My '84 300D turbo wouldn't start the other day, then a few minutes later it started. Then, the next day, after filling up with gas it wouldn't start again. I figured it was the battery.

So, I get a new battery, and there are no problems, but it does seem like it cranks a little slow still, even with the new battery.

When I picked up the battery, the mechanic wasn't in and his asst. gave it to me. I asked him to check to be sure the alternator wasn't going or gone, and he said if its running after a jump, the alternator is working. I said this is a diesel, does that make a difference, and he said no.

It seems to me that a diesel will run without continuing electrical power. Is this true? What about power steering, etc.?

Also-is there anything else that could cause the intermittent inability to start other than a bad battery or a bad connection to the battery? I truned the key and it seemed exactly like a dead battery, but I'm still alittle suspiscious.