looks like a concensus.
Yes the clamps are in sorry shape. I would have replaced the clamps but they appeared to be sort of molded around the cable in a permanent fashon.

Brian, When attempting restarts the battery seems to hold its own and doesnt start spinning any slower untill after you have been abusing it for a real long time.

123 300D Im not sure I follow you. R U saying to put the negative probe on the neg side and then while cranking on the postitive side compare the difference in voltage between the prob being on the post and on the clamp?

Tomorrow I will attempt start by using the "glow plug 2x 40 seconds each time, pedal to floor and dont stop for nothin technique"
If that does not work I will not jump it off but rather cut off the existing clamps and go get new ones and see if that does the trick. If it starts immediatly after that then that would mean for sure it was the clamps.

OK, then the battery has proven that it is OK. The cabling is definitely suspect. Or, the grounds are suspect. Both need to be checked carefully.

Glow 2x 40 seconds each time. Excellent.

DO NOT put pedal on floor. Press pedal down 1/4 way to floor and leave key in position three (start) until you are POSITIVE that it is running on its own. Then release key.

Note, however, that if it does not start in 30 seconds, maximum, you must stop and let the starter cool off for three minutes. Otherwise, you will be replacing the starter very soon.

Started this morning. It wasnt near as cold though. +2c. Held pedal to floor 1 plug till I heard a click, then plug till I thought I was seconds away from the click. It spun up and sounded like it was 'hittin on all cylinders' but wasnt fired up all the way. I kept spinning it for 10 or 15 seconds like this. Third start reattempt without new plug cycleing and it fired up.
Replacing the clamps is on the agenda for today. Here is a stupid question, the clamps are kind of molded on to the cables (presumably these are the original clamps). Are these meant to be hacksawed off when you replace them?

angst,

What Clamps are you talking about, the battery post terminals?

Yes, if you want to replace them, you have to saw off the terminals.

However I have never seen any replacement terminals that are much good. It would be better to replace the entire cable.

P E H

I agree do entire cables.....you can't do a good enough crimp at him and bolt ons just don't do a good job............they will get you home in a pinch.....but thats all they are good for IMHO

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
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