Had to Buy a New Starter

[ilmor]

Hello all, I thought I would share this experience with you. Searching through this forum I don't see where this has happened to anyone else so maybe I'm the first!

When to start my Solera 2 weeks ago, and all I get it a click. I checked that battery and its fine. I tried to jump start it but that didn't work. Checked the known "fuse" issue and that was ok. So, I got under the engine while my wife turned on the ignition and hit the starter with the end of a long breaker bar. VROOMM she starts right up. Bad starter!

Unfortunately I had no other choice due to time constraints than to take it to my closest Sprinter dealer. I did not turn it off after it started, and drove it directly there. They tested / verifed and yes, indeed the starter was bad. New starter cost at Mercedes dealer? You don't want to know. Ok it was $942 labor & material. OUCH!!!!

I just paid and tried to forget it. If I had had the time, tools, etc. I maybe could have done the job myself for the cost of a rebuilt starter (they run $150 - $300 from what I've seen). A friend of mine who is a mechanic in another state said he would have charge $500 - $600 for the job.

As I type this, however, I am enjoying yet another nice camping trip in my Solera w/ family. It's worth it!

[Kuba]

Everything for sprinters is expensive. Spoke to many people with one and the either love it or hate it.

[hkreck]

Sorry to hear your trouble, what year Solera? Dealer ships always do screw people over on cost. I had a water valve go out on my toilet the over day had to go to a RV dealer $50 later I had the part and replaced it myself. But $50 for a piece of plastic! :-0

[RVing555]

Originally Posted by ilmor

Hello all, I thought I would share this experience with you. Searching through this forum I don't see where this has happened to anyone else so maybe I'm the first!

When to start my Solera 2 weeks ago, and all I get it a click. I checked that battery and its fine. I tried to jump start it but that didn't work. Checked the known "fuse" issue and that was ok. So, I got under the engine while my wife turned on the ignition and hit the starter with the end of a long breaker bar. VROOMM she starts right up. Bad starter!

Unfortunately I had no other choice due to time constraints than to take it to my closest Sprinter dealer. I did not turn it off after it started, and drove it directly there. They tested / verifed and yes, indeed the starter was bad. New starter cost at Mercedes dealer? You don't want to know. Ok it was $942 labor & material. OUCH!!!!

I just paid and tried to forget it. If I had had the time, tools, etc. I maybe could have done the job myself for the cost of a rebuilt starter (they run $150 - $300 from what I've seen). A friend of mine who is a mechanic in another state said he would have charge $500 - $600 for the job.

As I type this, however, I am enjoying yet another nice camping trip in my Solera w/ family. It's worth it!

Yes, ilmor, what year is your rig? Thanks for sharing your story. I'll need to add to my collection of tools that I'll carry with me.

[ilmor]

Originally Posted by hkreck

Sorry to hear your trouble, what year Solera? Dealer ships always do screw people over on cost. I had a water valve go out on my toilet the over day had to go to a RV dealer $50 later I had the part and replaced it myself. But $50 for a piece of plastic! :-0

It is a 2009 model. The work was done at my local Mercedes Sprinter dealer. Yes, would have done it myself if possible!