'Moved this one over from the Diesel forum.

Today, 11:06 PM
a52daveh a52daveh is online now
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 13
Question A DEAD 92 300TE 4Matic
Hi folks,

This is what happened with me today.

Had to jump start this vehicle, I never have to do that?

Drove it one mile and put some fuel in it.

Drove it 1/2 mile more and when turning to go on the interstate it was like my power steering pump went out. I got her pulled over to the shoulder and found that the engine was not running.

Tried to restart - all the normal dash lights are on and absolutely no sounds at all when trying to start her.

Turned on my radio - plenty of power. Turned on my headlights - nice and bright. The interior lights - nice and bright. Flashers - plenty of power. Yet she will not even try to start ????

Opened the hood everything looked OK except one thing. The hydraulic reservoir lid was extending approximately three inches out of the reservoir?????

A few days ago I thought I heard a squeaky belt. So I opened the hood checked the belt and the tension and it all seemed fine to me. However, when applying this belt squeak stopper stuff I noticed that right after I sprayed around the tension pulley the noise would stop for a short time and then start again.

Any clue as to where to start looking for this no start challenge? Also checked all the fuses this evening - they all appear to be fine. And, YES Marshall I did replace all the fuses approximately one month ago.


Dave H...

sounds like a bad alternator or perhaps a slipping vbelt causing a low charge

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michael cole 1980 300SD gone now but not forgotten,87tdt,90 300te 4matic 95 e320 wagon

Verifying battery condition by looking at ones headlights is useless. Headlights take about ten amps. A starter easily takes 200amps. A voltmeter across the terminals while attempting to start is the way you verify the battery isn't the issue. When the battery stays at 12+ volts and there is no crank, it isn't the battery. The next step is to see if the 12+v at the other end of the battery cable (the starter) is also staying at 12+v. If it doesn't the voltmeter needs to move up the circuit to the battery and find the resistance.

If it does then the term 50 activation signal needs the same evaluation. A dead battery jumped to start a car will get you nowhere if the alternator isn't supporting it.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thanks so much for the excellent insight guys.

I will check all of that out on Monday.


Dave H...