I think I ran the 300SD too low on fuel, cranked it a lot and it wouldn't start. Filled it back up, ready to follow the directions on how to crank it to bleed. However, it turned about 1 1/2 times, then the battery would go no mo', it would just click. Recharged the battery (at Autozone, it was brand new anyway), but the same click is all I get. Can't hotshot it, either. Glow plugs warm (light goes off, anyhow), all other functions seem to work, but when you try to start, it gives one click from the (?)regulator? (small black box in the front driver's side of the engine compartment). Is this a regulator problem, if that's even what that box is? Or is it something else? I've no idea, and it has been sitting for a while and I would kind of like to get it started.

thesportswriter,

The starter is definitely suspect! After thoroughly checking the battery cable connections at both ends, I would use a voltmeter to see if there is voltage at the primary starter solenoid connection when turning the key to start. If the battery is properly charged and strong, and there is voltage present at the large cable to the starter solenoid, and present at the primary wire when turning the key to start, it has to be the starter.

One note here, I have seen more than one battery from AutoZone weak from the getgo. Sometimes they don't rotate their stock and you get one that's been sitting on their shelf for months and months. Those weak ones were common batteries too, not one with less sales demand like a Benz diesel battery. Just something to think about. Also I'm not throwing rocks at AutoZone, it's probably just our local AutoZone that is run that way.

Good Luck,


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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles