95 E300 D, 240k miles.

1. The SRS light doesn't come on when I turn the key to position 2. This started about 2 weeks ago and I didn't do anything on the car before that. Any ideas? Can I somehow check if the SRS light is dead?

2. The glow plug light also doesn't come on when I turn the key to position 2 to pre-warm. I wait about 30 sec or so, then it comes on. After about 90 seconds it goes off and I start the car. It does start rough so I think one or more glow plugs are gone. I read some posts on the Forum here and will do the check with removing the wiring from the GP relay and test the resistance. These glow plugs have less than 8k on them, but they weren't OEM I think. I will also check if the connectors on the glow plugs are sitting well and not loose. As for glow plugs, do you guys always get the Bosch OEM? Does anyone have any experience with some other ones?

3. The car seems to smoke a lot more than when I bought it couple of years ago. Especially when it is idling. The smoke is white. What could it be?

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Bad glow plugs or pesky overload protection relay in back of battery.

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-- Chris

'95 E300, 216k miles, Silver Surfer
'05 E320 CDI, 138k miles
'07 S550 4matic, 69k miles

Gone but not forgotten:

'76 300D, 350k miles?, SOLD in 1995
'75 240D, 300k miles, SOLD in 1991

Your GP light behaviour suggests at least one bad glow plug. Bosch or beru are my favourite. White smoke after startup accompanied by rough idle also suggests a bad glow plug. I assume when the engine is warm no smoke?

Yes, there is a bit less smoke when warm but still too much smoke in my opinion. I'll replace the glow plugs and see what happens.

Any ideas on the SRS light?

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How is the engine cooling antifreeze water level? Is it down a bit or did you add a any lately? Have you checked your engine oil level and what color is it? Once the GP light comes on after the the key is turned and the GP light comes on start the car do not wait the additional 90 seconds. The odd light behaviour is the systems way to let you know you have an issue.

SRS light - I would pull the cluster and change the bulb and see if that helps. If not check the fuse.

Glow plugs - there are lots of threads on this. Beware you have the OM606 with the glow plugs that have a history of getting stuck/broken off in the head.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

I haven't checked the coolant or added anything lately. But I will check it now.
Now that you ask, the oil is about a year old since the car was sitting the past 11 months. I will change the oil this weekend. Hopefully the car will run until then

Just ordered new Bosch glow plugs.
Does anyone use the reamer to clean the glow plug holes when replacing those?

Thanks.

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Take Jay-bob's advise and do some reading regarding replacing the glow plugs on your engine. I would definitely ream and I think you will too once you do a bit of reading regarding your engine and glow plugs.

the SRS lamp will go cuckoo if the battery voltage is a bit low. It also goes flaky if the OVP relay is taking a nap

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Thanks for the tips. I already replaced the glow plugs about a year ago so I have some experience. I actually replaced the head gasket, that took me a while
I'll check the battery voltage as well. I bought it new, it is less than a year old.

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Did you check OVP?

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-- Chris

'95 E300, 216k miles, Silver Surfer
'05 E320 CDI, 138k miles
'07 S550 4matic, 69k miles

Gone but not forgotten:

'76 300D, 350k miles?, SOLD in 1995
'75 240D, 300k miles, SOLD in 1991

Just to post the outcome of this.
Checked all glow plugs, nr. 5 was bad, replaced it and the GP light issue is gone. The car starts easier and also smokes less.
The SRS light started working as well (!). It does go off much before all the other lights when I turn the key to the "pre-warm glow plugs" position.
I didn't check the OVP but I assume it is good. Thanks

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