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  #1  
Old 04-01-2006, 09:37 PM
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Location: Chapel Hill, NC
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Angry Accidentally left key in ignition - turned to spark glow plug

I'm driving a 1999 E300 TD with 180k and a brand new battery. I bought her recently to start running biodiesel and am running anywhere from B50 to B100 depending on temps. It's not exactly arctic here in NC.

Anyway, this afternoon was beautiful so I decided to do some interior detailing. I wanted to listen to the radio while I worked so I put the key in and (drumroll) turned passed the accessories stop to the glow plug pre-heat position. She got left there for about 90 to 100 minutes.

Yes, I feel like an idiot and the car won't start even with a jump. My question to all you diesel-heads is what do you think happened? Did I fry something or does she need to cool overnight and then I can try again? The interior lights seemed pretty dim so I know the battery is way down.

Thoughts welcome, ribbing discouraged but expected.

-Bill-

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  #2  
Old 04-01-2006, 10:01 PM
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Don't take this as a rib, but doesn't your radio come on if you hit the power button (volume control) with the key off?
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  #3  
Old 04-01-2006, 10:05 PM
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If your glow plug relay was working like it is supposed to, then no damage should occur. If the relay was stuck and kept full power to the plugs for all that time. Then you will probably need a new set of glow plugs.

But it should not be a problem/
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  #4  
Old 04-01-2006, 10:39 PM
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The glow cycle usually cuts out after 40 seconds to a minute in that key position if the system is working correctly....though maybe those cars have enough electronic stuff that when in that key position it still drains it.......
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  #5  
Old 04-01-2006, 10:57 PM
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Angry Update: 10:45 PM EST

Hey Matt L - yep, you're right, the radio does come on w/o the key. (Smacks head with hand.) So, I went out and checked the radio and it came on fine still which led me to try and turn her over again.

Diesel Giant, this is what happened. When I hit the glow plug warmup cycle there was a fast clicking sound from under the hood and the dash lights all flickered and dimmed. I suspect that that the relays did not stop the glow plugs earlier and I may have some cooked hardware. I see a flatbed in my future.

pawoSD, see above. I think that the relays stayed open but am not mechanically inclined enough to know where to begin. Fortunately there is an excellent mechanic down the road from me who loves older MBs and Porsches.

Thanks all for your thoughts!

-Bill-
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  #6  
Old 04-01-2006, 11:04 PM
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Did you recharge the battery before you tried to start it again? You probably drained it with the climate control running, among other things.
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  #7  
Old 04-01-2006, 11:13 PM
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Yeah, the clicking noise sounds like a depleted battery -- ditto the dash lights action.

Get one of those 110 volt trickle chargers. Handy items to have.
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  #8  
Old 04-01-2006, 11:52 PM
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Smile Battery Charger - great call

Matt L and cmac2012,

Thanks for the assistance gentlemen. I'll be heading for Advance Auto in the AM to pick up a battery charger. Will let y'all know what happens.

-Bill-

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  #9  
Old 04-02-2006, 09:33 AM
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Check the battery to see how old it is. Could be original. If it is, it's seven years old and doesn't owe you anything. Just get a new one. Recharging an old discharged battery isn't going to last you that long anyway.

Len
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  #10  
Old 04-02-2006, 09:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sokoloff
Check the battery to see how old it is. Could be original. If it is, it's seven years old and doesn't owe you anything. Just get a new one. Recharging an old discharged battery isn't going to last you that long anyway.

Len
Please re-read the first post in this thread :
Quote:
I'm driving a 1999 E300 TD with 180k and a brand new battery. I bought her recently to start running biodiesel and am running anywhere from B50 to B100 depending on temps. It's not exactly arctic here in NC.
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  #11  
Old 04-02-2006, 11:30 AM
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Oops, my bad.

Len
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  #12  
Old 04-02-2006, 11:43 AM
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Question just wondering...

if a brand new battery gets discharged down to nothing does it effect its ability to hold a full 'new' charge?

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  #13  
Old 04-02-2006, 12:11 PM
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Yes, it can damage the battery and prevent it from holding a proper charge ever again.....at least thats what I've read...
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'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
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  #14  
Old 04-02-2006, 01:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pawoSD
Yes, it can damage the battery and prevent it from holding a proper charge ever again.....at least thats what I've read...
It has to remain discharged for quite a long time (weeks to months) in order to result in an permanent damage. Just being dead a day or two is not a problem if its a new battery. A completely dead battery may not present a proper load to a charger however so leaving the battery in the car and turning on the parking lights while charging for the first quarter hour or so is standard practice.
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  #15  
Old 04-02-2006, 03:37 PM
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Angry Latest Update - Battery charged, still won't crank

Hey all,

Thanks for all the thoughts and input. I picked up a battery charger this AM and set her to trickle charge the new battery. According to the charger the battery was at 64% so I left the charger on for about an hour. When I returned it was reading 100% but I thought I'd just switch the charger from 2 amp mode to 60 amp starting mode and see if the engine turned.

She didn't. She just clicked a bit, the dash lights flickered and dimmed, and the clock reset. I'm starting to wonder if there isn't more going on here than what I thought I caused yesterday. Here's why, the other day I drove a business partner home from a meeting and went inside briefly to see some work he was doing. When I came back out and hit the glow plugs all the lights on dash flashed (hazards, etc.) and she would not crank. I went through several cycles of warming the glow plugs (it was about 65 out) but she would not turn. So, I took the key out and just let the car sit and ponder the error of it's ways for a minute. When I cycled the glow plugs this time she turned right over.

Hadn't thought about this till this AM when I was driving my wife's car to Advance Auto. Any thoughts?

I REALLY hate electrical gremlins.

-Bill-

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