Just bought 83 240 and all electric went out ?

[240-diesel]

Hello everybody, I used to have a 1980 vw diesel a long way back. So now we just got a 83 240d last night. The car has 223,000 miles on it I do most of the work on our vehicles myself. But its been a while since i had a diesel. The car has been serviced regular by previous owner, it is in great overall condition. I plan on going over the whole vehicle real soon. So let me get to the question here the car had been sitting for while before we bought it . After I drove it home last night about a 15 min ride shut it off then started it again no problem did notice that instrument lights were dim, So I got up this morn started it up drove about 10 to 15 min all lights inside and out were going dim and then all out no blinkers , radio, etc. Got to work shut off engine ,then i tried to restart but nothing. I could here the heater blower barely on , So i guess correct me if am going to check battery volts get a jump start see if alt. is putting out 13.5 volts check cables .poss new battery. But dont know if there is any other draw anyway I noticed the rear window defrost button is on ,it does not return to the middle position or off ? Sorry for the long post First timer . Any replies appreciated thanks.

[Ken300D]

Yes, you probably are going to have a few things to work out on the car. But thankfully the engines are very tough.

It sounds like either a charging system problem or a wire connection problem.

So, the idea would be to check the following:

- Tightness of the battery clamps. Maybe take them off and clean.
- Quality of the ground connection. My 300D has a short cable from the battery ground to the frame. If your 240D has this, you might consider taking this off and cleaning it - then replace.
- Make sure you have a belt turning the alternator.
- If you get it started, a voltmeter on the battery & alternator is next to check system output.

I've never jumped a diesel, but I bet its not easy because of the current required by the starter from that big battery. You might connect the cables for awhile (with the "donor" vehicle running) to charge the 240D battery up some before attempting a start. Something like 15 minutes.

And we have to warn you that a charging battery gives off some hydrogen gas which is flammable/explosive. Be careful of sparks near the charging battery. Disconnect the jumper cables from the donor vehicle first.

Good luck - keep us posted on progress - lots of good help here.

Ken300D

Yes, you need to jump start the car and then check voltage across the battery with the engine running. I expect that you are going to find the voltage to be 12 volts or less which means the alternator is the problem. Your best bet would be to put a good alternator on, but you can often get by with replacing the brush pack. When you remove the brush pack which is located where the wiring harness connects to the back of the alternator, try to feel of the slipring area of the rotor. If the grooves are deep, replace the alternator instead of only the brush pack.

Good luck,

[240-diesel]

I put a new battery and alt. in last night and its up to 14 volts all lights are bright and fuctioning now. Now I can get to changing all the fluids etc .I am going to go over car and check it out front to back and top to bottom, what a great car this is . I expect to be busy for a while learning and sorting this out . Thanks for the input.