i've used the search but i'm new at this and don't know what to check first. my car was running fine. the only changes i made were to:
1. add about 7 oz of Power Service Diesel Kleen to about 15 gals of fuel;
2. change a blown fuse (#7... backup lights, heater, etc.)
3. add 1 pt. Synthetic ATF because the ATF was low

then... (about 2 hours later)...
i drove the car for about 15 miles and could feel a noticeable difference in shifting and acceleration. after about 20 minutes, the antilock light came on so i tested the brakes to make sure they were working-- which they were.
after turning the car off, i tried to restart it and got nothing. No starter grinding-- nothing. The SRS light, lights, heater, and all the battery stuff worked, but from the outside you could not even tell that i had turned the key.
any ideas on how one of these things could have triggered this or does it seem to be something else that is unrelated??

darkman
1987 300D Turbo 191,100

Check the fuses again, if all OK, I would then look at the neutral sensing switch on the transmission, something has to be preventing the key switch from applying power to the starter. Unless the key switch suddenly failed (not unheard of on hi milers) And you can jumper the starter manually to pull in the solenoid (but I haven't tried to do this on the '87 300D yet)

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Do a "Search" using the words won't start or starting problems in the diesel discussion area.

I haven't seen this topic as relating to the W124 very much on the Forum, its possible there is a difference between the interlocks in the '87 and the other (123, 126) diesels.
I learned how to troubleshoot this malady on my 300TD (123) in West Texas, at a gas station where it was just above freezing, a light northerly wind and it was Christmas eve, no tow trucks in the little town, and my insurance company had dispatched a tow from 80 miles away. During the time they were enroute I poked around on the transmission neutral lockout switch and it started. Gave them a call and cancelled the tow. I ran the engine all the way to my destination, adding oil to a running engine with lots of blowby was another experience I had on that trip.
Say, if you decide to sell that '87 I have at least three friends that want one. I just drove mine from SFO to LA and back, fuel mileage was approx. 26 MPG running 70 -80 most of the way. I briefly ran it up to 90 and 100 MPH where it was stable and still had some headroom. What a great car!
DDH
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 295530
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 217300
1987 300D 259000

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Which area in pittsburgh you are? I am from Pittsburgh!
It happened to me at the same day as you are, Sunday evening. The car stopped in the middle of the road. But it was very close to my campus, I pushed te car to the side with the help of my wife.
I called a friend to come and help. I was thinking that the car out of fuel! and the gauge showed very little. So, I got 2 gallons, and I put half of a bottle of red-line additive before the fuel. I staretd the car but it did not start. I tried again and again. I found in the fillter air bubbles. I kept cranking alot until finally it started.
Here is my theory:
The weather was getting very cold at that day, the fuel in the car was old, not treated for winter. So, the fuel "gilled" in the tank and allowed air to go through the system. The additive and new fuel cleared this. Also, I was not running the heating in the car, the fuel can be heated only if the acc is on.

So, try again,
good luck

If the anti lock light comes on and the tach stays off it might be the over voltage protection relay behind the battery.

Joe

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www.jerseyplanning.com
1987 300TD 440K - My car
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 107K - Tim's car
2000 - CLK320 100K - Deb's car
1994 C230 150K - Josh's Car

Thanks for all the leads. tomorrow when it is light i'll try the neutral lockout switch. truthfully. i picked up Chiltons because i had never heard of it before. i am very new at this but am a quick learner. (BTW toknow, i live out in Whitehall)
I just got this car 2 months ago after having searched for a good one for a couple of years.
The body is as perfect as you could expect of a car this age. absolutely no rust... 1 owner... interior like a 5 year old...upkeep & maintenance done at the dealership...etc.
An additional bonus was that the owner put about $2500 into it in the 2 years prior to letting it go (engine oil cooler sealed w/line replacement, brakes/linings replaced, A/C work plus got an extra set of tires (snow!). Needless to say. i fell in love with it as soon as i saw/drove it so i won't be considering selling it soon.
I need to get some work done on the heating system. the other work is optional stuff that can wait. But first i have to get it started again. I'll post the outcome tomorrow.