rhd280
Regular
Date registered: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1982 280GE LWB RHD
Posts: 69
| Solenoid takes 10 seconds to kick in - Your thoughts?
Unable to find an answer using search of forums, Google or AI.
M110 engine, turn key cold. Solenoid clicks, lights come on, fuel pump comes on. Starter does not engage. But if I hold the key rather than release and retry, in about ten to twenty seconds (or more sometimes), the starter engages and the car starts.
Has anyone had this, and what was the cause?
Context:
I recently replaced the M110-994 engine with a 65,000 km M110-984 motor out of a same-year W123 280E. I had a truck mechanic do the hard stuff of pull and replace including the starter wiring. I've been fixing a lot of wiring now - the alternator wire fell off when I touched it. The regulator is pumping out 15.6V. All the lights burned out at the same time (they were inspected and worked in the morning, all burned out that evening when started the car on the ferry to drive home. The cold start valve is not spraying when activated. During the time I am holding the key on, the fuel pump remains on. So a lot of stuff to deal with, but I would like to get the cranking solved first.
I have a new matching solenoid (same brand and number) ready to install, but want to avoid it if I can because it is nasty work without a car hoist (and the mechanics on the island are booked two months in advance).
My sense is the solenoid has carboned up and when I apply juice it warms up, breaks down the resistance and finally turns over the crank. But I don't know enough about solenoids to be sure.
The solenoid has a sticker saying it was made in 2011, and we know the engine has been driven a total of 3 km since then, so it is effectively new, but has been sitting for 14 years, much of that outside in the damp New Zealand climate. |
