Can you think of any good reasons why I have to turn the key to the glow position (drawing unnecessary current) in order to roll down the windows? Increasing the chance of locking keys in and killing the battery. Very annoying.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

I think it was a bad design. They fixed it at least by the w124 diesels. Maybe they designed the key tumbler based on a gas vehicle's needs. My GMC Diesel Suburban is the same way... I'm sure in the early 80's (with Detroit Diesel building their Diesel engines), GM wasn't thinking about the way the starting of a Diesel works.

Dumb design in my opinion. We all hate to say that about our favorite German Engineers who conn't mess up. But they do too. They usually pick electrical systems to do it on. Just don't tell a German this or they will not believe you. They are perfect I'm a good part German. lol... no I'm not perfect. I'm an Americanized German. If I was born in Germany, I'd be perfect too.

__________________
-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.

Anyone re-wired it so the windows work anytime (without needing the ign key)?

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

I'm sure it could be done. You'd just have to supply the main 12V to the window circuit with a constant 12V supply. I believe the fuse panel is labeled so that fuse having a constant 12V source would do it. Or you could find the main 12V in at the switches.

You'll have to determine what's safe and a safe way to do this however.

But of course it is possible. I've got a 123 and It's not bugging me enough to do this yet. But yes... it is kind of a weird setup. I still think it's a poor design (or lack of separate design for the diesels).

__________________
-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.