I haven't driven my '83 300d in a week. Today I got in, turned the key, waited for the coil light to go off, and nothing...the lights and radio work, but nothing else happens. I don't know even know where to start.

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[/SIGPIC]1983 Mercedes 300d
1989 Lincoln Town Car, base
1998 Lincoln Town Car, Signature Series
2008 Jaguar XJ8 L

Did you hear the starter motor? Did the engine crank? Have you checked your battery voltage?

Dkr.

Don't laugh, but is the gear selector in Park?

These cars were built before the "runaway Audi 5000" crisis in the late 80s. They do not have the now customary interlocking between the brake, key, and gear selector. It is possible to leave the selector in D, shut off, and remove the key.

There is an electrical interlock that inhibits the starter motor if the transmission is not in P or N.

Had to do a rescue call on my son not long after we got the 240D for this reason.

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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

There is a plastic box on the passenger side fender with some electric junctions. Put the trans in park. Set the parking brake. Turn the key to the run position. Let it glow. Now jump terminals 2 & 4 counting from the back. Engine should crank and start.

To troubleshoot, the easiest thing is to Google "no crank ". These cars are like all of the others and there are lots of detailed instructions available.

Post any specific questions that come up.

If you don't hear anything when you turn the key, you can try moving transmission into neutral to bypass the safety neutral switch.

Dkr.

What you said is a good thing to do but it does not bypass the neutral safety switch. It moves the neutral saftey switch into a new position where the contact area is hopfully not burned or corroded.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Pretty much as the others have said. If the Starter is not cranking it can be the Neutral Safety Switch and/or the Shifter Bushings.

In the pic below is on the front right fender. If you Starter crankes when you jump there it the Neutral Safety Switch and/or the Shifter Bushings.

If the Starter does not Crank you have batter or other issues.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

A loose Chassis-to-Engine Ground Strap can give you the same symptoms.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )