Not gelled fuel. In fact there are a number of threads here on this problem in cold weather. It is often related to poor connections in the ignition circuit. There is a junction box on top of the passenger inner fender in front of the battery. Glow the plugs, then jump terminals 1 and 3 in that junction box. Your starter will most likely engage. If it doesn't, report back.

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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

have you tried starting it in Neutral?

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

If it were a bad NSS, you wouldn't get a 'click" (I believe).

__________________
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

Ok, now I've seen everything with this car. I went to pop the hood and upon pulling the lever that pops the hood, I felt a slight electrical current buzing through my fingertips. I figured I was just crazy and continued about my business. However, as I went to lift up the hood by grabbing the grill, I got another nasty shock. I have no idea what this means, or if it's even related, but I figure someone might?

Was your block heater plugged in? If so, sounds like a short in the block heater circuit and thats what is giving you your shock. Just a thought, I'm no expert

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Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K

First thing to check is the battery cables. See if they are tight on both ends and clean on the battery.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Will the horn or lights work? If not then the fault is the battery....

The block heater is shot or wiring is shorted if you got a shock from the car. I've had this before.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I have never seen gelled fuel yet. This winter was nasty in Chicago and I had some diesel fuel in plastic bottle in my trunk just to see what it becomes at -10F. Still nice and liquid...

Unplug the blockheater and see if you still get shocked. My guess is the block heater is shorting out and not heating your engine block. Plug it back in and see if the shock comes back.

__________________
85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60

the solenoid wont click, but there is a relay or two behind the dash that'll click. some peeps may not know the difference.
I dont really think it's the NSS, but lets eliminate in anyways. it doesn't cost nothing to try to start it in N.

__________________
1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

Yep, you're right.

__________________
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

Sounds to me like you need to charge your battery. That would give you a click. Do that first. If that doesn't help then it is something with the wiring/starter. When mine was clicking the wiring to the starter was loose.

Unplug the block heater and see if you still get shocked. If you don't then it obviously is the block heater causing the shock.

You need to do a little research on cold weather starting.
Here is a checklist of things that can cause problems in cold weather, thus preventing the car to start.
Glow Plugs
Battery
Starter
Oil Weight
Fuel
Compression

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Thank you for the advice everyone. Things have been crazy around here, so I haven't got to do much in the way of trying to fix this bad boy. I plan on testing all the areas you folks are mentioning (glow plugs, battery, etc.)

I tried starting her in neutral for kicks, but no luck.

I know how to test the battery (trying the heat, radio, lights, etc.), but what else can I do to test the other areas?

Thank you all so much. It's a little nerve-wrecking being a first time owner sometimes (especially when you don't know anything about cars).

I just tested the battery by trying the radio, lights, turn signal, heat, etc. and all work just fine. Just though I'd let everyone know!