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

Go to www.dieselgiant.com for how to test your glowplug system.

John

__________________
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
2002 F250 powerstroke with Plantdrive WVO conversion
1983 300SD 190K miles ,sold
2006 E320 CDI

Agreed, the relay is under the dash on that car, I think.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

If you crank too long with no start you may have some liquid Diesel fuel in the cylinder, and that can prevent the engine from turning with the starter, and even if you try to push start it. Take the glow plugs out and see if it cranks, and if so, crank it for a few seconds to blow out the stuff you have collected in there. While the plugs are out, check them visually and electrically. See if they glow good with 12V on them. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Sounds like a bad battery to me. Take it to an auto parts store and have it load tested if you don't have your own load tester.

__________________
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