Hello! I tried to start my 1985 300D one morning and at first it started to crank OK, I waited for the glow plug light to shut off then turned the key. I thought the engine turned over and let go of the key but it didn't start.
I tried to start it up again, and everything electrical shut off. Turning the key did nothing to the car, no lights on in the dash . . . nothing. I checked the battery and it was OK.

Next morning, I tried to start it up and there was lots of clicking going on behind the dash and the panel lights were fluttering on and off. It was chaos behind the dash, and there was no starter activity. The glow plug lights didn't light either.

If anyone out there could provide me with a starting point, I'd greatly appreciate it, and would like to join the happy MBZ owners out there. I don't know much about cars and especially diesels (this is my first one). I purchased the car the day before with 162K on it and then this all happened literally the day after,

Thanks!

duplicate post

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'd start with connections at battery and chassis ground and starter.

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

Try to start it again with the interior light on. If interior light does not duplicate what the dash is doing it could be your ignition switch is pretty bad. But fortunatly for you there is a much better chance for the battery cable connections etc. as others have posted. Remember once I had heavy oxidation in the wires coming off one place at one time leaving me with no power on this model. These cars are older now so it is not a strange thing to occur. You might want to invest in a cheap digital meter as I think it is a tool almost everyone should own.