Heres what just happened....returning to office from lunch...about 1 mile distance. I started the car and heard a low droning noise while driving....got into the parking lot, opened hood (engine running), droning near turbo area....then shut off ignition....loud droning noise still there...I realized it was the starter running. I disconnected the battery terminal (obviously starter went off) then I "jolted" the starter a couple of times by tapping the negative lead onto the battery terminal....then "clunk" ..starter disengaged. Now, the car is dead (starter dead). My question is, when I turn off the ignition key and then turn it on in preparation to start, I dont get the glow plug dash light to glow. The I cant imagine that the battery is dead...the starter was still cranking when I disconnected it.

If I put a new starter in, would I expect the glow plug circuit to now work ok. I.E. is the glow plug circuit connected to the starter in some way......

Thanks,

Mark

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)

Mark,

Check your glow plug relay fuse. It is possible the relay did not shut off after the normal time out period because the starter was engaged for so long, and burned out the fuse. It is a plain flat metal piece with two holes in it for the screws that hold it in contact with the electrical terminals. The box for the relay is, at least on a 240D, on the driver's side inner wheel well. Good luck, and I hope this helps. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)