I'm considering the purchase of a 1975 240D. 211,000 miles, it was parked in 2006/2007 because of a glow plug issue.

Since then it's developped a more pressing issue: it won't crank. I hooked up jump leads from my 300D and much to my surprise everything electrical works but when I pull the knob to start it it doesn't crank. Some of the lights dim slightly so something electric is going on. Connections on the battery and on the starter are clean, the starter is getting power, is there something stupid I'm overlooking before saying its the starter?

Tapping on it did nothing and it's kind of wedged between cars so I wasn't able to try and pop start it.

Thanks.

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1981 230E, 1984 300D.
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www.ranwhenparked.net

Would it be possible to unbolt the starter and pull it back enough to disengage it from the flywheel - then try turning it over brieflly to see if the starter will spin? Just a thought, not sure what else it could be if the connections to the starter are clean and it is getting power.

__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
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"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman

Not sure if the 115 have neutal safety switch. But make sure the car is in park or neutral when trying to start.

Might also try turning it over by have via the crank bolt to make sure it's not siezed up.

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Very good idea - who knows why it really got parked.

__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
______________________________________

"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman

I thought of that, actually, I'd like to try to pop start it and see if it at least spins.

This is a 4-speed manual, I tried starting it in neutral, with and without the clutch in.

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1981 230E, 1984 300D.
-
www.ranwhenparked.net

Agree- first and least intrusive measure is just to turn the crank bolt by hand (wrench) and see if it is stuck. If it is , you will want to soak the cylinders with top oil lube or something like Kroil before you try something more vigorous.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Dumb question, are you sure your operating the knob correctly, there are 3 position. PUll out to the first place is the run, pull a bit more to next place, and then pull all that way out for the starter.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Nah, not a dumb question, it took me a while to figure out (especially how to take the damn key out.) I believe I'm operating it right now, though, pulling it all the way to start it.

Thanks for the feedback, I'd like to buy this car but not with a seized engine.

__________________
1981 230E, 1984 300D.
-
www.ranwhenparked.net

the dimming dash lights is probably caused by the GP's.

Did you checked the connections on the starter?

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Can you hear the bendix coming out and engaging the flywheel.

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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

The dimming happens when I pull the switch all the way (when it should start) so it's not the glow plugs. I checked and cleaned the connection on the starter and on the battery.

Kerry - I hear nothing at all, no click, not a sound.

__________________
1981 230E, 1984 300D.
-
www.ranwhenparked.net

That's good. I think it means there is less of a probability the engine is seized.

__________________
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

If the engine was indeed seized, what would happen if I tried to pop start it? It'd just stop rolling in a rather brutal fashion?

__________________
1981 230E, 1984 300D.
-
www.ranwhenparked.net

As an alternative to that, why not jack up a rear wheel, place it in 4th gear and try to rotate that wheel. That should give you some indication.

Is there oil in the engine?

__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
______________________________________

"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman

I had an old '73 MB that wouldn't start sometimes with the pull knob so I would just take an old tire tool to the starter posts and she would fire right up! My wife laughed at me something awful when she saw me chasing the car across the yard! Did you know that it completely bypasses the neutral saftey switch when you "arc" the starter posts? It will start in drive!

Kevin