Winter is coming on quickly and Mitzi (my 85 300SD) has decided to no longer activate the glow plugs when I turn on the key
Money is way too tight to really go into solving the issue
Can any one tell me where to wire in a jumper wire to power up the glow plugs?
I did swap out the glow plug control brick just behind the headlights with one from my parts car
None of the fuses are blown
I have a rampant electrical problem that I've largely put off till spring
Any suggestions?
For just a bit more info
When I turn on the key the light doesn't come on and the car won't start
It was working on occasion
When the light comes on the plugs heat up and I can start
No light no start

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1985 MB 300SD
1982 MB 300SD
1977 Jawa 634 California w/ sidecar

Bergsma explains a very cheap and easy solution:

An Ingenious Alternative to Pre-Glow Relay Problems on Mercedes Benz Diesel by Kent Bergsma - YouTube

Just go to an auto parts store and buy a ford starter solenoid and a little ten dollar switch. You have to know how to solder, I did this. It's really easy. Takes about an hour by the time you cut the wires and mount the new solenoid. No more relay problems ever again. Also, if you want, you can hook up the little blue wire to the engaged end and the glow light comes on inside your car when the glow process is activated.

Cheers.

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1983 300CDT -- 177K

You can wire the plugs in paralel to an old ford type starter solenoid. Connect a hot wire from the battery to the main on the solenoid and put in a small momentary switch in the cab to activate the solenoid. The plugs will light for as long as you hold the switch. I believe whunter posted a diagram of this a while back.

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

ok, it could be as simple as a cracked fuse in the controller.
pull the top off the GP relay, and have your meter ready, then turn on the key. measure from engine block/fuel filter boss to the large screw under there.
check for voltage at each screw.
if you have volts on BOTH screws, but the light did not come on, the relay is suspect.
pretty simple swap for a replacement relay. however, the simple bypass is to take a large section of #10 or 8 wire and insert into each of the 5 sockets when you wriggle the large harness socket off the relay. twist the 5 wires together, and touch them to the large screw. voila! GP's working for as long as you hold the wire to the screw. 15-30 second should be sufficient for starting down to about 0 with a good motor.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Last week I picked up 2 working 300D glow plug relays at my local PNP for $2 each.

Same price on 240 units.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

brilliant thanks tons i was feeling like i was asking a hillbilly question after watching that video and seeing that guy in his oh so clean shop and his pristine cars i don't feel so bad

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1985 MB 300SD
1982 MB 300SD
1977 Jawa 634 California w/ sidecar

my old 240d, i wired 2 fog lamp relay and a internal switch to inside, hold her for 4-5 sec then fire, it worked well.

or if u know how to check the power to the relay and diag step by step.
there's a alum fuse mounted on the relay box.

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