ok, let's see. if you have 12v to the first plug, but not to the rest, you need a jumper to ground and test for voltage on each one.
what I'd do is get the meter and test for voltage between the resistance wire and the top on each one, and see if you find volts.
in other words, take the meter, and set it to dc volts, and put the probe on the upper and the lower connection.
test each plug. the one that shows voltage is the one that's bad.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/292405-loop-glowplug-relay-upgrade.html
here's a great way to fix what you have the right way...

im gonna hope its hot enough outside now that it will just start...heading there now. after reading other posts, im gonna for sure do the pencil style upgrade, seems like just replacing a bag old style is an accident (exactly like what im in) waiting to happen (again!)
I assume fastlane has the retrofit pencil style.. i'll get going on that when i get back home (hopefully)with the car.

Jumper the bad glow plug or try a little quick start. Not ether. Although with the glow plugs out ether sprayed cautiously might be okay to get started for home.

Some indirect diesels seem to require at least a partial glow plug cycle or otherwise will generally refuse to start at all. A careful tow start will also do it if you know what you are doing.

yup! the site has them for sale...

This price is per each glow plug
0 250 201 044Glow Plug Bosch IN STOCK

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Got it home!
I tested with voltmeter and found that 12v was going into the first GP (#4?) but no voltage coming out of that one, so it must be the culprit.
So, I used a spare set of jumper cables and connected battery positive to the resistance wire right before the next GP inline... gave it about 5 seconds.. and it started right up :) so the other 3 must be good and working, because the resistance wires glowed red hot and it started :)
im glad to have it home, and dont really mind making repairs when i know what it is! Im gonna update all the GPs to the newer style and rest easy.

thanks everyone for your help on this one!!!

Congrats :)

In a warm climate like yours the series plugs although not as fast as the others can work fine. I live up in eastern Canada and except for the more serious part of the winter where the car is not used anyways they are fine.
They are present in a 1977 300d of mine. Also in general I suspect they might have a longer service life.

Always carry a jumper in the trunk. It does not matter what one burns out. You just keep applying the jumper across each glow plug until heat is sensed on the squiggly lines. No harm is done by this proceedure as well. I suspect it does not really get all that cold where you live. If you carry a meter makes it even easier.

does anyone have the part number for the pencil style that will fit in the old style hole? Looking on fastlane, I see a couple pencil style that are categorized in the 1977/240D section but the photos dont look right.. so im confused on the right model to get.

I linked to it in post 20
it's the 80035 bosch plug.

excellent thanks vstech!!