Cool, thanks for the advice. the 15 second crank seemed OK, but I don't know what is normal for these cars starting near 0 deg F with no block heater.

kerry, thank you for the jumping advice.

ill also look at and clean my electrical connections.

Maybe related or not, when I press on the accelerator the lights get slightly brighter, and then dim down to normal when I let off the pedal. i would think voltage regulator...i havent looked at it yet.

dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car