the key has no problems doing its thing, seems to warm the glow plugs fine and all, but when i attempt to start the car most of the time it doesnt do a single thing, not a sound. it just takes a handful of tries and then i get lucky. maybe one in 20 tries.

im doing my research in the archives now, but im seeing alot of people talking about the key getting stuck or 'difficult to turn' -- and i think i have a different issue, that it turns as it always has and doesnt even cause a sound..

the car is an 83. this coincidentally? began more or less right after i took the car in to a shop to get the valves adjusted and alternator fixed..

ive been a lurker here for awhile, but seem to have found an issue that i cant solve with any certainty.

thanks!

I'm guessing it's most likely either the ignition switch, or the starter relay.

Could also be the starter itself.

__________________
Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

Try starting it in netrual.

__________________
Moss Gate Bed & Breakfast
1985 300 TD GG done in by a red light runner
1984 300 CD Sold
2008 Titian
2000 Cadillac SLS
1966 FLH Sold
2003 Harley Ultra

Or the neutral safety switch, next time try moving the shifter to neutral and see if that changes anything.

check your ground cable from engine to block, It`s a large bare copper cable from the engine bell housing to the frame. It`s on the drivers side. open hood, look behind and below the steering box you will see it. think it is a 17mm on the ebg and a 15mm on the body.

when you turn the key and it wont start. leave the key on, open hood, and on the inner fender next to the battery is a black plastic box with wires going in on the eng side. remove the lid and using apair of needle nose plires, short across 2 of the screws and the eng will start. on mine it is the center screw and the one towards the front.

If it starts, then most likely the NSS.

a bad shift linkage bushing could also be the problem.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Check the wiring to the starter. The little wire on mine came loose and would make contact some times and other times not. So the result was sometimes it would turn over and other times it would not. A good tightening of the screw fixed the issue and no problems since.

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

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

update:
1)tried starting in neutral -- no luck multiple times
2)copper ground cable is intact

charmalu: "when you turn the key and it wont start. leave the key on, open hood, and on the inner fender next to the battery is a black plastic box with wires going in on the eng side. remove the lid and using apair of needle nose plires, short across 2 of the screws and the eng will start. on mine it is the center screw and the one towards the front.
If it starts, then most likely the NSS.
a bad shift linkage bushing could also be the problem."

--- this started it right up, so i should do my homework on the NSS, shift linkage bushing, the starter wiring, and ignition switch i suppose

thanks!

Or just carry a short piece of wire to jump the screws. Or hook a remote start switch to the screws and route the button into the cabin.

__________________
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

Disassemble the -&+ connections on the battery and clean/wire brush them.

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

i just might do that, i need it going soon.

this shouldnt be an issue, i put a new battery in recently so there shouldnt be any corrosion etc..

And if it starts fine by jumping the wires at the junction box, it shows the battery and ground connections are fine.

__________________
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

Yup, it's almost certainly the ignition switch, the NSS, or an electrical connection associated with one of them.

Here is the NSS for your year




http://www.allpartsexpress.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1983-MERCEDES--BENZ-300dt--/--L5--998cc--3.0l--Diesel--Fi--Turbo-Electrical&yearid=1983%40%401983&makeid=MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&engineid=1193778%40%40300DT++%2F+L5%2D2998cc+3%2E0L+DIESEL+FI++Turbo%40%40300DT&catid=Electrical%40%40Electrical&subcatid=Neutral+Safety+Switch@@Neutral+Safety+Switch&mode=PA

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

You can jump the NSS under the driver's kick panel to test it. (instructions for exact wire on here somewhere). It is also known that the connections inside the ignition switch can get dirty causing these symptoms. My 85 has had this symptom on and off for 6 years. Typically I jump the terminals a few times and the problem goes away. Comes back after a few months. Last time it happened was probably nine months ago now.
Some people install a relay near the battery to solve the problem of reduced voltage to the starter due to old wiring. Pictures of that on here somewhere too.

__________________
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 lower diagram is for turbos. Do a glow plug cycle first, see if it starts.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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83 SD

84 CD