Need Help 82 300D Dead
 

Thanks in advance.Last night I replaced the drivers side headlight.After replacement(pretty routine ) turned headlights on to check hi/lo beam & all worked well.Next I turned headlight switch off ,got in & turned ignition switch to start & noticed no glowplug light,radio or anything else came on.Removed key from ignition,tried again with no luck.Removed battery cables from battery,cleaned then reconnected.Battery voltage is @ 13vdc.Tried jumpering from anther vehicle & nothing changed.Would appreciate any suggestions on where to start diagnosing.

1. I would think back through the timing of it. Was it coincidental that it occured with the headlight fix? Or could it have occured prior to that.

2. If related to the headlight deal, i'd take it out and look. Look at the wires to the headlight and ALSO at the wires to the turn signal side deal. That is where I've found shorts more than one time.

Don

Make sure the supply cable to the starter is tight too. Should not have anything to do with the headlight though.

assume you checked through the fuse box ?

Not trying to be a S.A. but I would start with a wiring diagram.

Sorry I`m late responding, just got back in town.The next day after this happened the car started perfectly as if nothing happened(that makes you cringe).Drove it for a few days and then it happened again.This time while key was in off position and door open,I turned key to start ,moved shifter from park thru all gears & nothing then the steering wheel left & right a few times & buzzer started,went to start & like magic it got me home.The next morning dead as a hammer again,but could not repeat the magic again.Any ideas?Maybe new ignition switch, tumbler or steering lock?

It certainly could be something inside the ignition assembly, although turning the wheel may have been a fluke.

The tumbler.. if it were the problem you would likely be unable to turn the key.

If you want to disect your assembly I've been working on a site.. albeit a bit slowly lately that goes into some detail on disassembly of the thing.

http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jjs5772/W123/

Thanks for the info!I`m going to try to diagnose this tonite.I`ll give an update asap that may help someone else.

Check the main ground strap from the engine to the chassis and the brackets, if any, it attaches to. Check also the connection of the battery to chassis grounding cable.

I've been down this same road with my car. Found the bracket loose on the engine. Exact same symptoms of start one time perfectly next time not even a click.

Won't start
 

Sperry,

I had a similiar problem awhile back and the problem turned out to be the key tumbler was dirty and wouldn't allow the key to turn all the way over to "start". I put some rags under the key area on the floor and shot some carbuerator cleaner into the tumbler. After several applications resulting in very dirty glop coming out, the key worked fine and has every since. Hope this helps.

Ben

Hope you went back later and shot some powdered graphite into the tumbler. Otherwise some day that thing will freeze up on you.

Not to mention you probably 'cleaned' out all of the grease that lubricates the steering wheel lock mechanism.

Thanks.I plan on trying to diagnose this tonite.Will report bk.

Does anyone know a quick way to get it started by jumpering some wires somewhere? I need to move it so I can work on it.Thanks again.

another member had to do that.

here:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=86132

Thanks.I`ll give it a try tonite if Ivan doesn`t wash the car away!