After checking out a 300d this past week, I am going to check out a 1979 240d this weekend. The car has 164,000 miles, auto trans, pw, ac, sunroof & leather interior. The car has been sitting for the past 11/2 years. The PO has died & the car is being sold by his friend. He claims the car has new glow plugs, but isn't getting power to them. The car will start if towed. (I'm assuming MB has a rear pump in the auto trans?)

My questions are:
1. Is there any way to check the glow plug relay and or fuse? Where is the relay located? What would the cost be of a new relay?

2. If it isn't the relay, where else would the problem be?

3. Is there any way to get power to the glow plugs by "going around" the relay? (a jumper from the battery to the glow plugs) As I would like to see if the motor will start without being towed.

4. Would towing the car to start it cause any harm to the transmission or any other parts of the car?

5. Is there anything else I should be concerned about?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Aivars Berzins