240D No starting and dash clicking sound

[willjayc]

I've been trying to get my 79 240D started all day and it just won't go.

I did have it going for about 2 minutes this morning after charging the battery. It started up, ran for two minutes then stalled out. The clear filter points towards a clogged main filter as there is little fuel in it. This however is not my main concern.

Now when I try to crank it in the preglow position something clicks under the dash (preglow relay?). I have no preglow light and the starter will not crank if I skip the preglow but the clicking stops. If I turn on the headlights well in the preglow position the clicking also stops Battery after charging is about 12.4V resting. It's a weak battery but I don't think it's the culprit. Glow plugs were also changed 3 months ago and I have been using the newer pencil type for several years now.

Searched to forums and was sad to find out that the preglow relays were so expensive. I am thinking that it may be this but don't understand why the starter won't crank either.

Any ideas, tests or things to narrow it down to?

Thanks

Will