It failed me again. First time was when I ran out of fuel and I couldn't get the fuel system primed. Today, while at an auto parts store with my 240D (buying a battery for my other car, which failed to start yesterday, requiring a AAA call), it would not start. Two days in a row i got stranded by 2 different vehicles (is it trying to tell me something? ). The glow plug light does go on, but the spring loaded start position on the key switch is unreachable, key just won't turn any further than the run position, so I was not able to engage the starter. I was hoping to jump the starter like the 300DT, which has a terminal block on the passenger wheel well, but the 240D does not have such a terminal block. Is there a McGyver way to start a 240D? I spent some time trying to apply + juice to the starter solenoid, which did not work- no clicks or sparks. I was using 2 pieces of the horizontal aluminum strips from the grill (all I had for wire- and no tools). Not sure if the solenoid terminal was corroded enough such that I was not making a connection with the soft aluminum. A few guys behind the parts counter gave me a push start, thanks to the manual transmission and the guys

Tomorrow I will poke around with a test light and a DVM.

Does it sound like my ign switch is bad? Is the switch repairable? How do I remove it? Please point me to some good pertinent posts.

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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

Since you know that there is a place to jump at the starter... why not install a permanent starter button inside the car. This is the same type arrangement except with better contacts that one would use to bump a gas engine to turn it small amounts ( with dist disabled..... would not do that with diesel of course since it would likely start. )
In the old days cars had a starter button on the dash. Seems like until your multiple car gremlins quit messing with you this might be a good solution. This would give you breathing room for finding the actual problem while giving you comfort that you could use this car for parts chasing.

You can use a remote starter switch on a 616. It is awkward tho.

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83 SD

84 CD

Sounds like your switch...

I wonder, shut the car off and turn the switch as hard as you dare to the LEFT. I wonder if its not shutting off all the way and the lockout isn't resetting.

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Sadly Benz-less

The reason I was not able to jump the starter solenoid was because I was not making contact with the terminal on the solenoid with the thin aluminum strips I was using. With a big screwdriver, I was able to connect the 2 terminals (small terminal and battery + on the solenoid) and it started. I will up push button start for now until I get the ign switch sorted out. Thanks for the help.

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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 consider a hidden push button starter switch a good anti theft device.
It means they can not use a master key, pull out the switch, etc to start the car...
Just put it somewhere they will not look for it...
It can also be used to keep people in your family who don't really know how to drive your baby correctly from using it... LOL
Put the hidden switch so the left hand can reach it... down low by the seat.. then it will not be obvious you are not using the actual key to engage the starter...

I have a hidden glow plug switch. I could hand somebody the key to my (cold) 240D and they still wouldn't be able to start it unless I told them, or they just happened to look in the right place and figure out what the switch is for.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.