How to replace the STARTER Step by Step DIY with Pictures

In this repair guide, we will show you how to replace the starter on a Mercedes-Benz. These instructions should apply to several Mercedes-Benz models, such as the C, E, ML, CLS, SLK, CLK-Class, and S-Class. In this case, we replace the starter on a C Class W203. If you have a Mercedes-Benz with a V6  or V8 engine, these instructions will help you. The C-Class is the most difficult of all the other models because there is very little room in the engine bay. Once you remove the starter from the engine block, most mechanics and also the Mercedes-Benz dealer remove the exhaust to get the starter out. Removing the exhaust is a nightmare and adds unnecessary time and cost to this repair. This article will show you a better way to remove the starter without removing the exhaust system.

In our case, the starter was drawing too much current and continually kept blowing the Starter Fuse No. 52. The fuse is a 15 amp fuse, and you can replace it with a 20 amp fuse which may solve the problem. If the 20 amp fuse burns/blows as well, you need to troubleshoot the starter, which was the problem in this case.

If you are stranded in a middle of a desert and suspect that your starter is the problem, we have a tip for you. You can tap the starter with a hammer or rock, in your case, which causes the brushes to make contact again. This could allow your car to start one more time.

The cost to replace the starter on a Mercedes-Benz is between $650 and $1000 when a mechanic or the Mercedes-Benz dealer performs the work for you. You could purchase a starter for less than $100 in some cases, see link below and save a lot by replacing the starter yourself.

Symptoms of a bad starter

• The car won’t crank. All dash lights turn on, but you don’t hear a click.
• The engine doesn’t turn.
• The engine turns very slowly.
• Dash lights dim when you start the car. It could also be a discharged battery. Check that first.
• The starter fuse blows repeatedly.
• Dead silence on the key turn.
• You hear a single click, but the engine won’t turn.
• The engine starts, but it makes a noise. Starter/solenoid stuck.

The main reason why a starter goes bad is that the brushes wear out. In this picture, you can see that the brushes are entirely used. You can open up the starter and replace these brushes if you like, but this post aims to show you how to replace the starter with a new one.

Before you replace the starter, you want to be 100% certain that the starter is the problem with why your car won’t start. Correctly troubleshoot the problem because changing the starter on a Mercedes-Benz is not easy. If you get a click or several clicks when you try to start the car, you may have a weak battery or a bad battery terminal connection. Double-check the battery or try jump-starting the vehicle to see if the car will start.

• Female Torx E Set
• Stubby Short Ratcheting Toolset A must.

Step-by-Step Instructions on how to replace the starter in a Mercedes-Benz with Pictures

1. Open the hood and locate the battery under the cabin air filter. Tip: It is located on the passenger side. 
2. Disconnect the Negative battery terminal. 
3. Raise the car using your jack and make sure to use jack stands. Do not rely only on the jack. Always use jack stands when working under the car.
4. Remove the plastic panel under the engine. You must remove several 8 mm bolts that hold the panel in place.
5. Disconnect the positive electrical line to the starter. The bolt is typically 13 mm. It is a challenge to get to the bolt, but it can be done using several 3/8 extensions and a 3/8 universal joint
   
6. Disconnect the cable that feeds the +12 Volts to the starter. The bolt should be 10 mm.
7. Remove the two starter bolts shown below. The upper bolt will be a little more challenging to remove but using 3/8 extensions and a 3/8 universal joint make the job a lot easier.
8. Here is the trick to removing the starter. The dealer and most mechanics remove the exhaust, but we have a better solution. You can remove the engine mount on the passenger side, giving you room to remove the old starter and install the new one. On other models, such as the S and E class, you may have enough room to pull out the starter without going through this trouble. To remove the engine mount, you will need stubby ratcheting wrench like the ones shown below. The bolt on top of the engine mount can be removed using a 16 mm or a 5/8 inch short ratcheting wrench. Short Ratcheting Wrench Set
   
9. Remove the 16 mm bolt on top of the engine mount. It is located under the exhaust, so it will be difficult to see the top of the bolt, but having the proper wrench turns this task from almost impossible to easy.
10. On the bottom of the engine mount, there should be a 13 bolt that you will need to remove as well.
11. Place a wood block right under the engine, close to the side of the mount you will be removing, and raise the engine one or two inches. This will allow you to remove the engine mount.
12. Remove the engine mount. Motor mounts look like this.Mercedes-Benz Engine / Motor Mount
13. Remove the old starter now that you have room. Replace with the new starter.
14. We recommend installing the motor mount before you start fastening the starter bolts. This way, the engine weight is not on the wood block and jack you put underneath the engine earlier. Suppose you would rather have more room to work on the starter; that is fine. Rember that the engine is only supported via the jack on one side, and there is a risk of physical damage if the engine comes off that support.
15. Fasten the two bolts that hold the starter in place using Female Torx E Socket. 
16. Connect the two electrical cables that go to the starter. Typically the heavier gauge wire is a 13 mm nut, and the solenoid start wire is held in place by the 10 mm nut.
17. Once you faster the starter bolts, ensure the two bolts for the engine mounts are tight. Install everything else in reverse order.
18. Reconnect the battery negative terminal and place the battery cover/ air filter housing back in place.

Torque Tightening Specifications

• Positive cable to the starter, typically a 13 mm bolt. 15 Nm
• Positive cable for the starter solenoid, typically a 10 mm bolt. 6 Nm
• Two E-Torx bolts hold the starter to the engine block. 40-45 NM

Related How to video

Here is a video on replacing the starter in an A-Class. We wish it were this easy in the V6 and V8 Mercedes-Benz engines. The procedures are similar; the only challenge is getting the starter out, but using our tip on removing the engine mount instead of the exhaust will make this job easier.

What Scanner Can I use to Troubleshoot Starter Mercedes-Benz Problems?

If you’re experiencing problems with your Mercedes-Benz, a YOUCANIC full system diagnostic scanner can help you troubleshoot the issues. This advanced diagnostic tool can read and interpret the fault codes stored in your car’s computer system, providing detailed information about any problems with the engine, transmission, brakes, or other critical systems.

The YOUCANIC scanner can also perform diagnostic tests on various systems, including the ABS, airbag, and steering systems, to help pinpoint the root cause of any issues. With this information, you can make more informed decisions about repairs and maintenance, saving time and money on costly repairs.

Reference Part Number

Replaces these part numbers:
ARROWHEAD	SBO0172
BOSCH	0-001-108-197, 0-001-108-403, 0-001-108-404
BOSCH REMAN EUROPE	0-986-019-500, 0-986-021-280
CARGO	113282
CHRYSLER	5097072AA
J & N	410-24055
LESTER	17852, 17965
LETRIKA (ISKRA) AFTERMARKET	IS 9424
MERCEDES BENZ	005-151-65-01, 006-151-05-01
REMY REMAN	SR107253
WAI	2-2556-BO, 2-2992-BO

Applicable Models

Applications:

MAKE MODEL YEAR ENGINE CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2004 320 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2005 3.2L(195) V6 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2006 3.2L(195) V6 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2007 3.2L(195) V6 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2008 3.2L(195) V6 MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2001 280 MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2001 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2002 2.6L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2002 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2003 2.6L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2003 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2004 2.6L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2004 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2005 2.6L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2005 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2006 2.5L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2006 3.0L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2006 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2007 2.5L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2007 3.0L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2007 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2008 2.5L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2008 3.0L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2008 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2009 2.5L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2009 3.0L MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 2009 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2001 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2002 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2003 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2004 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2005 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2006 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2007 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2008 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ CLK CLASS 2009 350 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2001 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2002 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2003 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2004 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2005 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2006 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2007 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2008 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 2009 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ ML CLASS 2001 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ ML CLASS 2002 3.2L MERCEDES-BENZ ML CLASS 2003 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ ML CLASS 2003 3.7L MERCEDES BENZ ML CLASS 2004 3.7L MERCEDES-BENZ ML CLASS 2005 3.7L MERCEDES BENZ ML CLASS 2006 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ ML CLASS 2007 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ ML CLASS 2008 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ ML CLASS 2009 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ R CLASS 2006 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ R CLASS 2007 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ R CLASS 2008 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ R CLASS 2009 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS 2006 3.7L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2001 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2002 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2003 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2004 3.2L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2005 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2006 3.0L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2006 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2007 3.0L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2007 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2008 3.0L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2008 3.5L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2009 3.0L MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS 2009 3.5L

TAGS: C 240 C 320 C 32 C 55 E 320 E 430 E 500 E 420 CLK 320 CLK 500 CLK 320 S 430 S 500 S55 CLS500 CLS55 AMG CLS550 SLK 320 SLK 350 ML CLASS Crossfire