Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-28-2010, 11:42 AM
RafferMJ's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 26
Glow plug light not coming on, starter not working.

Hey everyone,

During the last week, my car has been acting a little funny. When I turn the key to the glow position, the light does not come on. And then when I go to start the car, the engine just keeps turning over and over and over. I can't seem to figure out whether it's the starter, a vacuum issue, or something else entirely.
It is also extremely hot out where I am at, temperatures reached close to 100 almost daily.
Also, sometimes the engine has not been turning over at all. The car acts as if the battery is dead but it definitely isn't because I am able to power everything else in the car.
I appreciate any help that I can get.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-28-2010, 11:58 AM
Jeremy5848's Avatar
Registered Biodiesel User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sonoma Wine Country
Posts: 8,402
For starters, tell us about your car, like what is it?
__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-28-2010, 12:10 PM
RafferMJ's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 26
Sorry, knowing the make and model of my car probably would help, ha. I have a 1979 Mercedes 300D, US version. 104,000 miles. Brand new battery and brand new alternator.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-28-2010, 12:19 PM
layback40's Avatar
Not Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Victoria Australia - down under!!
Posts: 4,023
First remove & check/test all the glow plugs. If you have the series wire ones, when 1 goes, none work.
There are plenty of threads about GP problems/ no start. Do a search.
__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-28-2010, 08:25 PM
Diesel911's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Long Beach,CA
Posts: 51,038
If you have not removed the Glow Plugs before be sure to take of picture of how the wires are connected or make a good drawing.
If you system has a Fuse check that also.
__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-28-2010, 08:34 PM
Diesel911's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Long Beach,CA
Posts: 51,038
Quote:
Originally Posted by RafferMJ View Post
Hey everyone,

During the last week, my car has been acting a little funny. When I turn the key to the glow position, the light does not come on. And then when I go to start the car, the engine just keeps turning over and over and over. I can't seem to figure out whether it's the starter, a vacuum issue, or something else entirely.
It is also extremely hot out where I am at, temperatures reached close to 100 almost daily.
Also, sometimes the engine has not been turning over at all. The car acts as if the battery is dead but it definitely isn't because I am able to power everything else in the car.
I appreciate any help that I can get.
If you are worried it might be a Vaccum Issue causing Vacuum to get to your Vacuum Shutoff Valve on the Fuel Injecting Pump try disconnecting and plugging the Vacuum Shutoff Vacuum Line.

If the Starter will not turn at all and you have an Automatic Transmission it could be the Neutral Safety Switch or the Ignition Switch.

Non Starter and non Glow Plug issues for not starting are no Fuel being Injected into the Engine. 2 common reasons for this would be Fuel Filters Plugged and/or an Air leak.
After checking the Glow Plugs if you still have the problem and your Starter is cranking the Engine. Try getting out of the Car and Pump on your Hand Primer like about 25 times and see if it will start after that.
If so it could be one of the above 2 causes.

To see if you are getting Fuel up to the Injectors loosen some of the Hard Line Nuts at the Injectors and see if fuel comes out when you crank the Engine.
__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-29-2010, 10:04 PM
RafferMJ's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 26
Thanks for all the help...I ordered 5 new glow plugs in order to ensure that this issue does not happen again in the near future. And I'm sure that I'll appreciate having them come winter anyways.
Are there any special tools or tricks to replacing all of the glow plugs that I should know about before diving into this project?

By the way, I have been able to start the car by simply spraying starter fluid into the air intake so I'm pretty certain that it must be the glow plugs. Or am I wrong at assuming this? Also, I am aware that this is really not all that great for the engine but I really had no choice in the matter given that I absolutely had to use my car the past couple of days and had no outlet for new glow plugs besides ordering them.
__________________
1980 Mercedes-Benz 300TD
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-29-2010, 10:18 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 4,154
Quote:
Originally Posted by RafferMJ View Post
Thanks for all the help...I ordered 5 new glow plugs in order to ensure that this issue does not happen again in the near future.

Are there any special tools or tricks to replacing all of the glow plugs that I should know about before diving into this project?

By the way, I have been able to start the car by simply spraying starter fluid Or am I wrong at assuming this?

Also, I am aware ...but I really had no choice in the matter given that I absolutely had to use my car the past couple of days and had no outlet for new glow plugs besides ordering them.
Diesel giant has a pictorial on testing & replacing the glow plugs. Do not keep spraying ether unless you like to cause more trouble. If this car goes down because of over use of starting fluid, you'll find another way to get around. Ditch the spray & use the "other way" until you fix the car.

Battery and starter can be tested as can the glow plugs. There have been several threads within the last couple of days. Now is a good time to decide to test before throwing parts at a problem. Parts throwing is expensive and frequently won't fix the problem.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:21 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page