throughly checked it out last night.

starter is drawing power. did not have a current probe to verify, but the voltage was applied to the starter. the voltage from the battery dropped from 12V to 10.16V when the key was put into the start position.

i slight tap to the solenoid resulted in a start.

ill check connections tonight. hopefully its simple...otherwise ill be checking out Bosch's warranty on starters.

thanks everyone, ill keep you posted.

__________________
-------------------------------
'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car