just bought a 1984 300 D

[zu!]

Hello folks:

Just a little background history here. My Dad used to drive a cream mercedes diesel. I can't remember what model, but I knew he had to turn the key, look at the dash really intently, his hands right through the steering wheel to some kinda switch on the dash...then when the light went off, he'd pull this plunger-looking thing and the car would fire up. Yep, I still remember the squeaks those seats made whenever you sat in them!

Fast forward now, I just got my OWN mercedes diesel, an 84 (must be newer than my dad's) with 380 + k on the clock. I've already run into an issue with it and I'm hoping some of you experienced fellas would just say: Oh that problem, its not really a problem

Anyway, when I had parked in the garage, I decided to try all the lights. Everything worked, even the courtesy light. I then decided to try the Hazard light, and it blinked all of once, went out, taking the courtesy light with it.

Hunted everywhere for the fusebox, finally found it, checked all the fuses, all looked good, and tried the switch again. This time it made a noise much like a series of quick farts (I don't know how else to describe this!) and no lights. As my fingers were already freezing from the cold in the unheated garage, I gave up.

Any ideas anyone?