Erratic glowplug lights in 96 e300 w 210-k40 relay?
 

I recently experienced my glowplug lights not turning on and off and subsequently the car won't start. If you turn the key and the glowplug lights turn on and off the car will start but if it decides not to turn on the starter will just crank but the engine will not fire. Sometimes the green and red lights (anti theft device?) on the rear view mirror will start flashing. I checked all the glowplugs from the relay and they all are fine with readings of 3-4 ohms.I also replaced the alternator and had the battery checked and it was good. Could this be an indication that the k40 relay is going bad? Any ideas?

I would say it would be a good place to start. The part is not that expensive, and easy to install. I see that you live in Fla., so the car should still start without the use of glow plugs, but will take a little longer. In reading other posts, the flashing red and green lights can be an indication of a bad K40 relay. Good luck.....

Thanks. I kinda suspected it. I experienced that about 4 years ago and the culprit was the k40 relay. The only difference then was that the car would stall for no reason at all whereas now it doesn't. Do you know of any tests to check if the k40 relay is bad?

96 e300-Can erratic glow plug lights be an ignition key problem?
 

I initially suspected the k40 relay as the problem with glow plug lights not turning on occasionally. However, i noticed the glow plug lights will turn on and the sov will click when you turn the key at a certain speed and angle to position 2. Has anyone come across this problem? I'm suspecting the contact points in the ignition key might be wearing out. Does anyone know how to take out and test the ignition key contact points?

Search Jeremy's posts. I think he did this on his.