For the newer cars, a flashing glow plug light means a glowplug is out. No flashing and no light means at least two are out -- there may be a pattern to the # of flashes (my 220D has a glow element in the dash -- when it is orange, it starts when you pull the knob the rest of the way!).

They start slow without all the glowplugs. The new pencil type don't seem to last as long as the old filament type.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!