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 09-02-2013, 04:43 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
1985 300d turbo won't start without jump

My 85 mercedes 300d turbo is having trouble starting. I put in the keys, dash lights come on, but as soon as I try to start there's a loud click sound and the dash lights go out again. If I immediately take the keys out and try again nothing happens, no dash lights or anything, but if I let it sit for a while then dash lights will come on again. Oddly, it starts fine with a jump, runs normally, but as soon as I turn it off it won't start again. Tested the battery at autozone and it seems to be fine. Any ideas?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-02-2013, 04:47 PM
rrgrassi's Avatar
mmmmmm Diesel...
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Royse City Tx
Posts: 5,177
Did you have the alternator tested also?

I had to replace both battery and alternator when that happened to me. I bought a 75 amp alternator for a gasser w126. I have had no more issues like that.
__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-02-2013, 06:42 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Wilmington, NC by the Atlantic ocean
Posts: 2,530
To explain the phenomenon - batteries will, to an extent, recharge themselves if left alone. They will NOT generate a full charge. So you're getting enough power to light the lamps but it takes a lot of amps to spin over any engine and especially a Diesel.

Sounds like the battery is OK or it probably wouldn't regenerate itself. I'd check the alternator for sure. Pull it off and take it to your local alternator shop. They'll spin it up on a test rig and evaluate. They can either rebuild yours or they may have a rebuilt sitting on the shelf. My local shop ALWAYS does a great job for me and charged me $100, which is a pretty good deal. They stand behind their work 100%.

Also take a REALLY good look at your cables and the state of your grounds. Remember that EVERYTHING (the chassis, body, and engine) have to get a complete ground loop back to the battery. Many electrical Gremlins can ultimately be traced back to grounding issues.

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-02-2013, 10:15 PM
piccolovic's Avatar
OLD LADY
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 779
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteyrTMP View Post
My 85 mercedes 300d turbo is having trouble starting. I put in the keys, dash lights come on, but as soon as I try to start there's a loud click sound and the dash lights go out again. If I immediately take the keys out and try again nothing happens, no dash lights or anything, but if I let it sit for a while then dash lights will come on again. Oddly, it starts fine with a jump, runs normally, but as soon as I turn it off it won't start again. Tested the battery at autozone and it seems to be fine. Any ideas?
I'd check the battery first. Might be due for a change cause may not be holding a charge. If not that, then try looking at start/selinoid. You may want to pay to have it diag'd by a reputable mechanic, and replace the parts yourself. My bet is the battery. The new lithium batteries have a ways to go to be as reliable and long life as the old leaded ones. IMHO.
__________________
1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-02-2013, 10:18 PM
piccolovic's Avatar
OLD LADY
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 779
Also, those symptoms can also be caused by poor connection at the battery terminals. Have you pulled off the cables, cleaned them up?
__________________
1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-02-2013, 10:49 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,740
If the battery light on the dash coming on when the key is turned? If it does, does it go out or stay lite?
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-02-2013, 10:50 PM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,835
CLASSIC symptoms of loose ground braid bolt... it will also do this if the large bolt on the starter solenoid is loose... or of course if the battery cables are bad or loose.

1. check the battery cables, at BOTH ends.

2. follow the large wire from the battery positive, to the starter and make sure it's tight on the solenoid.

3. elevate the car and climb under there and find the braided cable that connects the transmission bellhousing to the body of the car, and make sure the bolts are tight on both ends...

4. the fact that jumper cables connected to the battery get the car started lead me to focus on the battery terminals themselves. I'd pull the cables off the battery, and clean the battery terminals, and the inside of the battery cables...

__________________
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!
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 01:29 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