yesterday i tried to start the car (83 300d). it was very cold all day. i turned the glow plugs on 3 times and turned to the starter. the car turned over about 12-14 times then quit. now i turn the key and the glow plug light comes on but continue the turn and no start. the motor doesnt turn, the starter doesnt kick over.
if i jump the fusible link it will turn and start
does this tell me the link is bad or how can i test this for sure

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rodney

i have looked for any fuse that might be blown and cant find one. its 9 degrees outside and i'm lost. should the fusable link be solid or closed across all three wires coming off it.
any help is greatly appreciated

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rodney

I had a 81 300D and it wouldn't start in cold weather unless plugged in for a while. Your battery may have ran down from trying to turn over the engine. You may have to recharge and plug your car in assuming it has a block heater.

Where in Central WA ar you located? I'm in Oroville.

I was able to start my 82 300TD this morning at 17 degrees F, but last winter over New Years, I was unable to do so for a few days. You need to have a strong battery, if yours is over four years old, I would consider replacement. When you glow, let it glow until you hear the relay click off, this usually takes about 60-70 seconds. I do that at least twice, then glow until the light goes off and count to 30 and try. It is really helpful if your valves are recently adjusted, I usually do mine in the fall, and Synthetic oil is also worthwhile.

At 9 degrees, it's doubtful that you'll start. If you have a block heater, it significantly increases your chances of starting down to about 0 degrees. If you have a space heater or high wattage bulb (like a halogen worklight) youcould attempt to heat the engine compartment from underneath, concentrating on the oil pan.

Once you have the batt charged and completed your glow cycles, keep the engine turning over until the engine starts or the battery dies. Your starter is up to this task.

Let me know how it goes.

Happy Motoring

RBM

Diesel MB engines need several things for good cold-weather starting:

1. the right fuel for the season
2. working glow-plug system
3. a GOOD battery (usually no more than 3 years old)
4. good compression (e.g., by regular valve adjustments)
5. fast-enough cranking.


#5 above is related to the health of the battery, but also to the viscosity of the oil. It's been shown (don't have my finger on the reference right this instant but have seen it with my own eyes) that synthetic oil SIGNIFCANTLY improves cold cranking speed, and thus should help with building enough compression heat to start in cold weather.

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Steve
'93 400E

i replaced the battery. same issue, everything works as it should except the key will not activate the starter. the dash lights dim with a voltage drop but nothing happens.
i use delo 400 oil, chevron product

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rodney

i'm in moses lake,wa. 7 degrees this morning. at least the wind stopped blowing

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rodney

We were through Moses Lake on the evening of Jan 2nd, on our way home from Oregon. It was wicked cold!

Sounds as if your solenoid is sticking. Try this:

have someone turn the key to the start position and hold it there.
using a bar, rap the solenoid with a hammer, a good solid tap should do.

I've used a crowbar and a hammer with good results. If that doesn't do the trick, you'll probably have to replace the starter.

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Happy Motoring

RBM

if turn the key to the on position, and use a jumper wire at the fusible link, it starts. the starter works, i drive the car to and from work every day, i just cant start it with the key. its like a fuse blew

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rodney

Sorry about my lack of attention to detail. It sounds as if you may have a bad switch portion of the key. It's the actual electrical portion of the switch assembly.

I don't know that there is a fuse in that circuit.

Maybe someone else can assist...?

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Happy Motoring

RBM

thankyou rb for your opinions, they are greatly appreciated. i'll keep looking

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rodney

replaced the key assembly, problem solved

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rodney