hey all,

My 82 just underwent an engine swap.

The engine donor wouldn't charge batteries, and had killed 2 batteries for the PO, so I swapped the alternator with a known good one from the original motor.

Have driven the vehicle now 6 or 7 days and 150 miles with all smiles. But, this morning, no start - dead battery. AAA jump started.

- charge light on dash never on during operation (but comes on normally at start-up)
- 12.60V charging voltage
- I swapped the regulator with a known good one. Same results.
- I read another thread here that a stuck GP relay can cause the symptoms.
- Removed the GP relay connector. Charging voltage now 13.4V
- then removed + lead from battery - 'unloaded' charging voltage now 14.4V
- plug the GP relay in and the then voltage drops to 12.6V (even after several minutes ,one after GP relay should be off)

- tested resistance of the glow plugs, seem to be OK (1.2ohms), but noticed inconsistent results with sometimes the plugs all showing a .2 ohm short to the engine block. need to re-verify

How could the glow plugs (pencil style) or wiring harness cause this issue? And why wouldn't it blow the strip fuse?

Any help much appreciated. I have a spare harness, but Id like to root cause it first.

Thanks,
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