Thanks for the information guys! I believe the battery to be about 4-5 years. Also, it's a maintenance free battery which I'm not sure if I could do the procedure you suggest RML but, i will double check to see.

Thats definently on my to do list with the battery tray. Last i checked, it was in need of replacement... Hate to see what it looks like under it now

Any suggestions on replacements if everything else checks out? Should I purchase a battery from the dealer? Or what about an Interstate?

Thanks everyone!

__________________
1983 Euro 240D 277K
2016 Mazda 6
Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Formers:
2012- Mazda 3
2007 Outlander- complete pile
1995 E300 Diesel 208K
2007 VW Passat 2.0T 63K SOLD
2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K
2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000
2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold
1984 300 turbo diesel 222K

I had same symptoms, turned out to be a bad starter solenoid. Replaced starter with new Bosch one, never another problem starting Myrtle since.
+1 on the grounding strap. Driver side, from bell housing bolt, to body.

Not only the ground strap, but ALL electrical connections must be clean and tight. Sometimes they can look clean but not be clean as they look.
Steve

__________________
1980 300 TD

1997 Dodge Pickup/Cummins 5.9 12-valve

I have heard good things about interstate batteries. I would have purchased an Interstate but didn't have time to shop around. I bought an Autocraft. There was a Diehard in my car and the Autocraft and Diehard were the exact same battery, just a different label. Make sure you get a battery with the correct specifications for your car. Diesels need a lot of cranking power in the winter. My battery is 850 amps with 150 reserve amps. And it of course has to fit the battery tray. Getting one with the correct specs will take care of this.

While I was at it, I purchased a quick disconnect cable connector for the negative post. I did this after reading about another forum member's unfortunate electrical fire which totaled his car. I also bought some anti corrosion spray for the positive terminal. I needed this mostly for my 2000 Toyota van which had a lot of corrosion building up at the + post. But I used it when installing the new battery in my 84 300D. Now it looks like a really professional job.

I didn't know what cranking power was before I got this new battery. Wow, what a difference. I wouldn't have know if we had not had some single digit nights this past winter. I forgot to plug in my block heater one night and needed the extra power. In warmer weather, my car starts right up so I never realized what I was missing.

__________________
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