1976 240D -CHASSIS #115 -EURO MODEL WON'T START

My alternator belt broke. I replaced the belt and I also replaced the glow plugs.

I've only had the car a few months...Now
the car won't start up without me spraying THRUST starter spray for diesels! Then it starts right up. If I let it set for a few hours. It won't start up again. The glow plug light had already stopped coming on.
Is this serious? My instrument panel does not light up. The gas gauge doesn't work. It drives great. I love it. It does have a little knocking in the front sometimes when you're waiting at the light. Sometimes when going up the freeway ramp. It won't have as much power. Other times it flys up there. It doesn't smoke that much. So no problem there. It doesn't use oil or get hot. I enjoy working on cars. If I have the proper instructions. I can pretty much do a lot of things myself. Since I've had this problem I've been considering maybe selling this car and getting another one. A newer model. Or just one in better shape. I know I have to put it in the shop for some of these problems. I hope someone out there can help me with some of these problems. I really don't like being blind when I go to a dealership. I would like to kind of know what's going on with my car. I have found out I have an insulator missing. I went to global auto parts so they could check for me.
Thanks in advance, Loretta

[stevebfl]

A US 115 body 240D would have the old push/pull type starter/glow switch.

In this system there is no glow until you are pulling and holding tention against the spring loaded glow switch. just placing the knob in a position doesn't do it. The act of glowing uses so much current that the electric bulbs in the dash will dim when the system is working.

If it is working after 20 seconds or so the heater element behind the grill (black circle with holes in it) will start glowing red. It glows because it is HOT. I used to start my old 190Db by holding it till my finger felt the heat and then pulled to start.

During starting the dash heater coil is disconnected (by-passed) to increase current at the lower voltage of cranking. The engines glow plugs will continue to glow till the starter is released.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

[This message has been edited by stevebfl (edited 04-21-2000).]

Steve thanks for your reply. My glowplug light doesn't glow at all. If I replace the Glowplug fuse do you think that will help?

Loretta,

If the fuse is indeed bad, and it seems that that is what you found according to your other post, that will indeed keep the dash control from working. I'm quite sure that the missing insulator is what blew the fuse. Make sure the circuit is all back together correctly before replacing the fuse.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[stevebfl]

So I'm confused. Just which kind of glow system does a euro 115 chassis 240D have.

I have never seen a 115 240D that has automatic glow or glow fuses. Manual glow systems as all 115 chassis 4 cylinder diesels had don't work as described above. Tell me how you glow your car.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Steve,

Does the manual glow plug system on the 115 not have a bar type fuse? It sounded as if Loretta had found one. Since she was missing an insulator, I figured that the short circuit probably blew the fuse and I sent her looking for it.

I'm familiar with the circuit on the engine, but know nothing about the manual glow plug system, but I just assumed it had a fuse somewhere.

Thanks,
Larry

[stevebfl]

No Larry,

No fuse on the manual glow systems. Since she found a fuse I'm confused as to what system the car has. Maybe she has a 240D 3.0(bg). Then again I thought I saw 115.117 somewhere.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

[This message has been edited by stevebfl (edited 04-30-2000).]

I want to apologize for not checking back again. I had parked my Bessie fow awhile. I had to order insulator's twice from mercedes because it was sent back by mistake the first time. And then I had to wait on book and CD I ordered.
I didn't see the note about my not or shouldn't have the flat metal fuse. I had been told it was in a black box and since I saw a black box. I assumed that was it.
After checking the car throughly I couldn't find one. I just happened to look back at my ad because I had put another one there. Thanks guys for all your help