No Start...glow plugs?

All right folks, I have a good one. After 405K miles, my 1985 300D decided that it was not going to start the other day. I pulled into the garage, shut the car off and realized that I was not all the way in, and tried to restart. Nothing:-(

Thinking starter or solenoid, I checked wiring, stumbled across a badley corroded #12 wire at the battery post, repaired it, still no start. When I turn the key to just before start, everything dims in the car, the dash lites, etc. When I go all the way to start, I hear straining.

Checked wiring, fuses, and stumbled across the glow plug relay. I found that if I unplug the glow plug cabling from the relay, everything seems to work fine. The starter even works.

Now, why when I remove one wire at a time from the glow plugs did I not find the problem. Only if ALL wires are off the glow plugs does the starter turn. How do you check the glow plugs! Is this my problem??

[JimSmith]

Inverterman,

I agree with TXBill, the battery is too weak to supply both the glow plug circuit and the starter at the same time. A Diesel will run with bad alternator brushes, not recharging the battery, and apparently not give an indication. I have detected this as a slight, deep red glowof the charging indicator light (battery symbol) on the dash at night. Apparently the alternator brushes are part of the circuit that lights the light and if the brushes are really shot, the signal to trigger the light is lost. A wierd circuit and leads to confusion.

So, unless the battery is just old, it would seem the alternator is in need of some attention. This is a frequent topic here, and depending on the condition of the brushes when you take them out (pull a spring clip off the wire plugged into the back of the alternator, unscrew two screws in the ears of the flanged joint and roll the Voltage regulator out. The brushes are an integral part of the Voltage regulator assembly), it is possible the brushes are just worn. IF they are unevenly worn, or there is gouging of the brush wear surface you need a rebuilt alternator. I would recommend the FastLane offerings based on excellent experience with a starter I bought from them.

Good luck and keep piling those miles on! Jim

You guys are right on track. Thank you. I did some checking this morning and found that the battery has a bad cell. I looked at this much to complicated. It makes sense that a weak or damaged battery could not possibly take the load of the glow plugs and starter.

You guys are great. For the record, I replaced the alternator brushes, speedometer, center vent actuator, master door lock control in drivers door, rekeyed the car, rotors, calipers, wheel bearings, upper and lower ball joints, heater fan, a/c compressor, and brake master cylnder.

Car body is rough but she still does 100 mph! No engine work watsoever, just oil changes; chevron delo, every 3500 miles and fuel filter changes every 15K. 4 ounces of Howes Lubricator, "Meaner Power Kleaner" in every tank of fuel. Rare dark metallic greay paint and sienna interior. I am having fun keeping everything working!

Other Diesels in the family:

2002 GMC 2500HD, Duramax Diesel, supercab (work truck)
1997 Ford F250HD, Power Stroke Diesel, Supercab 4X4 fitted with 2001 Lance 845 Camper (32,565miles)

Jim Stevens

Hi Bill,

The Duramax is slightly quieter and seems to be smoother around town. I am not happy with the tow feel. It seems to "tweak" a bit more. What I mean is the Ford seems to have a solid foundation, not as much flexing in and out of driveways, etc.

I am spoiled with the Powerstroke since I put the Banks Power Pack on. I am pushing 400 horses with just inder 750 ft lbs of torque. In four wheel drive I can smoke all four tires on dry pavement. I cheated a bit on the exhaust side by removing the catalysist material in the converter.

I forgot to tell you that Mercedes gave me a brand new turbo because of a faulty trap oxidizer. A requirement for California Emissions. The car had 190K on it when they gave me the turbo set. It is pretty zippy. If it is a little dewy outside, the rear breaks loose if I stay in the throttle. Smoke under load is normal. You probably did the car a favor by burning that carbon crap out of the top end. I drive mine hard nearly everyday. Knock on wood she is still performing very well.

Jim

[The Warden]

Hey Jim, just wondering...you ever been over to Ford-Diesel.com? I ask 'cause I'm a regular over there as well (you can guess why; see my sig )...same handle as here.

Glad to hear you got the hard start problem figured out...

TxBill,

You have immortalized my quote! It is truely a remarkable thing. I hear that the Dodge Cummins squeaks out more torque and maybe a bit more horsepower.

Pretty amazing. Gale Banks really has it together with respect to Diesels. Will the hundreds of thousands of Mercedes Diesels on the road maybe we could get Banks to design some performance mods.

Jim