marlinspike

I went to start the car, and as soon as I touched the start position (before it even began cranking) I heard a metallic thwack and then the starter stopped. I checked the fluids and they all looked/smelled good. I gave it another go, and this time when I hit the start position, nothing happened other than the dashlights dimmed (I guess from current draw going to the starter), but there was no cranking or starter spinning or anything like that. I tried it a few more times with the same result. On the fourth try the engine started as soon as I hit the start position, but it was making that thwacking sound, so I immediately shut it down (immediate as in after less than one second). I tried it one more time and it started up fine and ran normally. Any ideas on what this was?

Fabrik8

Starter probably got stuck instead of disengaging properly.

marlinspike

Ok, so it looks like I have a wonky starter solenoid. On cold starts its also sticks for a couple of seconds causing a clanking sound. Here's my question - will putting this off for a month or so until I have the money/time to fix it cause any damage to my car?

nftuatn

if it destroys the flexplate then yes....your looking at removing the tranny to replace it...

spend a few hundred now or a grand or so later

JETSWU87

so uh...what kind of car? That helps

nftuatn

prolly his mercedes...i think its a 380sd...

Fabrik8

Yeah, just about the only thing that it can damage is the ring gear, so that's what you need to look at possibly replacing.

marlinspike

380SE...5.6...and then some lol.

marlinspike

You'll note I never say the car...people ask and then I say it and they go "oh, that doesn't help at all" because nobody here knows anything about old benzes.