What the...? No Juice, '95 E300D

[Zoonhollis]

What have I done? I'm in the process of installing a new stereo system in my '95 E300D. When I ran the power cable for the amps in my trunk, I accidentally touched the end of the lead to the body at some point. It blew the 7.5A fuse near the battery and the front passenger shock tower, so I replaced it. However, the car still won't start and none of the accessories seem to work. All the other fuses are intact. When I turn the key, the glow relay clicks and I get the expected door buzz...but no juice to the starter.

I also have both front seats out and I severed all the old analog phone cabling. I have to think I did something more than blow a fuse when that lead touched. Any clues?

[P.E.Haiges]

Zoon,

Maybe it has a seat starter cutout like a riding mower? LOL

Try jumping a wire from + terminal on battery to the small terminal of the starter solonoid. If the starter cranks U know its not the starter or solonoid.

You need to get a wiring diagram to trace out the starter circuit.

P E H

[Zoonhollis]

Thanks for the reply. Now nothing works...not the horn, not the headlights, nada. But the battery has plenty of voltage.

[P.E.Haiges]

Zoon,

U really can't test a battery by just putting a voltmeter across the terminals. A load (current draw) must be put on a battery to see if it will hold the voltage under load. The same goes for a connection. It may read the same voltage on both sides using a high impedance voltmeter even if the connection has high resistance unless there is current (amperes) going thru the connection.

Take a battery jumper cable and test for short circuit current by connecting one end of cable to the + battery terminal wire first and then momentarially touching a good ground away from the battery. Then move the cable toward the solonoid. This is only done on the large gage wires going from the battery to the starter, not smaller wires. U should get a healthy zap if the battery, battery terminals and connections are OK. Don't make the spark at the battery because there may be explosive gasses coming out of the battery.

Let me know what happens.

P E H

[Zoonhollis]

Thanks, PEH. Turns out the battery was dead...after all, it was 6 years old. I appreciate your replies

[P.E.Haiges]

Zoon,

See what I mean, you can't test a battery by just putting a voltmeter across the terminals.

P E H