.If all of this checks ok,i would try a different starter as i have known starters to seem ok on the test but have a dead spot on the armature and dont work sometimes on the car.Did you try hitting the starter while turning the key?Tap it with a small hammer while someone turns the key,not too hard though.Inspect the ring gear for missing or broken teeth,using a flashlight with the starter removed rotate the gear by a pry bar or screwdriver and see if there are any broken or missing.