Whack the top of the started solenoid with a broom handle and see if it will turn over.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

there is also a engine to chassis ground strap. and sometimes an auxiliary ground running from the batt to one starter bolt is necessary in an older car.

tom w

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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.

Any help for me? I've confused the two big cables that attach to the starter and I'm not sure how to determine the right way... just hooked them up how I thought was right and nothing happened, the car was dead, no lights no nothing. Is there some damage I should check for for crossing them up?

I'm swapping engines and I'm almost ready to start the new one... just hooking up the starter now. Got the driveshaft, shift links and tranny bracket sorted out, just need to attach the exhaust and fill the radiator, I hope! Thanks for the tip on the starter connections, I feel silly for mixing them up, but I've been waiting on parts for a long time. Cheers!

Ash

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Ash Peltier - tools, truck, tales
---------510-331-4118-----------
1982 240D - (272,000)
1998 Honda VTR1000F(RT) Superhawk Freeway (58,000) "Madrid"
1996 Toyota T100 4x4 (84,000) "Mary Kay"

Sorry for the dumb joke. The only thing you could have done is disconnected something electrically. Please think it out, dont tow it, we will help you solve it---take a look at your wiring starting from the battery to the starter motor and look for something loose

duh!!!! The motor mount sensor! Who would have figured it was that!

Tomorrow, I get back out there and start searching again. Thanks for all of your help and I will let you know what I find! Hopefully that dang motor mount switch just had the wire knocked off!! LOL

Thanks!

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Paul

1991 300TE (280,000)
1985 300TD (432,000 miles - retired)
1976 300D (225,000 - retired)
1975 300D (165,000 - retired)

driad,

I only know of one heavy gage wire that goes to the starter solonoid. This is the one directly from the battery. There should also be a lighter gage wire connected to the same solonoid terminal and the opposite end is connected to a terminal block on the inside of the fender. This wire supplies battery current to all of the car's electrical system. If that lighter gage wire is connected to the wrong terminal on the solonoid, everything will be dead.

P E H

Yeop, looking at the differences on the wiring diagrams, I see where the confusion is. Thanks for reading!

__________________
Ash Peltier - tools, truck, tales
---------510-331-4118-----------
1982 240D - (272,000)
1998 Honda VTR1000F(RT) Superhawk Freeway (58,000) "Madrid"
1996 Toyota T100 4x4 (84,000) "Mary Kay"

I finally had the car towed. When I picked it up, I asked what I did. The answer was that when I moved the engine to install the mounts, I bent one shifter rod enough that the car did not fully engage park and subsequently the neutral safety switch! $50 and a lesson learned.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions.

__________________
Paul

1991 300TE (280,000)
1985 300TD (432,000 miles - retired)
1976 300D (225,000 - retired)
1975 300D (165,000 - retired)

i bet you felt lucky it wasnt worse.

tom w

__________________
[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.

Diesel Giant,

In your post I couldn't figure out if the starter solonoid or the the broom handle was supposed to turn over. Pronouns, pronouns.

P E H

........it was the broom handle, Paul. The starter solenoid doesn't turn.

Brian,

Thanks for the information. But U see what I mean about pronouns: the subject (engine) of the pronoun wasn't even in the post.

P E H

I only use amateur nouns.

..........is this a grammar lesson from a fellow who can't spell "you"??

Brian,

I can spell YOU but I can't spell IYI.

P E H