Car refused to start....grr....just had a slow spin....honda civic jumped me (snicker) and I was good. Seems my alternator belt was loose as well as the grounding cable from the battery being corroded....moved the ground cable to another location, charged the battery. Now instead of charging to a max of 13.4 volts, it charges to 13.9. I hope this solves problem. Only 23 degrees today, and only sitting for seven hours. I had it sitting overnight (after battery was fully charged at Autozone) in 15 degree temps and it fired up immediately. All new glow plugs as well. Hope this fixes it.

One of the most important things you can do is make ABSOLUTELY sure the battery cables and their connections are good. The cables can develop hidden corrosion so check them well. Clean the connections with a wire brush and coat them with grease or battery terminal protector spray when you have them good and tight. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Sounds to me like you have your starting problem solved...

Backyard remedy for battery cable, terminal & battery pan corrosion.... pour coca-cola on the acidic build up and watch it disappear.

That's right folks, Coca-Cola..... i dont know if its the carbonation or the cola itself that disolves corrosive build up - but it works.

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'80 300SD/ w116
'79 240D 4-spd
'71 750cc Guzzi

previously owned:

'83 240D 4-spd
'77 280SEL 4-spd
'74 280/8
'72 250/8
'65 220Sb 4-spd
'63 220Sb 4-spd
'63 190c 4-spd
'61 220Sb 4-spd
'60 190b 4-spd

Yup I've used coke too. It works.

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1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new)
1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore)

1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have)
1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold