She was starting just fine in the mornings, about 20 degrees with a block heater. Last night we got the first big snow, bad roads and all but didn't get as cold as it had. Went to start this morning, nothing, won't even try to start. So I tried jumping it, checked the starter for any slush that might have got caught there, and now have it charging. The dash lights/lights go on and look fine.

I have been reading that a cold snap can ruin an old battery, does it sound like a battery problem? I'm checking the wires and grounds now. Just wanted some ideas.

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

Need more info. Is the engine turning over with the starter? Is the glow plug light working?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Sounds like you're on the right track. Charge battery fully before contiuing. You also want to make sure your battery cable conections aren't corroded, as this will cause a no-start condition. If you can get a load test on the battery, that would be a good idea.

There's also the off chance that you have a problem with the start switch or associated wiring. You can try bypassing this with the always-handy screwdriver across the starter terminals to see if you get a different result. Then again, it could be that the starter went bad, but they usually give some warning before dying completely.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Glow plug light works just fine. Engine won't crank at all, turn key-nothing. Yeah the starter gave no warning. I'm going to go bar the terminals now.

Barred the terminals, lots of sparks, but nothing. Even though thte starter gave no sign of being shot, this makes me think that's the problem.

I'm assuming autozone isn't going to have one of this in stock...

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

Try jumping terminals 1 and 3 in the junction box on top of the right inner fender in front of the battery.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Go with a new battery first, AutoZoo's should have that Duralast pretty good.
Doubtful they'll have a starter.

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83 SD

84 CD

I'm not seeing the junction box you are speaking of. I'm searching for pictures now. Would this accomplish the same thing as barring the terminals on the solenoid?

With the car hooked up to another vehicle aren't I running off of that car's battery? I would think this would eliminate the battery as a problem.... that's just what I think, not from anything I know though.

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

Three inches long, one inch wide. Plastic lid. It depends on what terminals you were jumping on the starter.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I was jumping the two terminals directly above each other. I found a black box along the wall on the passenger side, I thought it was supposed to be in front of the battery. I'm going back out to see if I can find the terminals in there.

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

The item you want is a black box, red circle, you'll have to open the lid, there should be three screws, first and third, you can use a pair of pliers, or anything of substantial metal.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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83 SD

84 CD

The car was in D. Not in P.

I'm an idiot.

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

Not the first one to do this.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Here is something to keep in mind. When you jump start a diesel , you'll need a good heavy set of jumper cables. Not the kind you'll find in a cheap emergency kit. My cables are made from 1/0 welding cable , these are the only cables that will jump start my mbz , backhoe or tractor. The cheap cables will get hot or even melt from the amount of power that is needed to start a diesel.

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'83 240D 264k on 100% biodiesel/ 31mpg
83 300D 217K the $800 gem
'82 300D 267K the new WVO project car finished and driving for free
International tractor B275 on B100
Ford 555 backhoe on B100
Sargent 25 ton Rough Terrain crane on B50

Or the last.

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Joe

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1980 300SD - 495k miles - 'The Ambassador'
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Former Family Members
95 C280
73 280SEL
90 300D
87 300SDL (X2)
86 560SEL
84 300D
80 300SD

I think in my glow plug cycles an attempts to start I drained teh battery, it will click, wonät turn over, go to do it again and the lights are getting dim. Iäll charge er up tongiht and try again in the morning

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.