1976 W114/115 300D not starting
 

Okay, so I purchased this car last Sunday for a grand.
Ran beautifully, had a little trouble getting started but with a new battery did fine.

Got it home, turned off and it wouldn't come back.
Hooked a charger up to it with the engine start mode and it fired up , but then that charger broke.

Other night had it hooked with the jumpers to the f250 diesel and it would turn over, quick too, but just wouldn't fire up.
Now I purchased another charger, and let it charge, now the car wont even turn over.

Battery light stays on until the battery drains itself.

I turn the key, glow plug light lights up, goes off after 20 seconds or so and I go to start an click, nothing now.
I'll see a spark come off the battery, also after that I'll have to push the battery a little get the connection again.

I was thinking internal voltage regulator.
Checked fuses, they all look decent, or connected at least.

Any suggestions?

Answer
 

Sounds like a bad connection at the battery terminal has blown the voltage regulator.

you may find this thread useful and interesting.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/321775-welcome-fleet-1976-w115-114-300d-dark-green.html


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you can blow those ? like the brushes ? I tried removing it but the tiny little flat head screws are sucha ***** to get off. especially with not alot of room in their. The wires going to the regulator were frayed a little and exposed metal, could it have grounded out on the alternator ?

Answer
 

Yes, a loose battery connection on a running engine can blow the voltage regulator.

Grounding the wrong alternator wire to the case can blow the voltage regulator.

Pictures of the wired damage, may help diagnosis.

I agree, the screws are a PIA in the tight space, IMO it is slightly easier to remove the alternator and work on a bench.

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FYI
 

You really need to read this
I have documented many issues on my daughters 1976 300D in this thread.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/321775-welcome-fleet-1976-w115-114-300d-dark-green.html

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Would having a blown voltage regulator prevent it from starting ? Even with a fully charged battery

Answer
 

No.
Odds are there is a glow plug or valve adjustment issue.
Seriously plugged fuel filters can also be a factor.

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The glow plug light comes on, yet I don't here any click or noise from the relay, would the light come on if there was a problem? I'm about to replace all the inline filters and do a valve adjustment also probably switch over to the pencil type plugs, I'll let yah know how it goes

But now that it wont even turn over, it just clicks , you could assume its the starter ?

Okaay so I'm dumb and just realized the ground cable looked a bit corroded , re did the wire , started right up! Now onto the preventative maintance

If the ground or positive wire are bulging from corrosion....I would replace them....well matter a fact..... I would upgrade them now to a thicker gauge....call it preventive maintenance...

Okay so went to start this morning and no glow plug light, bot sure if maybe the battery just doesnt have enough juice to do it . When I crank it the gp light will comeon an it'll crank but no start .. Can I think it doesnt have enough power or replace gp's