87 300sdl no start! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cnev300d · #7 11-25-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimSmith

Maybe I am reading the description wrong, but it sounds like an intermittent problem where the engine won't turn over using the starter more than a single revolution or two. Other times it turns over normally and the engine starts. Those symptoms point toward a bad connection, likely either where the battery is grounded or the positive terminals from the battery to the starter, or the solenoid to the starter motor. If the problem is glow plugs I don't understand the connection between them and the intermittent functioning of the starter. Jim

Yes, the starter turns maybe half a revolution. Sounds like it engages and then just stops. It does this every time when it won't start with the new battery. With the old battery, once it fails, the starter won't engage anymore unless I hook up the battery to my portable battery jumpstarter which I carry with me all the time. And even when hooked up, it fails to start sometimes. I have managed to get it started eventually though to save from being stranded.

The glow plug light comes on each time the key is engaged to start position. I have to remove the key each time it doesn't start.

I have not had to the chance to check the glow plugs, but the fuses seem to be good. The connection at the battery seems to be good. I cleaned and scrap the connections when I put the new battery in.

I'm not ruling out the glow plugs or relay because I don't know how old they are. But on my 300d, when it failed to start, the starter would crank and crank. I had replaced the glowplugs on that one before.